CARIBBEAN-CBU becomes the first NGO in the Caribbean to be designated as an official UNESCO partner.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Barbados-based Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Monday said it has been officially approved as a non-government organization (NGO) in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

CBU, which was founded in 1970 with UNESCO’s support, said it had been granted “consultative status” and that “this recognition” is the first of its kind for an NGO from the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.

“Becoming an official partner of UNESCO is not just a badge of honor. It offers the CBU a seat at the global table a stronger, more direct voice in shaping cultural and media policy worldwide. And the world needs to hear the Caribbean’s voice,” said Eric Falt, UNESCO Representative for the Caribbean.

The CBU is a regional, non-profit association comprising public service, independent, and community media services, media education institutions, and regulators.

“Since the very birth of CBU in 1970 with UNESCO’s support, our partnership has been instrumental in strengthening Caribbean media at home and ensuring our sector has a voice on the global stage,” said CBU president, Anthony Greene, highlighting the long and productive relationship between the two organizations.

The CBU said that the status conferred during the 222nd session of UNESCO’s Executive Board in Paris, was also welcomed by member states hailing it as a significant achievement for the Union and a signal of encouragement for other NGOs in the Caribbean and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to strengthen their collaboration with UN body that promotes world peace and security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture.

The CBU said that with its new consultative status, it will now join UNESCO’s broader family of NGOs worldwide to advance shared priorities in education, science, culture, and communication.

It said plans are already in motion for joint activities during Global Media and Information Literacy Week from October 24, and preparations for World Radio Day 2026, to be celebrated under the theme “Radio and Artificial Intelligence.