The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the International Trade Centre (ITC) collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Labour to host a one-day workshop on Monday, 9 February 2026.  Titled “Strengthening Guyana’s Agribusiness: From Fisheries Cooperatives to Seafood Markets”. The workshop brought together fisheries cooperatives, seafood and agrifood businesses, banks, business support organizations, and policymakers. Its main goal was simple: to help fisheries cooperatives connect more easily with buyers, markets, and sources of finance in Guyana. By creating space for these groups to meet, talk, and plan together, the event aimed to reduce gaps in the seafood value chain and to support more stable, profitable business relationships.Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Hon. Keoma Griffith, in his keynote address, said, “The forum is timely as it ensures that Guyana’s fisherfolk are fully part of the country’s ongoing development and transformation”. He indicated that the government supports these partnerships between international organizations, cooperatives, and the private sector to build more resilient agricultural and fisheries systems that can drive inclusive economic growth in Guyana and across the Caribbean.” Mr. Denzel Roberts, Chief Fisheries Officer of the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, echoed Minister Griffith’s sentiments that the Government of Guyana supports the development of fish cooperatives and this workshop. He added that the event will create linkages between fisherfolk and financial institutions and help the sector access new markets, in line with the Government’s objectives.The event was supported by business stakeholders such as national banks, regional partners, and the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Their involvement facilitated discussions beyond ideas towards practical partnerships that can improve access to markets and finance. Over time, these partnerships can help cooperatives invest in better equipment, improve product quality, and increase production, leading to higher incomes and more secure jobs in fishing and related industries.Rory Osborne, a fisher from Wakenaam, noted, “This event opened my eyes to all the things required to run a coop and was great for networking with new people”.Victor Mangru, a fisher from Region Three, added that “The event is great because I’ve been able to meet people like business incubators, supermarkets, and banks, which can help my business grow”.Through focused discussions and networking sessions, participants shared practical ways to work together more effectively. They looked at how to strengthen relationships between suppliers and buyers, improve productivity and quality, and adopt responsible business practices across the fisheries and agrifood sectors. Special attention was given to the needs of cooperatives, small-scale producers, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), so that growth in the sector benefits a wider range of people.Labour standards and decent work were a key part of the conversation. By encouraging businesses and cooperatives to follow fair labour practices from the start, the workshop helped to link market growth with safer working conditions, skills development, and more stable employment for Guyanese workers.The workshop also allowed representatives from the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Agriculture to engage directly with private-sector actors. This will help to ensure that new business partnerships support national priorities, including sustainability, inclusive growth, and decent employment. When public policy and private investment work in the same direction, successful models can be expanded and have a greater impact across the sector.The representative of Survival Supermarket said that this was a beneficial event for first engagement, and he can see great potential with new seafood suppliers.The collaboration reflects the different but complementary roles of the partners involved:FAO works to strengthen sustainable fisheries, agrifood systems and livelihoods;ITC supports MSMEs to become more competitive and access markets;ILO promotes decent work and respect for labour standards; andGuyana’s Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Labour provide national leadership on sector development and employment.By strengthening links within Guyana’s seafood value chain, the workshop supports national development goals such as job creation, economic diversification and food system resilience. In the longer term, stronger and more inclusive value chains can increase incomes for workers and producers, attract investment, and boost the seafood sector’s contribution to the national economy.The event also supports the goals of the FISH4ACP programme, which aims to make fisheries and aquaculture value chains more sustainable, inclusive and resilient. It contributes to progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to decent work, economic growth, innovation and sustainable use of marine resources.FISH4ACP is an initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) aimed at making fisheries and aquaculture value chains in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific more sustainable. FISH4ACP is implemented by FAO with funding from the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).  Mr. Joan Nadal Sastre, Head of Cooperation for Guyana and Suriname, Delegation of the European Union to Guyana, Suriname and CARICOM, said the EU supports this initiative that will create local added value, stimulate growth, generate decent jobs, and strengthen cohesion that are aligned with the European Union values – particularly inclusion, social cohesion and sustainable development.Looking ahead, the United Nations partners will focus on translating the workshop outcomes into concrete business opportunities for fisheries cooperatives. They hope to sustain the commercial linkages between cooperatives, banks, and supermarkets, strengthen cooperatives’ competitiveness to be more market driven, increase sales volumes, and position them as viable players in Guyana’s seafood market. FAO, ITC and ILO, together with national partners, reaffirmed their commitment to follow up on the outcomes of the workshop and continue supporting the development of competitive, sustainable, and inclusive fisheries and agribusiness value chains that deliver lasting benefits for Guyanese workers, communities, and the economy.

The UN General Assembly’s establishment of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) signals the international community’s recognition that vulnerability poses a major obstacle to sustainable development, particularly as countries face increasing exposure to exogenous shocks and stressors. The MVI measures the structural vulnerability and limited structural resilience of all developing countries and serves as a diagnostic tool to guide coordinated action, improve development decision-making and resource allocation. The Panel is mandated to help ensure the continued robustness, relevance, and credibility of the MVI. Its responsibilities include conducting triennial reviews of the index; monitoring progress by developing countries in reducing structural vulnerabilities; evaluating emerging concepts and data; and reviewing lessons learned from the use of the MVI across the UN system and beyond. Serving in their personal capacity, the Panel’s members bring diverse expertise spanning economic development, social development, environmental protection, vulnerability measurement, and resilience-building. The Panel reflects broad geographical and gender balance and includes leaders from the public sector, academia, civil society, and the international community.  Congratulating the panel, Rabab Fatima, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS), said, “The establishment of the MVI Advisory Panel marks a critical milestone in advancing our collective understanding of structural vulnerability. For far too long, the most vulnerable countries —LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS — have faced exogenous shocks that undermine hard-won development gains and constrain sustainable progress. The MVI is a long-overdue evidence-based instrument to capture these realities. I am confident that the distinguished members of this Panel will help ensure that the Index continues to evolve as a robust instrument to inform policy, enhance access to finance, and support more equitable and resilient development outcomes.”The MVI Advisory Panel will be supported by a dedicated Secretariat, responsible for maintaining the Index and conducting periodic updates. In addition, the Secretariat will carry out a range of functions aimed at strengthening and reporting on the index, including providing capacity-building support to Member States. As part of the governance framework, the UN Statistical Commission will conduct technical reviews of any future enhancements to the index.“The establishment of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) signals a vital recognition that vulnerability to external shocks is a primary obstacle to sustainable development…. To capitalize on the momentum developing countries must advance transformative national development agendas that shockproof their vulnerable economies,” stated Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). He added, “In parallel, the international community must deliver targeted financing at speed and scale. For this to work, consideration of multidimensional vulnerability and its impact cannot be an exception; it must be the norm in the financing policies of IFIs and development partners.” Panel MembershipThe Advisory Panel comprises 15 experts selected from across regions, sectors, and disciplines. Their CVs are available here. Ms. Sabina Alkire — United States Ms. Amatalalim (Amat Al Alim) Alsoswa — Yemen Mr. Tumasie Blair — Antigua and Barbuda Mr. George Carter — Samoa Mr. Paul Cheung — Singapore Mr. Jean‑Christophe Donnellier — France Mr. ZENG Fei — China Ms. Salmou Gourouza Magagi — Niger Mr. Edgar Gutiérrez‑Espeleta — Costa Rica Ms. Fahmida Khatun — Bangladesh Mr. José Antonio Ocampo — Colombia Ms. Adela Raz — Afghanistan Ms. Therese Turner‑Jones — Bahamas Ms. Dzodzi Tsikata — Ghana Mr. Kerfalla Yansane — GuineaNext StepsThe Panel will convene its first meeting in 2026 to adopt its work programme and initiate preparations for the first triennial review of the MVI due in 2028. Additional information: Report:High-level panel on the development of a Multidimensional Vulnerability IndexMultidimensional Vulnerability Index for SIDS (UN DESA)Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (OHRLLS) For more information and for interview requests, please contact: May Yaacoub | UN Office for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States | yaacoubm@un.orgSharon Birch | UN Department of Global Communications | birchs@un.org Helen Rosengren |UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs | rosengrenh@un.org 

New York, 8 January 2026 – Global economic output is forecast to grow by 2.7 per cent in 2026, slightly below the 2.8 per cent estimated for 2025 and well below the pre-pandemic average of 3.2 per cent, according to the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026, released by the United Nations today.During 2025, unexpected resilience to sharp increases in U.S. tariffs, supported by solid consumer spending and easing inflation, helped sustain growth. However, underlying weaknesses persist. Subdued investment and limited fiscal space are weighing on economic activity, raising the prospect that the world economy could settle into a persistently slower growth path than in the pre-pandemic era. The report notes that a partial easing of trade tensions helped limit disruptions to international commerce. However, the impact of higher tariffs, coupled with elevated macroeconomic uncertainties, is expected to become more evident in 2026. Financial conditions have eased amid monetary loosening and improved sentiment, but risks remain high given stretched valuations—especially in sectors linked to rapid advances in artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, high debt levels and borrowing costs are constraining policy space, especially for many developing economies.“A combination of economic, geopolitical and technological tensions is reshaping the global landscape, generating new economic uncertainty and social vulnerabilities,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. “Many developing economies continue to struggle and, as a result, progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals remains distant for much of the world.”Regional economic outlook: expansion broadly steady, but uneven Economic growth in the United States is projected at 2.0 per cent in 2026, compared to 1.9 per cent in 2025, supported by monetary and fiscal easing. However, a softening labour market will likely weigh on momentum. In the European Union, economic growth is forecast at 1.3 per cent in 2026, down from 1.5 per cent in 2025, as higher U.S. tariffs and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty dampen exports. Output in Japan is expected to expand by 0.9 per cent in 2026, compared with 1.2 per cent in 2025, with a modest domestic recovery partly offsetting weaker external conditions. In the Commonwealth of Independent States and Georgia, growth is projected at 2.1 per cent in 2026, mostly unchanged from 2025, even as the war in Ukraine continues to weigh on macroeconomic conditions. In East Asia, growth is projected at 4.4 per cent in 2026, down from 4.9 per cent in 2025 as the boost from front-loaded exports fades. China’s economy is expected to grow by 4.6 per cent, slightly lower than in 2025, supported by targeted policy measures. In South Asia, growth is forecast at 5.6 per cent in 2026, easing from 5.9 per cent, led by India’s 6.6 per cent expansion, driven by resilient consumption and substantial public investment.  In Africa, output is projected to grow by 4.0 per cent in 2026, marginally up from 3.9 per cent in 2025. However, high debt and climate-related shocks pose significant risks. In Western Asia, GDP is expected to grow by 4.1 per cent in 2026, up from 3.4 per cent in 2025, yet the region remains exposed to geopolitical tensions and security risks. In Latin America and the Caribbean, output is expected to expand by 2.3 per cent in 2026, slightly down from 2.4 per cent in 2025, amid moderate growth in consumer demand and a mild recovery in investment.International trade facing headwinds; investment remains subduedGlobal trade proved resilient in 2025, expanding by a faster-than-expected 3.8 per cent despite elevated policy uncertainty and rising tariffs. The expansion was driven by the front-loading of shipments early in the year and robust growth in services trade. However, momentum is expected to ease, with trade growth projected to slow to 2.2 per cent in 2026. At the same time, investment growth has remained subdued in most regions, weighed down by geopolitical tensions and tight fiscal conditions. Monetary easing and targeted fiscal measures have supported investment in some economies, while rapid advances in artificial intelligence fuelled pockets of strong capital spending in a few large markets. The report cautions, however, that the potential gains from AI, when realised, are likely to be unevenly distributed, risking a widening of existing structural inequalities.Inflation continues to slow, yet strains to the cost of living persist The report also underscores that high prices remain a key global challenge even as disinflation continued. Headline inflation declined from 4.0 per cent in 2024 to an estimated 3.4 per cent in 2025 and is projected to slow further to 3.1 per cent in 2026. While overall inflation has moderated, elevated prices continue to weigh on real incomes. Unlike the globally synchronized surge of previous years, inflation trends have become more uneven, shaped by recurring supply bottlenecks amid rising geopolitical and climate‑related risks. Policymakers face an increasingly complex inflation landscape, where supply risks call for a more coordinated and forward-looking approach. Monetary policy remains central but needs to work with credible fiscal frameworks and targeted social measures to protect vulnerable groups. Sectoral polices also play a role by expanding productive capacity and strengthening supply chains, especially in food, energy and logistics. Coordinated action across monetary, fiscal and industrial policies will be critical to managing persistent price pressures without compromising social stability or long-term growth.“Even as inflation recedes, high and still rising prices continue to erode the purchasing power of the most vulnerable,” said Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. “Ensuring that lower inflation translates into real improvements for households requires safeguarding essential spending, strengthening market competition, and tackling the structural drivers of recurring price shocks.”Call for renewed multilateral actionThe report underscores that navigating an era of trade realignments, persistent price pressures, and climate-related shocks will demand deeper global coordination and decisive collective action at a time when geopolitical tensions are rising, policies are becoming more inward-looking, and impetus towards multilateral solutions is weakening. Sustained progress will depend on rebuilding trust, strengthening predictability, and renewing the commitment to an open, rules-based multilateral trading system.The Sevilla Commitment, the outcome document of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, offers a forward-looking blueprint to strengthen multilateral cooperation, reform the international financial architecture, and scale up development finance. Delivering on its key priorities—including clearer debt workout modalities and expanded concessional and climate finance—is essential to reducing systemic risks and fostering a more stable and equitable global economy. ~The World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 will be available on 8 January, 12:45 pm EST at desapublications.un.org.Hashtag: #WorldEconomyReportMedia Contacts: Martin Samaan, UN Department of Global Communications,  samaanm@un.orgHelen Rosengren, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, rosengrenh@un.org

Guyana is one of 14 States to be reviewed by the UPR Working Group during its upcoming session from 28 April to 9 May 2025. The first, second and third UPR reviews of Guyana took place in May 2010, January 2015 and January 2020, respectively.The UPR Working Group is comprised of the 47 Member States of the Human Rights Council. However, each of the 193 UN Member States can participate in a country review.The documents on which the reviews are based are: 1) national report - information provided by the State under review; 2) information contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups, known as the special procedures, human rights treaty bodies, and other UN entities; 3) information provided by other stakeholders including national human rights institutions, regional organizations, and civil society groups.The three reports serving as the basis for the review of Guyana on 6 May can be found here.Location: Room XX, Palais des Nations, Geneva.Time and date: 14:30 – 18:00, Tuesday, 6 May 2025 (GMT+1).The UPR is a peer review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. Since its first meeting was held in April 2008, all 193 UN Member States have been reviewed thrice. During the fourth UPR cycle, States are again expected to spell out steps they have taken to implement recommendations posed during their previous reviews which they committed to follow up on and highlight recent human rights developments in the country.The delegation of Guyana will be led by Ambassador Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations in New York, accompanied by Ms. Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.The three country representatives serving as rapporteurs (“troika”) for the review of Guyana are Belgium, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Dominican Republic.The webcast of the session will be at: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1q/k1qw0iej2oThe list of speakers and all available statements to be delivered during the review of Guyana will be posted on the UPR Extranet.The UPR Working Group is scheduled to adopt the recommendations made to Guyana on Friday, 9 May 2025, between 16:00 and 18:00 (GMT+1). The State under review may wish to express its positions on recommendations posed to it during its review.// ENDS // For more information and media requests, please contact Pascal Sim, Media Officer, at simp@un.org, David Díaz Martín, Public Information Officer at david.diazmartin@un.org, and Matthew Brown, Public Information Officer, at matthew.brown@un.orgTo learn more about the Universal Periodic Review: www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/upr/upr-mainSign up for the UN Human Rights Council Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/a3a538479938/hrc-mailshot-to-ohchr-global