UN Global Compact Launches Regional Caribbean Network in Barbados
May 22 2024 - 2:00PM
Today the United Nations Global Compact launched its new Regional
Caribbean Network, in partnership with the UN Resident Coordinator
for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and local business
communities. The new Caribbean Regional Network is critical to
enable the UN Global Compact to grow its regional presence and
better mobilise the private sector in support of Caribbean
sustainable development priorities in line with UN, Government and
private sector commitments.
The Caribbean has shown remarkable leadership in sustainable
business practices, particularly through policy initiatives like
Barbados’s commitment to 100% renewable energy and carbon
neutrality; Trinidad and Tobago’s Vision 2030; Grenada’s National
Sustainable Development Plan 2020–2035 and the Commonwealth of
Dominica’s National Resilience Development Strategy 2030. These
initiatives reflect the region's proactive stance on environmental
sustainability and economic resilience.
With 32 Caribbean companies from 7 countries (Bermuda, Barbados,
Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Guyana, Bahamas,
Jamaica) already committed to the UN Global Compact, the new
Regional Caribbean Network, covering 11 countries and 6 overseas
territories, will accelerate the integration of the UN Global
Compact Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
into local business strategies. The Network aims to attract more
Caribbean companies to participate actively in global
sustainability efforts.
"Establishing the Regional Caribbean Network is a critical step
towards leveraging the unique position of Caribbean economies as
advocates for climate justice, sustainable development financing,
and biodiversity preservation," said Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and
Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. “The UN Global Compact
is profoundly grateful for the support from UN Resident Coordinator
Didier Treboucq and the CARICOM states, and Prime Minister Mia
Mottley of Barbados for her steadfast support and partnership. We
are committed to fostering a sustainable future for the Caribbean
through enhanced collaboration between the UN, governments and the
private sector. The UN Global Compact looks forward to seeing the
Caribbean Network thrive.”
The new Caribbean Network brings the total UN Global Compact
global reach to 62 UN Global Compact Networks, covering 78
countries and involving over 20,000 companies worldwide.
While challenges remain in meeting the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) by 2030, the Economic Commission for Latin America and
the Caribbean (ECLAC) recognizes there is opportunity for progress.
The newly established Regional Caribbean Network is set to catalyze
transformative change by enhancing CEO engagement, amplifying
policy advocacy, and equipping Caribbean companies with practical
tools and resources to harness collective efforts to drive regional
development and sustainability.
Notes to Editors
About the UN Global Compact
As a special initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General,
the UN Global Compact is a call to companies worldwide to align
their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in the areas of
human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Our ambition
is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business
by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the Sustainable
Development Goals through accountable companies and ecosystems that
enable change. With more than 20,000 participating companies, 5
Regional Hubs, 62 Country Networks covering 78 countries and 14
Country Managers establishing Networks in 20 other countries, the
UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability
initiative — one Global Compact uniting business for a better
world.
United Nations Global Compact
(212) 907-1301
media@unglobalcompact.org