Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Countries Celebrate UN 80 with Awareness Campaigns

The United Nations Barbados and Eastern Caribbean celebrated UN 80 with several activities aimed at promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN's enduring partnership with and support to the Caribbean region, as the United Nations globally observed its 80th anniversary, under the global theme: "Building our Future Together".

Barbados Team  Kicks off  UN 80 with Visit by Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Launch of UN 80 Electric Bus

In Barbados, UN80 activities kicked off with a visit to UN House by Prime Minister the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, who was met  on arrival by  UN Resident Coordinator, Simon Springett. During the visit, the Prime Minister was introduced to all Heads of Agencies, and other staff members, before posing for a commemorative photo with over 100 staff members on the steps of UN House. In delivering a brief informal address, Ms. Mottley thanked staff for their commitment and support to the region, while underscoring the need for the UN to continue to evolve and reform, at a time when multilateralism was under severe threat.

Activities continued on UN Day, with the launch of a UN80 branded  bus,  in collaboration with the Barbados Transport Board. The bus, which depicts the various populations served by the UN, including persons with disabilities, also features the SDGs, and a  UN Peace Campaign on the back. As part of the Transport Board's regular fleet providing daily transportation services, the bus is expected to traverse the streets for the next four months, reaching  thousands of Barbadian commuters, including youth and the elderly, with the message of  UN  80th anniversary and over 50 years of partnership in Barbados. As part of its advocacy, the bus also features the logos of all 23 Agencies, Funds and Programmes that work in the region.

In delivering his UN Day message, RC Springett,  expressed gratitude for the support and partnership extended to the UN  by Governments and communities across the Eastern Caribbean, noting that we are stronger together.

The world, and the Eastern Caribbean, are facing a multitude of  interrelated challenges. Climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss coupled with issue of access for financing for development. We all feel the enormity of responsibility to support citizens and communities – to leave no one behind. Future generations depends on the choices we make – or fail to make – today. 

UN Day School Visits, a highlight of UN Day activities for the past three years, also featured in the UN80 celebrations. UN Heads of Agencies and technical staff from across several agencies, including ITU, WFP, UNDP and IOM, visited several primary and secondary schools across the island , highlighting the importance of the SDGs  and providing greater insight into the work of the UN.

As part of its UN80 advocacy, the UN also displayed SDG-focused outreach  messages at public facilities, including bus shelters across four locations, digital display screens on the main highway along the island's South Coast and at one of the island's most popular malls. 

Antigua and Barbuda launches SDG Wall to mark UN 80

In Antigua and Barbuda, UN 80 was observed with the unveiling and formal launch of  a vibrant  SDG Mural. The ceremony which featured participation from the Government, as well as the UN Resident Coordinator Office, took place along Independence Avenue, in an area just outside of the Antigua Recreation Grounds. Guided by the theme “Building Our Future Together – Everyone Counts,” the mural was created through a community-driven process involving local youth, persons with disabilities, and civil society organizations. The artwork visually represents the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, symbolizing Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to inclusive development and the 2030 Agenda. The milestone event also provided an opportunity to reflect on Antigua and Barbuda’s progress and reaffirm its commitment to climate resilience, social inclusion, and sustainable growth.

“Today’s unveiling is more than an artistic achievement—it is a statement of our collective resolve and a lasting reminder that everyone counts in the nation’s journey of progress," said the Hon. E. P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs.

UN 80 celebrated in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 

UN 80 observances also took centre stage in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines , with the unveiling of a UN80 visual at the Argyle International Airport Bus Stop Shelter themed “Building on the Past. Honouring the Present. Looking towards the Future”, UN Country Coordination Officer for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,  La Fleur Quammie, unveiled the display, noting that it was a symbol of the UN’s continued support to the Government and people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, from the La Soufriere volcanic eruptions in 2021 to Hurricane Beryl in 2024, where UN agencies came together to support recovery, provide humanitarian aid and help communities rebuild with resilience.

"As we celebrate this milestone, let’s recommit to working together across borders and sectors to build a future that is inclusive , sustainable and full of opportunity for all," said Ms. Quammie.  

Youth, Innovation, and Sustainable Development at the Heart of UN@80 Celebrations in Dominica

The United Nations Office in Dominica also joined the global community in commemorating UN Day 2025 with celebration held under the theme :  “Youth Leading Change Through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, emphasizing the importance of empowering young people, fostering innovation, and advancing partnerships for sustainable development across the Commonwealth of Dominica. The UN Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO), led by UN Country Coordination Officer, Mr. Marlon Marie, partnered with the UN Youth Advisory Group (YAG) to host dynamic school visits under the banner “Youth Leading Change Through the SDGs.” At the junior level, students were introduced to SDGs, as well as to the UN and and its work in-country, while  senior students were engaged around sharing their understanding and ideas on implementing sustainable actions from a youth perspective. The discussions underscored a growing awareness among Dominica’s youth about their role in shaping the island’s future through innovation, resilience, and civic engagement.

“These conversations show that Dominica’s young people are deeply aware of the challenges before them and are ready to lead solutions for a better, more sustainable tomorrow,” Mr. Marie said.

As part of the UN@80 observance, the UNRCO also partnered with the Ministry of Labour, Public Service Reform, Social Partnership, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development to sponsor participation in Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl 2025, held from October 20–23. The RCO's sponsorship supported the National Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd., which showcased an innovative booth titled “Honey in the Town - The Hive.” This feature highlighted the Cooperative’s commitment to sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and entrepreneurship within Dominica’s growing apiculture sector. Founded to strengthen the island’s honey production and bee-derived industries, the National Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd. has become a leader in promoting eco-friendly agricultural practices, producing award-winning honey, and empowering rural communities. Through its initiatives, the Cooperative supports SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action), 15 (Life on Land), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Reflecting on the milestone, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, reaffirmed Dominica’s commitment to the UN Charter and the shared vision of a world founded on peace, dignity, and mutual respect. 

“For small island developing states like Dominica, the UN’s advocacy for climate resilience, poverty reduction, and inclusive growth remains instrumental in building a secure and sustainable future,” he said.

UN80 Advocacy initiatives are expected to continue throughout 2026.