In May 2026, Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) hosted a meeting focused on implementation of the Escazú Agreement in Trinidad and Tobago. During the meeting, participants discussed concerns regarding limited government responsiveness to civil society engagement efforts following the Agreement’s entry into force on 27 April 2026.
According to discussions held during the meeting, CANARI had reportedly attempted direct engagement with relevant government authorities after public statements by government officials encouraging collaboration with civil society on implementation of the Agreement. Participants indicated that outreach efforts, including formal written correspondence, reportedly did not receive acknowledgement or response from government institutions. These concerns were shared during the meeting itself and were not publicly stated by CANARI or reported in the media coverage of the event. Participants expressed concern that the absence of direct engagement mechanisms may undermine meaningful implementation of the Escazú Agreement’s commitments relating to participation, transparency, and environmental governance. The event highlights concerns among environmental civil society actors regarding the gap between public commitments to collaboration and practical institutional responsiveness.