The UNESCO Kingston Cluster Office for the Caribbean was set up in January 2002 as part of the reorganization of the UNESCO field structure. The Cluster Office works with and for its 13 Member States and seven Associate Member States in the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. Before 2002, the Kingston office had responsibilities for Jamaica, Belize and the Bahamas.
The mandate of the office is to serve the Caribbean Members in the pursuit of peace, eradication of poverty, sustainable development and inter-cultural dialogue through programmes in education, culture, natural sciences, social and human sciences and communication and information.
Responding to the special needs of the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the Cluster Office has launched the Special Initiative for the Caribbean (SPIC). Reflecting upon the common challenges of the region, the SPIC harnesses the great potential with an integrated approach to sustainable development, paying special attention to Youth and Climate Change as its two thematic development priorities.
The Cluster Office works in close collaboration with the National Commissions for UNESCO (NATCOMs) which represent each Member State and Associate Member, and with other agencies in the UN System, the Member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Further partners include regional civil society groups, educational and research institutions as well as professional bodies working in the areas of the mandate.
Mrs. Katherine Grigsby leads the Cluster Office as Director and Representative since August 2015.