UN seat ‘strengthens our nation’s voice and influence’: T&T PM

Trinidad and Tobago’s seat on the United Nations Security Council has been presented by the government as an opportunity to elevate the country’s international role, with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar pledging a focus on the women, peace and security agenda.

Addressing Parliament on Friday, she said the non-permanent membership would place the country at a key centre of global decision-making for the next two years. She argued that global developments now directly affect domestic conditions such as jobs, trade and security.

“For the next two years, TNT will have a seat at one of the world’s most important decision-making tables, alongside some of the most influential countries on earth,” she told legislators. She said the role would “strengthen our nation’s voice and influence, create new opportunities for investment and strategic partnerships”.

The Prime Minister rejected claims that the achievement was symbolic, saying the government would pursue consensus building within the Council. She said Trinidad and Tobago would promote dialogue in an increasingly complex global environment.

Her comments followed opposition references to earlier terms on the Security Council during 1985–1986 and 2002–2003 under the People’s National Movement.

Persad-Bissessar replied that the comparisons were outdated. “I am reminded, Mr. Speaker, that is almost 50 years ago,” she said, adding that the current geopolitical climate was more challenging and that the present administration had secured support from 181 countries.

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles raised the historical record during the sitting.

Outside Parliament, former prime minister Dr. Keith Rowley welcomed the outcome but urged caution. In a Facebook post, he said earlier groundwork had contributed to the result and congratulated former foreign affairs ministers Dr. Amery Browne and Sean Sobers.

Rowley also questioned how the country would manage its responsibilities, citing recent diplomatic controversies and urging careful handling of international matters, including Middle East tensions and regional relations.

Persad-Bissessar also outlined the campaign effort behind the election, noting that a United States based lobbying firm had been engaged from 2016 to 2025 at a cost of about US$10.27 million under the previous administration.

She said results were limited despite that spending. “There is little evidence of measurable achievements,” she said, contrasting it with her government’s approach.

She stated that Trinidad and Tobago won 181 of 191 votes in the United Nations General Assembly, including backing from all five permanent members of the Security Council, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Russia.

Describing it as a “major diplomatic victory”, she said it reflected renewed confidence in the country’s leadership and was achieved through sustained engagement across multiple regions since the campaign began last year.

Persad-Bissessar said the result, secured within one year of taking office, represented a national achievement built on long term diplomatic planning.

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