Trinidad secures support of over 100 countries for UN Security Council bid

The Trinidad and Tobago government says it has secured the backing of more than 100 countries, including members of the Caribbean Community, as it prepares to contest a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.

Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers told the Senate on Tuesday that the country will officially launch its campaign in May ahead of the vote, which is expected to take place in June during the United Nations General Assembly.

“Mr. President, based on the time, I would also want to indicate that we do have CARICOM support as it pertains to this particular. We also have global support of over 100 UN member states, including regional groupings,” Sobers said as he contributed to a debate initiated by his predecessor.

Sobers said Trinidad and Tobago’s bid is built on strong bilateral relationships across multiple regions.

“I would like to place squarely on the record that Trinidad and Tobago stands on strong building blocks of cordial bilateral relations and this country has continued to maintain warm relations with our partners, whether it be from the Orient of the Far East, the dunes and rich cultural history of the Middle East, the Romanesque and Gothic designs of Europe, to the great plains of the Americas and lastly, but certainly by no means least, the warmth of the Caribbean and Latin America,” he added.

Sobers said the government remains confident in its bid to serve as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2027–2028 period during elections to be held at the UN’s 80th session in June 2026.

Former Minister Welcomes Continued Bid

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Amery Browne welcomed the government’s decision to continue pursuing the seat, noting that the initiative began under the previous People’s National Movement administration.

Browne said the previous government had sought and secured CARICOM endorsement prior to the last general election.

“We did achieve a CARICOM endorsement of the Trinidad and Tobago campaign with the understanding that we would take the voice of CARICOM with us to the United Nations Security Council,” Browne told lawmakers.

He added that Trinidad and Tobago had first indicated its interest in 2013 to the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean, a United Nations regional group comprising 33 countries from Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Browne stressed the importance of small island states having representation on the Security Council.

“In our opinion, this world does need small islands because it needs our voice, our unique voice, our sovereign voice, our principled voice, even at the level of the United Nations Security Council,” he said.

He also argued that Trinidad and Tobago’s presence would help advocate for peace, international law and justice, while carrying the voice of regional organizations including CARICOM, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the Organization of American States.

Government Defends Foreign Policy Direction

Sobers defended the government’s foreign policy positions, including its relationship with the United States and support for efforts to combat narco-trafficking.

“We make no apology as it pertains to our relationships with the United States,” Sobers said, adding that condemning narcotics trafficking at multilateral forums such as the United Nations General Assembly was necessary.

He also referenced regional security concerns and the impact of illegal drugs and firearms entering Trinidad and Tobago, while noting Washington’s previous military presence in the Caribbean and its operations related to the fight against illegal drug trafficking.

Sobers further said Trinidad and Tobago remains committed to advocating for Small Island Developing States and representing their interests if elected to the Security Council.

Commitment to Regional and Global Representation

Browne emphasized the responsibility associated with serving on the Security Council, particularly for small states.

“It is the government’s primary view that we can only be better together if we confront complex and evolving global issues head-on, instead of burying our heads in the sand,” he said.

He added that Trinidad and Tobago intends to use a Security Council seat to advance the interests of the country, the Caribbean region and the broader international community.

“Once elected, we would ensure that the voices and perspectives of all states are meaningfully represented in the work of the Security Council,” Browne said.