UN in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Releases 2023 Annual Results Report: Building Resilience Together

Bridgetown, Barbados – May 23rd, 2024 - The United Nations in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean today launched its 2023 Annual Results Report, reflecting on the collective efforts of the UN Sub-regional Team in partnership with regional Governments and partners, undertaken in the second year of the Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2022-2026).

The report, titled “Building Resilience Together in the Eastern Caribbean,” highlights the region’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) amidst a challenging year. 

Progress Despite Challenges

Despite various shocks, the Annual Report demonstrates the resilience of the  Governments and people of Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, who have partnered with the UN Development System, alongside civil society and other international development partners, to advance national priorities in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.

In reflecting on the past year, outgoing UN Resident Coordinator, Didier Trebucq, noted that 2023 continued to be a challenging one for Caribbean SIDS, who over the past two years have grappled with multiple and compound crises, including the lingering effects of COVID-19, natural disasters, and the war in Ukraine, which continued to impact food and fuels costs, key sectors, including tourism and trade, and bring to light deep-rooted inequalities and disparities in our societies.

Notwithstanding, our partnership with regional Governments remained strong and this year, were able to support our countries to achieve several transformational results. These include  advancing the food security agenda, promoting sustainable livelihoods, supporting digitalization across multiple sectors, including health and social services, and enhancing disaster risk reduction, through integrated policy support, increasing access to climate finance, and scaling up multi-hazard early warnings."
 

Leaving No One Behind

Central to the joint work of the UN Sub-regional team has been efforts to ensure that No One is Left Behind. To this end, the 2023 Report emphasizes the UN’s commitment to inclusive development, highlighting determined efforts to champion the inclusion of vulnerable groups, particularly persons with disabilities, in decision-making processes. This included a landmark regional consultation on disability rights and participation. The UN has also continued to support the advancement of anti-discrimination measures for women, girls, and the LGBTQI+ community, while amplifying youth voices in decision-making and strengthening partnerships with the private sector and other key actors, in its advocacy efforts. 

Despite the gains made, the Resident Coordinator, emphasized that there was still more work to be done. 

While together with our partners, we have made significant strides, there is still much work left to be done as we seek to raise our ambition even further on the Global Goals.
 

Looking Forward with Hope

The 2023 Annual Results Report concludes with a message of hope, underscoring the power of collaboration in overcoming adversity. The UN remains committed to ensuring our collective efforts to promote a sustainable future for all as we advance towards the 2030 Agenda. 

Download the Report

The 2023 Annual Results Report: Building Resilience Together in the Eastern Caribbean is available for download on the website of the UN in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean: bit.ly/UNAnnualReport23
 

Contact:

Carol A. Gaskin  

Programme Communications and Advocacy Officer

UN Resident Coordinator Office, Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean

carol-ann.gaskin@un.org; +1 (246) 832-6110