Caribbean resilience must lead development, says Trinidad PM
Key Points(5)
- Caribbean nations must leverage their resilience to navigate global uncertainty, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said Thursday during the launch of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) 2025 Regional Human Development Report for Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Speaking at the high-level event in Port of Spain, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar emphasized the region’s capacity to rise above vulnerability, calling on leaders, institutions, and communities to act decisively.
- “Why should geography determine dignity?
- The Caribbean knows vulnerability—but we also know resilience.
- We know how to rise, and we must rise together.
Caribbean nations must leverage their resilience to navigate global uncertainty, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said Thursday during the launch of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) 2025 Regional Human Development Report for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Speaking at the high-level event in Port of Spain, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar emphasized the region’s capacity to rise above vulnerability, calling on leaders, institutions, and communities to act decisively. “Why should geography determine dignity? The Caribbean knows vulnerability—but we also know resilience. We know how to rise, and we must rise together. Not just for ourselves but for the generations to come,” she said.
The Prime Minister framed the UNDP report, titled “Under Pressure: Recalibrating the Future of Human Development,” as a guide for creating more inclusive and future-ready development strategies. She stressed that these challenging times demand “quick action with long-term vision” and a recalibration of traditional development models to better serve all citizens.
Persad-Bissessar’s remarks highlighted the region’s dual reality of vulnerability and innovation. She called for a renewed social contract that reduces inequality, strengthens civic trust, and safeguards fundamental freedoms, including health, education, and economic opportunity.
The UNDP report underscores these points, noting that the Caribbean faces multiple crises—from climate-driven disasters and economic shocks to fragile governance structures—yet the region has consistently grown in human development terms over recent decades. It recommends building resilience through smarter policies, stronger institutions, and more robust physical and digital infrastructure.
Mischelle Muschett, UNDP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, echoed the Prime Minister’s focus on resilience. She said, “Building resilience is not optional—it is a necessity in the world we live in today… It requires investing in people, strengthening institutions, and re-imagining the social contract for a new era of uncertainty.”
The report also highlights the critical role of digital technologies in fostering resilience but notes persistent gaps in access. Less than 40% of Caribbean households have a computer, prompting UNDP to advocate for investments in digital literacy, affordable devices, and inclusive digital ecosystems.
An interactive digital version of the report is available, offering country-specific data, visualizations, and policy recommendations.
