The efforts of Trinidad and Tobago to reduce child poverty and protect families from shocks increasingly depend on grounding social protection policies in evidence and being responsive to real household needs. In 2025, aligned with the Government’s vision, UNICEF supported a decisive shift toward more data-driven social protection reform, strengthening the national evidence base for reducing child poverty. At the policy level, UNICEF also advocated for Cabinet approval of the Multidimensional Child Poverty Report as an official national document, anchoring child poverty analysis within government decision-making. Building on these findings, the Cabinet formally requested UNICEF support to lead development of the country’s first Child Poverty Strategy, creating a clear framework to harmonize programs, budgets, and results around measurable reductions in multidimensional child poverty. The Cabinet also approved the Minimum Expenditure Basket developed by UNICEF as a standardized cost benchmark to guide eligibility thresholds and program design across social protection instruments. This work directly supports the Government’s priority to strengthen the effectiveness and equity of social protection systems. It also informs policy dialogue on benefit adequacy, targeting mechanisms, and integrated service delivery. The findings are expected to feed into ongoing reforms led by the Ministry of the People, Social Development, and Family Services, strengthening evidence-based decision-making in a fiscally constrained environment.

In 2025, Trinidad and Tobago strengthened a key lever for inclusive growth: evidence-based jobs and skills planning. This was especially important given that an estimated 16.6 percent of young people were not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Supported by the ILO, the Government improved how it anticipates labor-market demand and aligns training programs – efforts that help reduce skills mismatches, which can lock young people and other jobseekers out of opportunity. ILO-supported skills studies in tourism, maritime, aviation, software design, and agro-processing were published by the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST), strengthening the country’s evidence base on emerging employment opportunities and skills demand. By translating labor market intelligence into actionable insights, the studies support more targeted training, improved policy alignment, and stronger linkages between learners and growth sectors, contributing to a more inclusive and resilient labor market. Similarly, in line with the Government’s renewed emphasis on labor law reform, decent work, and revitalized tripartite dialogue, the ILO engaged with Government, workers’ and employers’ representatives to assess priorities for future collaboration. These consultations laid the groundwork for a more structured program of support aligned with national labor market reform efforts.

Adolescents in Trinidad and Tobago are facing increasing risks linked to Gender-Based Violence, mental distress, and online abuse. Despite these challenges, young people do not always have access to Health and family Life Education (HFLE) in schools in ways that are relevant, inclusive, or practical enough to help them make safe, rights-informed decisions. To strengthen student wellbeing in line with national education priorities, UNESCO worked with the KIT Institute and Feminitt Caribbean to advance an evidence-informed pathway for HFLE reform grounded in the lived experiences of adolescents and young people. UNESCO and its partners conducted a study to capture the perceptions of HLFE among 10- to 24-year-olds in south Trinidad – the first research of its kind in the country. At a validation workshop in November 2025, government policymakers and curriculum stakeholders joined educators, parent association representatives, and civil society to generate concrete recommendations to improve HLFE delivery, including more interactive pedagogy, dedicated HFLE sessions, and balanced guidance reflecting Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural and religious diversity, while strengthening content on consent, gender-based violence prevention, emotional coping strategies, and digital safety. By ensuring young people’s perspectives directly shape improvements in the delivery of HFLE, UNESCO’s work is delivering tangible progress on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

As education systems face increasing risks from violence, mental health pressures, and shocks that disrupt learning, safeguarding students’ health, safety, and well-being has become integral to protecting human capital and long-term productivity. In response, UNESCO supported 18 Caribbean countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, to develop National Action Plans that embed health and well-being approaches within education policy and planning systems. In October 2025, Trinidad and Tobago hosted a regional workshop bringing together chief education officers, curriculum developers, and education planners from the 18 participating countries to advance practical strategies for safe and inclusive learning environments, prevention of school-related violence, and delivery of mental health and psychosocial support. By promoting common standards and sustained regional collaboration, UNESCO’s support is strengthening system-level capacity to deliver safer, more inclusive education environments for both students and teachers, complementing and reinforcing national efforts in Trinidad and Tobago and across the Caribbean.

Health remains a central national priority in Trinidad and Tobago, reflected in increased allocations in the 2026 national budget and a renewed focus on building a people-centered, shock-resilient health system. In this context, PAHO/WHO worked with the Ministry of Health in 2025 to support a comprehensive evaluation of the National Mental Health Policy 2019–2029. The evaluation reinforced the ongoing shift away from institutionalization toward a decentralized, community-based, rights-based, and recovery-oriented model integrated into primary healthcare. The assessment generated a robust evidence base on policy implementation and system performance. Strengths were identified in the leadership of the Ministry’s Mental Health Unit, community-based approaches, and suicide-prevention efforts, alongside constraints in human resources, information systems, and data management. The resulting recommendations are positioned to strengthen national decision-making, service quality, and continuity of care across the lifespan, advancing SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

To improve the quality of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) services in Trinidad and Tobago, PAHO/WHO and the Ministry of Health undertook a comprehensive review of infection prevention and control (IPC) policies. This collaboration resulted in the publication of “Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Surveillance – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Practical Guide 2025, Volume 1,” which builds on the 2020 IPC policies and strengthens HAI prevention through improved surveillance methodologies. The revised guidelines align NICU HAI surveillance with international best practices, ensuring a comprehensive, effective, and locally responsive framework tailored to the country’s healthcare system. To further support front-line care, a pocket summary of surveillance definitions and calculations was also developed, giving physicians a tool to make faster and more accurate bedside decisions. Following publication of the guide, training for NICU staff is being scheduled in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to support introduction of the updated standards. Dr. Rajeev Nagassar of Trinidad and Tobago, who contributed significantly to the development of the practical guide and has demonstrated sustained leadership in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and infection prevention efforts nationally and regionally, was recognized by PAHO/WHO as the first recipient of the Caribbean Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Leadership Award.

Trinidad and Tobago has embarked on a comprehensive review of its National Essential Medicines List (NEML), a critical tool for promoting universal health coverage and equitable access to quality healthcare. The updated NEML, in alignment with WHO guidelines, national epidemiological priorities, and cost-effectiveness considerations, serves as the basis for rational medication use, procurement planning, and informed clinical decision-making. This review addressed increasing health demands in areas such as noncommunicable diseases, oncology, and mental health, while considering the financial impact of medicines on both the healthcare system and households. The collaborative process engaged representatives from the Ministry of Health, Regional Health Authorities, clinicians of the main specialty services, pharmacists, and PAHO/WHO technical experts. This initiative marks a strategic advancement toward strengthening Trinidad and Tobago’s ability to provide affordable, high-quality medicines for all.

In 2025, stakeholders from the Government and civil society strengthened the evidence base that demonstrates how HIV-related stigma and discrimination undermine access to treatment and impede progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. As part of this effort, the Trinidad and Tobago Community for Positive Women (TTCW), with multi-stakeholder support from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNAIDS, the Pan-Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), and the National AIDS Coordinating Committee (NACC) Secretariat, conducted the People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Stigma Index 2.0 study. This marked the country’s first comprehensive assessment of stigma-related barriers experienced by the PLHIV community. The study findings were validated through a national forum that brought stakeholders together to co-develop actionable policy recommendations and sustainable strategies to reduce discrimination and improve access to treatment and care. Integrating these recommendations into future policy processes will strengthen rights-based responses, improve service uptake, and bolster national efforts to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care.

Floods, pandemics and other shocks can disrupt access to essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services – including childbirth, newborn care, contraception, and HIV treatment – for women, girls, and other vulnerable groups. Strengthening the continuity of these services is therefore central to building a shock-resilient health system. In 2025, UNFPA supported the institutionalization of SRH as a core, life-saving component of national disaster preparedness by introducing the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) into emergency response systems. Working with the Ministry of Health, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), the Office of the Prime Minister, and the National AIDS Coordinating Committee (NACC), UNFPA moved the MISP from policy commitment to operational practice. This resulted in 60 multisectoral responders being equipped to apply standardized SRH protocols during emergencies; SRH protocols have also been integrated into the disaster response plans of the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation. The initiative established a district-level, scalable model that strengthens local government readiness, enhances community resilience, and reinforces shock-resilient health service delivery.

As part of national efforts to reduce dependence on food imports and strengthen domestic agricultural production and value addition, FAO supported measures to make climate-resilient farming more productive, profitable, and financeable. In collaboration with the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs, and Development, FAO strengthened Trinidad and Tobago’s capacity to finance climate-resilient agriculture by fostering structured linkages between farmers, value chains, and financial institutions. This intervention addressed a critical constraint to agricultural transformation: limited access to appropriate finance. It repositioned climate adaptation from a cost borne by farmers to a bankable investment opportunity for public and private actors, facilitating its integration into agricultural and financial decision-making. Through targeted capacity development, FAO worked with 72 farmers (35 women and 37 men) to design and implement climate-resilient business models across six priority value chains: mixed vegetables, legumes, small ruminants, cocoa, aquaculture, and roots and tubers. Farmers strengthened their understanding of climate risks, climate-smart practices, and commercially viable pathways to improve productivity and profitability. Additionally, with support from the Agricultural Development Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, FAO is building financial-sector capacity to assess climate risks, value adaptation benefits, and deploy targeted financing instruments for sustainable agriculture and aquaculture. These initiatives directly support the Government’s priorities on climate resilience, sustainable natural resource management, and the modernization of agricultural systems through improved data, technology, and risk-informed planning.

Fisheries play an important role in Trinidad and Tobago’s economy, supporting livelihoods, employment, and domestic food supply, particularly within coastal and rural communities. At the same time, fishing remains one of the world’s most dangerous occupations, with small-scale fishers, who comprise over 90 percent of the Caribbean fishing industry, facing heightened risks at sea. To strengthen safety and resilience in this critical sector, ITU completed a gap analysis of Trinidad and Tobago’s compliance with UN treaties and recommendations on communications at sea for small-scale fishers. Findings and recommendations were resented alongside capacity-building sessions at an in-person regional workshop held in February 2025, engaging over 75 participants, including representatives from Trinidad and Tobago. In complementary efforts, ITU installed remotely controlled VHF coast station equipment for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and supported user training to ensure effective and sustained operation. Once implemented, these measures will strengthen the enabling environment for safer and more resilient small-scale fishing. Through engagement with fisherfolk, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, regulators, and national partners, ITU’s work has improved access to safety communications, strengthened preparedness and response capacity, and reinforced the resilience of maritime livelihoods and coastal communities.

Vulnerable migrants, particularly those living in remote and rural communities, often face overlapping risks linked to precarious incomes, limited livelihood opportunities, language barriers, and discrimination. When access to basic services is constrained, households can rapidly fall into food insecurity, with knock-on effects for health, well-being, and exposure to exploitation, undermining progress on poverty reduction, food security, and social inclusion. In line with national efforts to strengthen responses for social protection for vulnerable populations and address trafficking in persons, IOM expanded access to short-term nutrition support as an entry point to broader protection and recovery pathways. With support from the US Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, and in partnership with the Archdiocesan Ministry for Migrants and Refugees (AMMR), W.O.M.E.N., and the Counter-Trafficking Unit, IOM delivered food assistance through 11 distribution events, reaching 722 individuals (394 females and 328 males), including vulnerable migrants, local residents, and survivors of human trafficking. By combining food assistance with psychosocial support, information–sharing, and referrals, the initiative helped stabilize household food security while strengthening links to available services.

Strengthening nationally anchored protection pathways for refugees and asylum-seekers promotes social cohesion and reduces the human and fiscal pressures of crisis and vulnerability for both displaced populations and host communities. In this context, UNHCR convened a multisectoral partnership that delivered direct case management support to 2,226 people. The partnership brought together the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, the Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT), the Rape Crisis Society, the Caribbean Centre for Human Rights, La Casita, the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, the Ministry of Homeland Security and the Ministry of Labour. For life-threatening situations, targeted cash and voucher assistance helped avert eviction, homelessness and unsafe shelter, while providing access to urgent health care and other essential services. Furthermore, 357 at-risk refugee and migrant children and their caregivers accessed child protection services, with national systems strengthened through the embedding of a bilingual (English–Spanish) caseworker and interpreter within the Children’s Authority. UNHCR also partnered with the Ministry of Labour to strengthen prevention of and response to child labor affecting refugees and asylum-seekers, improving institutional readiness to protect vulnerable populations and reinforcing nationally anchored protection pathways.

By strengthening the national evidence base for decision-making, Trinidad and Tobago advanced more effective, accountable, and data-driven public policy. This is an essential enabler for reducing poverty, targeting social investments, and improving service delivery for people most at risk of being left behind. To this end, the Symposium on Statistics for Poverty Reduction in the Caribbean was held in Port of Spain. Led by ECLAC and UNDP, the symposium was supported by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the World Bank (WB), independent non-profit KoboToolbox, and SALISES at The University of the West Indies. The Symposium connected the Ministries of Social Development, Ministries of Planning, and National Statistical Offices from around the Caribbean, alongside academia and international organizations, to explore practical ways to improve how poverty is measured. This wide cross-section of stakeholders reviewed the draft ECLAC study on monetary poverty measurement comparability, reinforcing the case for greater harmonization to enable stronger monitoring and Caribbean-wide analysis. The symposium elevated the value of combining monetary and multidimensional poverty assessment with community-produced data, therefore helping public institutions design more adaptive
social protection and resilience-building responses.