UN report names Barbados world leader in multilateral cooperation

Barbados has emerged as the world’s leading advocate for multilateral cooperation, ranked first  globally on the new UN Multilateralism Index according to the Sustainable Development Report 2024. 

The index evaluates countries based on their participation in international treaties, voting alignment with UN principles, involvement in UN bodies, and financial contributions to the UN system.

The report credited Barbados’ consistent support for multilateral cooperation and its active role on the global stage, noting: “Barbados demonstrates strong engagement across all four dimensions of the index. Its top score reflects a steadfast commitment to the UN system and international norms.”

The report also highlighted the significance of small states like Barbados leading in global diplomacy, stating, “Barbados’ top rank underscores that leadership in multilateralism is not limited to large or wealthy countries.”

Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s ongoing efforts to reform global climate finance through the Bridgetown Initiative were also cited as an example of the country’s advocacy. 

According to the report, “Barbados has emerged as a powerful voice for vulnerable countries seeking reforms to make the international financial system more inclusive and responsive to climate risks.”

The UN Multilateralism Index was introduced in this year’s edition of the annual report, produced by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). 

Barbados ranked ahead of 165 other countries, while the United States placed last.

In addition to its top placement on the multilateralism scale, Barbados held its overall position at 82nd on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Index, which tracks progress toward the UN’s 17 goals for 2030. 

The report highlighted that the country continues to perform well in education, healthcare, and clean water access, but still faces challenges in climate action and housing. 

While the report noted that Barbados has integrated the SDGs into national policy, it also pointed to gaps in data and budgeting, stating, “The SDGs are not explicitly referenced in the country’s central budget documents, and a national statistical framework to track SDG progress remains under development.” (SM)