Caribbean Broadcasting Union Becomes First NGO in the English-Speaking Caribbean to Gain Official Partnership with UNESCO

The Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) has been officially approved as an NGO in partnership with UNESCO, with consultative status. This recognition marks the first time a non-governmental organization from the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean has achieved this distinction.

The decision was warmly welcomed by Member States during the 222nd session of UNESCO’s Executive Board in Paris, who hailed the new status as an important milestone for the CBU. It was also viewed as a source of encouragement for other NGOs across the region and within Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to strengthen their collaboration with UNESCO.

Founded in 1970 with UNESCO’s support, the CBU is a regional, non-profit association comprising public service, commercial, and community broadcasters, media organizations, and regulators. For more than five decades, it has worked to strengthen the Caribbean’s media landscape, ensuring the region’s perspectives are heard internationally.

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

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. - Anthony Greene, President of the CBU

Becoming an official partner of UNESCO is not just a badge of honour. It offers the CBU a seat at the global table — a stronger, direct voice in shaping cultural and media policy worldwide. And the world needs to hear the Caribbean’s voice - Eric Falt, Regional Director and Representative of UNESCO