UN Delegation Meets With THA To Strengthen Development Partnerships
United Nations representatives are in Tobago to mark United Nations Day and strengthen partnerships with the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).
The visit began with a high-level meeting involving the THA Executive Council, administrators, representatives of UN agencies and consulates.
During the meeting, the THA presented its Strategic Development Planning Pathway, 2025–2045, outlining the island’s priorities and opportunities for collaboration.
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said the discussions highlighted the alignment between Tobago’s development priorities and the work of the United Nations.
« The beautiful thing is that the United Nations, they are working with our priorities, and that’s why they are where they are; that’s why they have asked for us to do a presentation today concerning exactly what those priorities are. »
UN Resident Coordinator Joanna Kazana was joined by representatives from UNESCO, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Volunteers Programme, the International Organization for Migration and the UN Human Rights Office.
Representatives from several diplomatic missions, including Germany, Spain, France, China and India, as well as the European Union and Caribbean representatives, also attended.
Ms Kazana congratulated Trinidad and Tobago on its commitment to sustainable development, noting the practical steps taken to align local priorities with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
« I want to acknowledge and actually congratulate both Trinidad and Tobago in particular on your commitment to sustainable development. We have seen very practical ways of localising Agenda 2030 and expressing your own objectives and priorities in the language of SDGs and the logic of development planning. »
She praised the THA’s development planning, particularly its efforts in areas covered by Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4, which focus on good health and well-being, and quality education, respectively.
« Some of the things that stand out is your health care. The investment in health care brings real results and this is very, very important. I think that what really also is outstanding is good education; you actually have a good education system that you have here, and again, this is a result of a sustained continued investment over the years in the education sector. »
Ms Kazana also recognised the THA’s efforts in environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation, areas that form part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
Chief Secretary Augustine welcomed the identification of further opportunities for collaboration, saying Tobago could draw on international partnerships to advance its development goals.
« This is a clear indication that Tobago, while being a small island, we are not isolated. We have friends from across the globe who are willing to work along with us in ensuring that we can achieve our deliverables. »
The UN delegation is expected to visit several initiatives supported by the organisation in Tobago over the next few days.
