On 15th July 2024, Senator the Honourable Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, met with Mrs. Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki, United Nations Resident Coordinator, at the Ministry’s headquarters.
The Minister received an update on the progress achieved by the United Nations, with regard to constructive engagements with key Government Ministers including the Ministers of Planning and Development, Education, Gender and Child Affairs as well as Works and Transport and the increasing level of support from the UN which is expected to further escalate in the coming year. The Resident Coordinator also emphasized the productive collaboration with the private sector and non-governmental organizations.
Central to their discussion was the establishment of a Joint National Steering Committee, underscoring a robust partnership for decision-making. Mrs. Kazana-Wisniowiecki outlined priorities for Trinidad and Tobago that were discussed at the recently held meeting of the Steering Committee, such as climate change mitigation, violence prevention, especially through youth development initiatives. Mrs. Kazana-Wisniowiecki also provided an update on ongoing reform within the UN system and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR's) strategic focus areas and proposed further discussion on migration as a development accelerator.
Looking ahead, Minister Browne and Mrs. Kazana-Wisniowiecki discussed upcoming global deliberations at the UN General Assembly in September, including the Summit of the Future, the Pact of the Future, and the Global Digital Compact, underscoring Trinidad and Tobago's active participation.
The Minister congratulated Mrs. Kazana-Wisniowiecki on her work in leading her team over the past twelve months and emphasised the value of the role the UN Resident Coordinator, expressing extreme gratitude for the work of the United Nations in Trinidad and Tobago.
