UNDP Launches 2025 Regional Human Development Report for Latin America and the Caribbean
By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News
The 2025 Regional Human Development Report for Latin America and the Caribbean, themed “Under Pressure: Recalibrating the Future of Development in Latin America and the Caribbean”, was officially launched on Thursday in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Delivering opening remarks, Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, Senator Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh, described the report as “more than just a publication, but a call to action.” He stressed that development strategies must go beyond income measurements, placing people at the center of resilience-building while ensuring that economies serve humanity—not the other way around.
“In the Caribbean, we know what it means to live under pressure. As small island states, we face the front lines of climate change, financial shocks, and global disruptions. Resilience speaks to our capacity to withstand these shocks and emerge stronger,” Dr. Singh noted.
Beyond GDP: A Call for Inclusive Progress
In her feature address, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar emphasized that the report goes far deeper than statistics. She highlighted that true progress cannot be measured by GDP alone but must reflect:
- the quality of classrooms,
- the strength of healthcare systems,
- the fairness of justice systems, and
- the dignity of people.
“The report is a dire warning to all of us in the region, but it also gives us hope,” Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar affirmed.
A Resilient Human Development Framework
The 2025 report introduces a Resilient Human Development Framework with a strong focus on strengthening people’s capacity—particularly the most vulnerable—to withstand, adapt, and thrive in times of uncertainty.
Officials underscored that the framework is intended to guide governments and regional bodies in adopting policies that build sustainable and inclusive societies across Latin America and the Caribbean.
