UN Reviews 2024-2025 Support to Grenada Under Country Implementation Plan

ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA – The United Nations' support to Grenada came under review on Thursday, during a hybrid meeting to assess the 2024–2025 UN Country Implementation Plan (CIP).

Government officials, UN representatives, and program beneficiaries convened to evaluate progress under the CIP, which is aligned with the broader UN Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) for the region.

Merina Jessamy, Permanent Secretary, with responsibility for  Economic Development, Planning and Co-Operatives, and UN MSDCF Focal Point, led the discussions, reaffirming the plan’s commitment to inclusivity. "The proposed actions align with both the UN’s and the Government of Grenada’s policy to Leave No One Behind," she stated.

Ms. Jessamy told the forum, the CIP continues to introduce several targeted projects to address issues and challenges which affect vulnerable populations, and other issues identified through stakeholder consultations, including support for women-owned businesses, skills training for vulnerable groups and social protection.

“The activities of the CIP are cross-cutting across multiple sectors – education, health, economic and social development, and labour – and target women, children, adolescents/youth, disadvantaged and vulnerable populations, including persons living with disabilities,” she explained.

Ms. Jessamy further noted that under this framework Grenada will benefit through training, capacity building, and community empowerment, alongside strengthened data collection systems to address marginalization and discrimination. 

The Permanent Secretary also praised the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Barbados and other development partners for their assistance in conducting post-disaster needs assessments (PDNAs), following the passage of Hurricane Beryl, which helped determine Grenada’s recovery requirements. “The sterling support received to conduct the post-disaster needs assessments (PDNAs) assisted us to calculate the recovery needs in order to rebuild with a focus on resilience and sustainable development,” she said.

Head of the UN Resident Coordinator Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Kenroy Roach who delivered opening remarks, emphasised the UN’s commitment to Grenada’s sustainable development.

“We know that no country is on track to achieve the SDGs, so I hope that as we review our achievements, shortcomings, we can also identify opportunities and entry points to support Grenada in its quest to accelerate the SDGs, ”he said. 

Referencing Grenada’s ongoing post-Hurricane Beryl recovery, Mr. Roach reiterated the UN’s ongoing support towards climate resilience efforts and assisting the government in revising its Nationally Determined Contributions.

“As Beryl has shown us, achieving climate resilience is an existential imperative, and rest assured that you have a committed partner in the UN.”

During her presentation, UN Country Coordination Officer, Feona Sandy, who is based in Grenada, revealed that 48% of Grenada’s funding for 2024-2025 was allocated to climate resilience, while 38% supported economic resilience. Additionally, she noted, that 10% was directed toward peace, safety, justice, and the rule of law, and 4% towards promoting equality, well-being, and Leaving No One Behind (LNOB).

The forum also served as the platform for the launch and inauguration of the youth-led 17x30 Initiative, an action plan aimed at accelerating SDG progress in schools , through student advocacy. Central to this was the selection of the first cohort of SDG Champions from the Grenada Boys’ Secondary School and St. Joseph’s Convent St. Andrew.

In their joint remarks, Elon James and Shadel Stafford, co-founders of the Initiative through their Non-Governmental Organisation, Preparation for Active Citizenship Inc. (PFAC), underscored the critical role of youth in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"Involving youth is not just one way to accelerate progress on the SDGs—it is essential for fostering long-term, sustainable change through innovation," they maintained.