BELMOPAN, Belize, Jun 17, CMC – Caribbean governments and the United Nations have set the stage for a strengthened development partnership with the presentation of the United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) 2027-2031 for the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.
Over the next five years, the UN said that the new MSDCF, which was presented here during the 2026 annual coordination meeting on Tuesday, will guide coordinated UN support to national and regional priorities, helping to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and deliver meaningful results for people and communities across the region.
Chaired by Belize, the hybrid meeting focused on results, priorities, and the next chapter of cooperation, with participants reflecting on the achievements and lessons of the MSDCF 2022-2026.
UN Resident Coordinator for Belize and El Salvador, and Chair of the Regional Steering Committee of the MSDCF, Raul Salazar, said “with governments and development partners we have worked together to shape a Multi-Country Cooperation Framework that reflects national priorities and regional aspirations.
“This Framework is about creating opportunities, strengthening resilience, protecting the most vulnerable, and delivering tangible results in the daily lives of Caribbean citizens.”
Chief executive officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize, Oscar Arnold, said the MDCF has been “shaped by the priorities, experiences and aspirations of our countries, and stands as a testament to our collective commitment to build a more resilient, inclusive and prosperous Caribbean”.
The meeting was held under the theme “One Caribbean. One Framework. One Future”
with the participants discussing the strategic direction of the MSDCF 2027-2031, which is designed to respond to the Caribbean’s evolving development realities and accelerate progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The UN said that the Framework is organized around two Strategic Pillars.
The first, Economic and Ecosystem Resilience, focuses on economic diversification, skills development, and strengthening ecosystem resilience, while the second, Future Ready People and Empowered Communities, focuses on integrated services and addressing crime and violence prevention.
“Together, these pillars speak to stronger economies, protected ecosystems, better access to services, safer communities, and a region better prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
The UN said that through the presentation of the MSDCF 2027-2031, Caribbean governments and the United Nations reaffirmed their commitment to national ownership, regional cooperation, and meaningful results for people, communities, and future generations.
The focus now turns to implementation planning, coordination, and delivery under the new Framework, ensuring that regional priorities translate into practical action at the national level across countries, it added.
CMC/ah/ir/2026