Through an agreement with the government of Canada, UNOPS is hosting and helping establish a new regional mechanism designed to help governments deliver climate-resilient infrastructure more effectively across the Caribbean.

With its Secretariat based in Barbados, the RIISE Facility will provide specialized implementation support to Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, helping governments overcome implementation bottlenecks, speed up project delivery, and strengthen national capacity – ensuring infrastructure investments deliver lasting benefits for communities in Small Island Developing States.

"Canada is proud to support RIISE as part of our longstanding commitment to strengthening climate resilience across the Caribbean," said Brenda Wills, High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and Ambassador of Canada to the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.

Support will be tailored to each government’s needs and may include short-term technical advisory services, the temporary deployment of specialists during critical stages of project implementation, and the exchange of practical knowledge across countries.

"Caribbean governments have clear priorities and an ambitious vision for resilient and sustainable development,” said Giuseppe Mancinelli, UNOPS Director for Barbados and Caribbean Coordinator.

“RIISE will provide timely access to the specialized expertise they need to overcome implementation challenges and turn those priorities into tangible results for communities," he added.

As a UNOPS-hosted entity, RIISE will have its own operational secretariat and governance, drawing on UNOPS global expertise and operational support while operating in line with UN values, principles and administrative standards.

The initiative will officially launch at the Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF) in September 2026, joining a growing portfolio of other initiatives hosted and supported by UNOPS.

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