UN official urges shift from response to prevention on development issues for SVG
The United Nations Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Simon Springett, has urged developmental partners to abandon isolated projects in favour of connected systems, and their focus be shifted from response towards prevention when addressing issues in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
He spoke about this at the SVG ‘Development Partner Round-table on National Priorities and Resilience’ on June 9, 2026 at the National Insurance Services(NIS) conference room.
The purpose of the two-day forum was to plan national growth and secure money for the country, with goals being to create jobs, fight climate change and improve lives.
The event was held under the theme, ‘From Recovery to Transformation and Resilience’. General Manager of the National Broadcasting Corporation, Dionne John who chaired the event, said SVG is transitioning from a period of intense recovery following the 2021 La Soufrière volcanic eruptions, the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating impacts of Hurricane Beryl, which in July, 2024, “And this is toward a phase of structural transformation and long-term resilience”.
To anchor this transition, she explained, the government is launching a comprehensive national development planning exercise for the period 2027 to 2042, and the development partners round table was the inaugural event for this exercise.
UN Coordinator Springett said it was really a meaningful moment not just for SVG, but for everyone who is committed to walking alongside this country as it moves forward.
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