St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago (16 December 2024) – The Open Source Ecosystem Enabler (OSEE) initiative announced the selection of Trinidad and Tobago for the establishment of its first Open Source Programme Office (OSPO) to catalyze digital public services that are accessible, inclusive and sustainable for local communities.

Launched earlier this year, OSEE is a joint initiative between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with support from the European Union. As part of its mission to support governments and institutions in their digital transformation journey, the initiative will establish dedicated OSPOs. These units will help to create choices and advance the adoption of open-source technology as a key enabler of digital transformation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. 

The University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus (UWI-STA) in Trinidad and Tobago will be the host of the OSPO. With open innovation, open software and open ways of working, the OSPO at UWI-STA’s goal is to strengthen the capacity of the country’s Ministry of Digital Transformation as part of the Small Island Developing States’ (SIDS) 2.0 ambitions as digital leaders. Activities led by this OSPO will include promoting accessibility to open-source tools, delivering resources and training on open-source governance, offering guidance on software licensing rules and sharing best practices on how to build collaborative tech communities. 

For small island developing states such as Trinidad and Tobago, open-source technology offers significant benefits for inclusive governance in today’s digital age. Organizations for instance can bypass vendor ‘lock-in’ to costly third-party technologies. For governments, this choice can lead to cost savings and improved efficiencies, ultimately making public services more accessible and sustainable during their development pathways. 

The OSEE initiative will support wider digital transformation across the Caribbean through the SIDS 2.0 initiative. This collaborative effort aims to redefine the digital landscape of SIDS and will support Caribbean countries as they increasingly harness the power of digital technology for sustainable development. 

Michelle Baptiste, Senior Manager at Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Digital Transformation said, “Establishing the OSPO in Trinidad and Tobago is a strategic step towards enhancing the country's digital governance capabilities. By creating a collaborative environment, we are not only developing our country through the use of innovative mechanisms, but also setting a precedent that can be followed by other nations in the Caribbean and the rest of the world.”

Ugo Blanco, Resident Representative for the UNDP Multi-Country Office for Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curaçao and Saint Maarten said, “Trinidad and Tobago stands out as an exemplar in how UNDP responds to country demand where technology choices in countries can lead to sustainable local capacities. With an OSPO embedded in the country’s vibrant local digital ecosystem, this will further nurture an enabling environment where others in the region and beyond can both share experiences and learn together from each other.”  

Dr. Kim Mallalieu, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Chair of the Campus ICT Steering Committee at UWI-STA said, “We are delighted to host the OSPO here at UWI-STA. This marks a significant step towards transforming the digital landscape of Trinidad and Tobago. The initiative aligns with the Campus’ commitment to academic excellence and innovation, and strengthens our role in developing inclusive digital solutions that can enhance public service delivery across the nation.”  

A second OPSO will be announced in the coming months as part of the OSEE initiative. UNDP and ITU invite institutions and stakeholders that are on their digital transformation journey to engage with and learn together from this pilot.  

For more information on the OSEE initiative and updates on UNDP’s work on open source, please contact opensource@undp.org.

About UNDP

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP and @UNDPDigital.

About ITU   

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), driving innovation in ICTs together with 193 Member States and a membership of over 900 companies, universities, and international and regional organizations. Established over 150 years ago, ITU is the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to cutting-edge wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, oceanographic and satellite-based earth monitoring as well as converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world.     

About EU Global Gateway   

The EU Global Gateway strategy provides the framework for the European Union’s external action. It is the EU’s positive offer to partner countries in support of their own strategic autonomy. This offer aims at narrowing the global investment gap with value-driven investments from public and private sectors, supporting global economic recovery and accompanying the twin green and digital transitions outside the EU. Across the world, Global Gateway aims to mobilise up to 300 billion euros in investments between 2021 and 2027 with a mix of grants, concessional loans and guarantees to de-risk private sector investments. 

About The University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier higher education institution. As one of only two regional universities worldwide, it consists of five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and maintains global centres through partnerships in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The UWI has consistently ranked among the world’s top universities by the Times Higher Education (THE) agency. Learn more at www.uwi.edu.
 

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