Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

The United Nations in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent has a population of 103,000 and is one of seven independent nations covered by the United Nations Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a Southern Caribbean nation comprising a main island Saint Vincent and a chain of smaller Grenadine islands. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is committed to the social development of its people and environmental sustainability. Through the country’s National Economic and Social Development Plan, efforts are being made to mainstream the SDGs in national policies while placing people at the "centre" of its development. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines fully embraces the UN’s concept of “leaving no one behind” with policies and programmes to reduce inequalities, unemployment and poverty, while empowering women and youth.

Milestones

1. On 2 January, 2020 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines took up its seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term having created history by becoming the smallest nation to be elected to the governing body. On 1 November  2020, the country repeated history by becoming the smallest nation to chair to the Council for a one month period.
    
2. Despite COVID-19 disruptions, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines presented its first Voluntary National Review on the progress of SDG implementation on 14 July, 2020.
    
3. On 1 May, 2017 the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines banned the importation of expanded polystyrene (styrofoam) food services products. This is a step towards reducing the adverse effects of plastics on the environment and achievement of Goal 14.
    
4. On 29 October, 2010 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
    
5. With the support of UNICEF, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is implementing the Child-Friendly Initiative which includes  public education and awareness raising campaigns on children’s rights to protect them from all forms of violence, including corporal punishment, among other actions.
    
6. In July 2020, the United Nations Development System successfully pitched and received approval for a USD 1.1M joint project, to help three regional governments, including the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, to develop financing strategies in the Blue Economy and creating and enabling framework for SDG Investment. This project is being implemented UNDP, FAO and UNEP.

To learn more visit: https://easterncaribbean.un.org/en/about/saint-vincent-and-grenadines.

To visit the Multi-Country Office website, visit: https://easterncaribbean.un.org/.