Across the Caribbean, the United Nations works in partnership with national governments to advance development cooperation and accelerate progress on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This collaboration is anchored in the United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNMSDCF) for the English- and Dutch speaking Caribbean 2022–2026. The UNMSDCF is a strategic planning instrument that structures programming between the United Nations and the government around four Priority Areas.

In 2025, Trinidad and Tobago took a significant step in deepening its partnership with the UN by formally signing the UNMSDCF 2022–2026. This reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the sustainable development agenda underpinned by strengthened multisectoral collaboration. The signing of the UNMSDCF marked not only a renewed strategic partnership between the United Nations and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, but also a period of active repositioning of the UN system. This shift was reinforced during the September 2025 Joint National Steering Committee meeting, co-chaired by the Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs, and Development and the UN Resident Coordinator. The meeting brought together 10 ministers and senior officials from 22 ministries – the highest level of Government participation to date. During this dialogue, strategic priorities for 2025–2030 were identified, and commitments to the SDGs, social equity, and prudent use of limited fiscal resources were reaffirmed. In response, the UN Country Team began adjusting its programmatic offerings, partnerships, and resource mobilization efforts to better align with the Government’s planned direction for national development. Despite a constrained funding environment and changes in UN presence on the ground, the UN system worked in a more integrated and strategic manner to deliver targeted, policy-relevant support.

At the regional Annual Coordination Meeting of the UNMSCDF hosted by Trinidad and Tobago in December 2025, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago joined other Caribbean governments in articulating its sustainable development priorities for consideration in the next UNMSDCF 2027–2031, including food security, value-added agribusiness, and national and regional security. 

As part of preparations for the UNMSDCF 2027–2031, the UN Country Team developed the Common Country Analysis (CCA) for Trinidad and Tobago. This independent, evidence-based assessment provides a rigorous analysis of the country’s development challenges and opportunities, enriched by extensive focus group consultations. Aligned with the Government’s strategic priorities, the CCA will serve as a foundational pillar for shaping the UN’s next cycle of development cooperation and can be utilized as a strategic analytical resource to inform government policymaking, program design, and civil society action. The CCA for Trinidad and Tobago is anchored in grassroot insights and detailed feedback from 12 diverse stakeholder groups across the socioeconomic landscape of Trinidad and Tobago. Between September and October 2025, focus group consultations were held with:

• Older Persons
• Boys
• Girls
• Organizations of Persons with Disabilities
• Disaster Risk Resilience Experts
• Climate and Environment Practitioners
• Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Organizations
• Faith-Based Organizations
• Tobago Residents
• Refugees and Migrants
• Youth
• Prevention of Violence and Social Cohesion Practitioners

A group of young men from the MILAT programme participated in the CCA Focus Group consultations.

Due to funding constraints, UNHCR drastically reduced its operational footprint in Trinidad and Tobago in 2025, closing its national office at the end of August and ending its physical presence at the end of the year. As of 2026, operations are overseen remotely from the UNHCR Multi-country Office in Panama, including direct dialogue and support to the Government and a continued partnership with the Caribbean Centre for Human Rights to ensure protection safeguards and continuity of access to rights for refugees and asylum-seekers. This transition underscores both long-standing UNHCR commitment to protection in Trinidad and Tobago and the importance of strengthened national capacities to sustain inclusive, rights-based services for displaced populations.