What did Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago say at the UN General Assembly (UNGA 81)?

She addressed the general debate on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, as the thirteenth speaker of the afternoon session.

The speech in brief

• Guns and drugs. The Caribbean does not make the weapons, she said, but pays a heavy price for them.
• The Security Council. Trinidad and Tobago, elected for 2027 and 2028, will push for tracing firearms, sharing intelligence and guarding borders and seas together.
• The United States. She thanked the Trump administration for including Trinidad and Tobago in the Shield of the Americas.
• Haiti. Full support for restoring security, with a future that is Haitian-led.
• AI. Protect security without closing off innovation.

In her own words

For Trinidad and Tobago, this is not an abstract threat. These networks directly endanger our citizens, our institutions and our development.

“Small states face an asymmetric challenge from sophisticated criminal networks that move people, weapons, narcotics and illicit finance across national borders.”

“Haiti’s political future must ultimately be Haitian-led and Haitian-owned.”

Back home

• The opposition PNM criticized the speech, saying she should have said more about the International Criminal Court and trade.

Watch and read the full speech

Video of the address:

PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s address to the 81st UN General Assembly

The UN’s video of the whole day:

The UN posts the statement on its general debate website.

Every Day 1 speaker, in order: What happened on Day 1 of UNGA 81.