BASSETERRE — Caribbean leaders and development partners will gather at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort this week to launch a groundbreaking regional framework aimed at tackling crime, violence, and resilience across the Caribbean. The launch of the CARICOM-UNDP Diagnostic Document and Action Framework, titled A Regional Approach to Addressing Crime, Violence, Resilience, and Human Security in the Caribbean, will convene government officials, United Nations entities, civil society organizations, and international partners starting tomorrow (Thursday) at 8:30 a.m. and continuing Friday at 9 a.m.
The two-day engagement represents a pivotal moment for the region, bringing together key stakeholders to advance a shared vision for addressing crime and violence through prevention-focused and public health approaches. According to the National Secretariat for Human Security and Wellbeing, the initiative seeks to strengthen prevention, resilience, partnership, and financing while promoting sustainable approaches to reducing violence across the Caribbean.
“This is an important regional conversation,” the Secretariat said in a statement announcing the launch. “We are bringing together government leaders, regional institutions, United Nations entities, civil society organisations, and development partners to advance a shared vision for addressing crime and violence through prevention-focused and public health approaches.”
The program will feature high-level dialogue, technical discussions, and regional consultations on key areas including strengthening prevention systems, building community resilience, enhancing partnerships, securing sustainable financing, and developing long-term approaches to violence reduction. These discussions aim to produce actionable recommendations that participating nations can implement to address the crime and violence crisis affecting the region.
The event comes as Caribbean governments increasingly recognize the need for coordinated, evidence-based strategies to combat rising crime rates and gang violence. By adopting a public health approach—treating crime and violence as preventable public health issues rather than purely law enforcement concerns—policymakers hope to address root causes and create lasting change.
The National Secretariat for Human Security and Wellbeing has invited members of the media to attend and cover the proceedings on one or both days. Lunch and refreshment breaks will be provided for in-person participants, allowing media representatives and observers to network and engage with regional leaders and development experts.
The framework builds on years of research and regional consultations, synthesizing lessons learned from Caribbean nations’ efforts to combat violence and create safer communities. The diagnostic component provides an evidence-based assessment of the region’s crime and violence challenges, while the action framework offers concrete steps for implementation across multiple sectors and stakeholders.