Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC has highlighted transnational organised crime, illicit weapons and emerging technologies as key security concerns for Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean.
Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday evening, Mrs Persad-Bissessar said sophisticated criminal networks moving people, weapons, narcotics and illicit finance across borders continue to pose a serious threat to small island states.
“For Trinidad and Tobago, this is not an abstract threat. These networks directly endanger our citizens, they endanger our institutions, and they endanger our development. Restoring trust and managing transformation, therefore, must ultimately be about results. Ideally, the transformation that is required involves a United Nations that is responsive, that is effective, and capable of making tangible differences to the safety, security, and well-being of people. Since my government was elected to office in 2025, we have pursued a people-centred agenda focused on safer communities, productive investment, modern public services, and expanded opportunity. A central part of our agenda has been restoring security to our communities.”
To this end, the Prime Minister said Trinidad and Tobago has strengthened cooperation with the United States and other partners to dismantle criminal syndicates, and expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for inviting the country to join the Shield of the Americas and Americas Counter Cartel Coalition earlier this year.
“We remain confident that this partnership will continue to promote freedom, security, and prosperity in our region.”
As Trinidad and Tobago prepares to serve on the UN Security Council for the 2027-2028 term, only the second time in the nation’s history and the first in more than four decades, Mrs Persad-Bissessar said T&T will push for greater international cooperation to tackle the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, narcotics and illicit financial flows.
“The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago intends to bring the perspective and experience of a small island developing state to the Council, whilst remaining guided by the UN Charter, by international law, and the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes. We will bring those principles to every matter before the Council, whether the crisis lies within our region or far beyond it. We will approach our tenure with an independent and practical outlook, working constructively with all members of the Council, and seeking common ground wherever possible. We intend to place particular emphasis on the curbing of the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons. Another pillar on which we had campaigned and intend to commit to is women and children, as well as peace and security.”
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar reaffirmed Trinidad and Tobago’s support for international efforts to restore security and stability in Haiti, while maintaining that its political future must be “Haitian-led and Haitian-owned.”
“Security assistance is necessary, but lasting stability will also require functioning institutions, economic opportunities, and an incredible political process so therefore, as Trinidad and Tobago prepares to serve on the Security Council, we will continue to bring attention to Haiti and to the wider security concerns of the Caribbean, whilst working with CARICOM and other international partners towards practical and sustainable solutions.”
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar said Trinidad and Tobago will also place superintelligence and emerging technologies on the international security agenda, while calling for developing countries to have a greater role in shaping the rules governing their use.
“On the priority area of superintelligence and global security, Trinidad and Tobago will encourage greater consideration of the implications of SI and emerging technologies for international peace and security, including cyberattacks, disinformation, and deepfakes, autonomous weapons, criminal misuse of SI, and threats to critical infrastructure. We acknowledge that these technologies can support conflict prevention, early warning, peacekeeping, and protection of civilians. Trinidad and Tobago will advocate for an approach that safeguards international security without closing off innovation, development, and opportunity, and that ensures developing countries have a meaningful role in shaping the rules for this new technological era.”
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar said Trinidad and Tobago’s Security Council tenure will be guided by the UN Charter, international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.