On June 16, 2026, regional leaders and United Nations officials gathered for the Annual Coordination Meeting of the UN Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) for the Caribbean, where they formally introduced a groundbreaking five-year cooperation agreement that will reshape sustainable development efforts across English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean nations. Chaired by Belize and held in a hybrid format that brought together in-person and virtual participants, the gathering served a dual purpose: to review the outcomes and lessons learned from the current 2022-2026 cooperation framework, and to align stakeholders around the priorities of the new 2027-2031 MSDCF, which is designed to accelerate the region’s progress toward the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The meeting, convened under the unifying theme “One Caribbean. One Framework. One Future,” centered on the core principle that shared challenges demand collective regional action. Attendees included national government representatives, UN Resident Coordinators, heads of key UN development agencies, and leaders of regional partner organizations, all of whom emphasized that Caribbean states face overlapping development hurdles that can be addressed more effectively through coordinated support than through isolated national efforts.
Speaking at the opening session, Raul Salazar, UN Resident Coordinator for Belize and El Salvador and Chair of the MSDCF Regional Steering Committee, outlined the collaborative process that shaped the new framework. Salazar noted that the document was co-designed with Caribbean national governments and local development partners to ensure it directly reflects the unique national priorities and collective regional aspirations of the area. “This Framework is about creating opportunities, strengthening resilience, protecting the most vulnerable, and delivering tangible results in the daily lives of Caribbean citizens,” Salazar told attendees.
H.E. Oscar Arnold, Chief Executive Officer of Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the initiative is rooted in the on-the-ground experiences and long-term ambitions of Caribbean communities. Arnold emphasized that the new MSDCF stands as a public demonstration of the shared commitment between regional governments and the UN to build a Caribbean that is more resilient to shocks, inclusive of all populations, and economically prosperous for future generations.
The 2027-2031 framework is structured around two interconnected strategic pillars that address the most pressing development needs of the region. The first pillar, Economic and Ecosystem Resilience, targets three key focus areas: expanding economic diversification to reduce overreliance on vulnerable sectors, expanding access to skills development for workers to compete in emerging global industries, and strengthening the resilience of natural ecosystems that underpin the region’s tourism and livelihoods. The second pillar, Future Ready People and Empowered Communities, focuses on expanding access to integrated public services for marginalized groups and advancing evidence-based crime and violence prevention initiatives to create safer communities across the region. Combined, these two pillars aim to deliver four core outcomes: stronger, more diversified economies, protected and sustainable natural environments, safer and more cohesive communities, and expanded economic and social opportunities for all Caribbean residents.
Following the official launch of the framework at the coordination meeting, stakeholders announced that the next phase of work will shift to detailed implementation planning, cross-stakeholder coordination, and the translation of broad regional priorities into actionable national development projects that deliver tangible benefits to local communities. The new framework is fully aligned with the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, providing a clear roadmap for aligned UN and regional action through the end of the coming decade.
In closing, the meeting concluded with a joint reaffirmation of commitment from both Caribbean governments and the United Nations. Both parties restated their dedication to national ownership of development priorities, deepened regional integration and cooperation, and collective action to advance inclusive sustainable development across the entire Caribbean region, per the official UN Caribbean press release announcing the outcome of the meeting.