Strengthening Trinidad and Tobago’s front-line capacity to stem illicit firearms flows is central to safer communities, effective rule of law, and security governance that protects human rights. Through its Global Firearms Program, UNODC supported the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to modernize interdiction capabilities by providing tools that enhance detection coverage, improve situational awareness, and enable more targeted disruption of trafficking networks. As part of this support, two high-performance drones and specialized K9 training equipment were provided to national security institutions under the responsibility of the Ministry of Homeland Security. The Minister of Homeland Security, The Honorable Roger Alexander, highlighted the importance of these assets in strengthening national capacity to prevent, detect, and disrupt illicit firearms trafficking. Mr. Videsh Maharaj, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Homeland Security, also underscored the value of the support and the strong collaboration with UNODC, signaling deeper institutional alignment for sustained action.

Illicit firearms and ammunition are driving rising levels of gun violence across the Caribbean, undermining governance, citizen security, and the social foundations of sustainable development, including in Trinidad and Tobago. In response, UNLIREC worked with CARICOM IMPACS and the Ministry of Homeland Security to strengthen governance and coordination mechanisms supporting implementation of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap (CFRM), the region’s shared framework to reduce illicit firearms and ammunition by 2030 and translate control measures into measurable violence reduction. With funding from Canada, UNLIREC and its partners convened the Fifth Annual Meeting of States of the CFRM in Port of Spain on 11–12 November 2025. The meeting reviewed progress on the CFRM, translated midterm review findings into a shared implementation reset, and reinforced commitments to include the roadmap in national development plans, budget cycles, and broader violence prevention strategies. Participating states also agreed to operationalize budgeted National Action Plans with annual deliverables and to strengthen monitoring and evaluation frameworks. In a complementary initiative, UNLIREC supported more effective investigation and prosecution of firearm-related crimes by providing a comparison microscope to the Trinidad and Tobago Forensic Science Centre, strengthening ballistic evidence examination in support of SDGs 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Securing borders and maritime routes is central to Trinidad and Tobago’s efforts to disrupt transnational organized crime, protect national security, and safeguard legitimate trade and movement. In support of this objective, UNODC worked with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago through four complementary global platforms to strengthen coordinated action across borders, ports, and maritime routes. These included the Global Program on Criminal Network Disruption, the Global Passenger and Cargo Control Program (Airport Communication Project), the Global Firearms Program, and the Global Maritime Crime Program. Through close collaboration with national law enforcement agencies and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, capacity-building activities and operational support focused on strengthening investigation and interdiction of organized crime, particularly illicit drug and firearms trafficking at sea and at borders. Emphasis was also placed on sustaining impact through strengthened joint task forces and enhanced local training capacity. In 2025, more than 100 participants, including police, customs, immigration, forensic officers, prosecutors, analysts, and administrative staff, were trained, reinforcing nationally anchored capabilities for continued action.

Strengthening small arms and light weapons (SAL W) control is essential to development trajectory of Trinidad and Tobago: it reduces gun violence, saves lives, and safeguards economic and social progress. To improve SAL W control, Trinidad and Tobago hosted the 2025 Fellowship Training Programme on Small Arms and Light Weapons Control. This inaugural three-week regional capacity-building fellowship program, tailored to the needs of the Caribbean, equipped officials responsible for implementing the UN Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument, including focal points driving the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap. From 28 July to 15 August, 19 fellows from 15 CARICOM member states and the Dominican Republic convened in Trinidad and Tobago for an intensive, practice-oriented program coordinated by UNODA (Conventional Arms Branch). This initiative was made possible through a partnership between UNLIREC, the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Homeland Security, and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR ). By strengthening legal, technical, and field-ready expertise across senior law enforcement, military, forensic, and policy cadres, the fellowship helped institutionalize more consistent tracing, control, and prevention approaches that can be replicated across the region – advancing SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Advancing sustainable development in Trinidad and Tobago depends on safer communities, trusted institutions, and women’s equal leadership in preventing violence and strengthening social cohesion. Aligned with the national vision of focusing on stronger governance mechanisms to protect human rights, reduce crime, and curb violence, UN Women supported the Government, through the Office of the Prime Minister, Gender, and Child Affairs, and its Gender Affairs Division, to adopt and launch the country’s first National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS NAP) in March 2025. This milestone institutionalizes a national, whole-of-society framework to increase women’s participation in peacebuilding and to strengthen coordinated prevention and response across government and civil society. To begin putting the plan into action, the NAP, UN Women and Our Secure Future co-hosted an implementation-focused workshop for 30 WPS focal points from government and civil society. This session helped establish a shared, standardized foundation for rolling out the NAP and sustaining accountability over time. Together, these results advance SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Reducing court backlogs and improving case readiness are central to strengthening access to justice, public confidence in the rule of law, and timely, proportionate outcomes for victims and accused persons alike. With funding from the European Union, UNDP partnered with the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, and the Judiciary to address these challenges through the multi-year PA CE Justice Project, supporting implementation of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act 2011 (AJIPA ) across the criminal justice system. Through strengthened inter-agency coordination from investigation to adjudication, the project institutionalized digital case management, built practitioner capacity, and improved operational interoperability. In 2025, more than 275 units of ICT equipment and software were deployed across the Judiciary, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service, the Public Defenders’ Department, and the Probation Services Division. These investments enabled virtual hearings, digital case files, virtual prison visits, and more efficient supervision workflows. In parallel, AJIPA -focused training convened approximately 120 criminal law practitioners, while interoperability and statement-quality improvements strengthened pretrial file readiness, reducing avoidable delays and contributing to a more efficient and fair criminal justice system.

Strengthening access to gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for women and girls who are most at risk helps Trinidad and Tobago reduce inequality, protect children, and build safer communities. It also speeds up progress on Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to leave no one behind. In 2025, UNFPA , with support from Global Affairs Canada, strengthened the national protection response by connecting undeserved survivors and pregnant women to practical GBV/SRH knowledge and life-saving referral networks. This initiative especially focused on refugee, migrant, and PWD communities. A total of 250 Dignity Kits were delivered across underserved communities in both Trinidad and Tobago, reducing immediate hygiene-related risks and enabling safer help-seeking for those facing violence and displacement. Implemented with the Office of the Prime Minister and reinforced through coordination with the Ministry of Gender Affairs, the National AIDS Coordinating Committee, and local NGOs serving national and migrant populations, the initiative strengthened a more resilient, survivor-centered service ecosystem.

Inclusive health systems that enable migrants and refugees to access preventive care without fear or stigma strengthen public health outcomes, institutional trust, and social cohesion for entire communities. In support of a safer, fairer, and more cohesive society, the Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V) supported national efforts to strengthen coordination and advocacy for equitable access to health services for refugees and migrants. Co-led by IOM and UNHCR, the platform convened the eleventh Humanitarian Breakfast Series in July 2025, bringing together Government representatives, the diplomatic corps, civil society, the private sector, and UN entities. Co-hosted by the High Commission of Canada and PAHO /WHO, and with active participation from the Ministry of Health, the forum positioned immunization as a practical entry point for integrating refugees and migrants into national health systems. The dialogue allowed stakeholders to identify gaps and collaboration opportunities to more effectively reach displaced populations within existing immunization and public health frameworks. The forum was supported by the US Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. As a result of the consultative session, IOM and the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator, in partnership with the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) and the Ministry of Health, developed a project to deliver inclusive, linguistically appropriate,
and protection-sensitive healthcare services to both migrant and host communities. This project is scheduled for implementation in 2026.

Expanding durable solutions for refugees is a direct investment in stronger governance and human rights protection. It reduces exposure to exploitation and refoulement, eases pressure on national systems, and advances equitable responsibility-sharing. In 2025, UNHCR strengthened the protection environment by streamlining how the most vulnerable refugee cases are identified, assessed, and submitted for resettlement, even as global opportunities contracted due to quota reductions by countries willing to receive resettled refugees. UNHCR submitted recommendations for 160 individuals in highly vulnerable situations and at risk of refoulement for consideration by third countries. By November 2025, UNHCR had facilitated the resettlement of 289 persons residing in Trinidad and Tobago, with additional departures continuing into 2026, providing a pathway to safety and stability for those facing the gravest risks. UNHCR also advanced progress on the use of Economic Mobility Pathways for resettlement, enabling the first refugee family in Trinidad and Tobago –and, by extension, the Caribbean – to relocate to Canada. This pathway expands options beyond traditional resettlement by leveraging skills-based mobility opportunities. Together, these results strengthened rights-based protection pathways and reinforced national asylum systems across Trinidad and Tobago, contributing to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

In 2025, IOM helped Government counterparts translate this imperative into more consistent front-line practice. Working with the Counter-Trafficking Unit and officials across several ministries, IOM strengthened victim identification capacities and institutional readiness for referral to social support services. Through survivor-focused care practices and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) approaches, this work enabled national responders to support survivors while safeguarding their own well-being. In a complementary effort, IOM engaged media professionals to encourage responsible reporting that raises awareness without re-victimizing survivors. By using more sensitive language, media practitioners can create a safer enabling environment that encourages survivors to feel safe seeking help. Together, these results advanced SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), supporting a more coordinated national response so survivors can access protection and resume their lives with dignity.

Strengthening governance and access to justice for all survivors is essential to reduce violence, uphold human rights, and ensure equality before the law. This is especially true for women and girls and for vulnerable groups most often left behind, including PWDs. In this vein, UN Women is strengthening the national evidence base required to strengthen governance mechanisms that curb violence. In 2025, UN Women published “A Gender Lens on the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago for Achieving Equality Before the Law,” which maps how laws and related policies shape real-world protection and redress, providing a practical foundation for closing legislative and procedural gaps that can block survivors’ pathways to justice. To complement this effort, UN Women also supported more inclusive, survivor-informed policy dialogue by collaborating with UWI, The Harriet Tubman Institute, York University, DAWN Canada, and NGOs from Canada and Barbados to host a symposium for women with disabilities. The convening brought together 30 women with disabilities from civil society, NGOs, and academia across Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Barbados, St. Lucia, Jamaica, Dominica, Suriname, St Vincent, and the Grenadines to strengthen advocacy tools, data and networks. Together, these results advance SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Protecting children from child labor is central to safeguarding human capital, breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty, and ensuring inclusive, sustainable development in Trinidad and Tobago. The 2022 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 6) estimates that 4.3 percent of children aged 5–17 are engaged in child labor, with higher prevalence among boys, younger children aged 5–11, and adolescents aged 15–17, underscoring the need for targeted and sustained action. In 2025, the Government strengthened its national response by advancing a more coordinated, evidence-based prevention and protection system. With technical support from the ILO , the Government reinforced safeguards for children most at risk through a combination of public awareness initiatives and more targeted labor inspections, strengthening deterrence while improving identification and referral for protection services. At the system level, the Government, tripartite partners, and broader multisectoral stakeholders completed an updated situational analysis on child labor and developed a draft National Child Labor Policy through extensive consultations supported by ILO expertise. Finalized in December 2025 and expected to be submitted to Cabinet in 2026, the policy provides a clear framework to align institutional roles, strengthen accountability, and sustain progress toward eliminating child labor. Together, these efforts lay firm foundations for protecting children’s rights and ending child labor in all its forms.

Protecting children’s rights in the digital environment has become integral to safeguarding communities, strengthening governance, and addressing emerging forms of exploitation in Trinidad and Tobago. Between 2022 and 2025, UNODC supported the Government to strengthen national capacity to prevent and respond to online child sexual exploitation and abuse and cyber-enabled trafficking in persons, moving from ad hoc responses toward more consistent, technology enabled action. Implemented with operational support from INTERPOL, the program worked closely with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) to reinforce investigative and prosecutorial readiness. UNODC delivered more than 20 specialized capacity building activities, provided digital tools, forensic equipment, and office infrastructure, and strengthened the ability of the TTPS to detect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence to support effective prosecution and adjudication. Train-the-trainer approaches helped embed skills within institutions, supporting continuity beyond the project cycle. Complementing enforcement measures, partnerships with Soroptimist, the Scouts of Trinidad and Tobago, and Kiddies Carnival expanded prevention and awareness through the Blue Face campaign, which reached more than 500 children, young people and families, reinforcing a comprehensive approach to safer digital spaces.

Embedding human rights into climate and environmental action is essential for resilience-building efforts to protect those most exposed to flooding, heat stress, ecosystem loss, and livelihood disruption, while supporting a just and inclusive transition. In this context, the OHCHR supported national and regional efforts to strengthen rights-based environmental governance by building the institutional capacity of the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) to apply human rights principles across biodiversity, conservation, and environmental protection initiatives, in line with the UNMSDCF emphasis on safer, fairer, and more inclusive societies. Through this support, CANARI enhanced its ability to identify and address the differentiated impacts of climate change and environmental degradation on vulnerable populations, strengthening safeguards for participation, non-discrimination, and accountability in environmental programming. The reinforced technical grounding on human rights–environment–climate linkages also positions CANARI to advance climate justice more consistently across its portfolio, including through more inclusive program design and monitoring. Together, these shifts strengthen civil society leadership in environmental governance and support progress on SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land).