How Grenada Took UFOs to the United Nations

Introduction

Grenada’s most significant connection to UFO history comes not from a verified sighting or recovered object, but from Prime Minister Sir Eric Gairy’s attempt to make UFO research an issue of international governance. During the late 1970s, Gairy argued that unidentified flying objects and related phenomena deserved coordinated scientific study, and he used Grenada’s position at the United Nations to push for an international research mechanism. His campaign resulted in formal UN discussions in 1977 and 1978, making Grenada one of the few countries to place UFO investigation on the agenda of a major international organisation.[United Nations Digital Library System]digitallibrary.un.orgited Nations Digital Library SystemEstablishment of an agency or a department of the United Nations for undertaking, co-ordinating and…

The initiative remains controversial because it sat between scientific inquiry, political advocacy, and Gairy’s personal beliefs about unexplained phenomena. Supporters viewed it as an early call for international cooperation on an unresolved subject, while critics considered it an unusual diplomatic priority for a small Caribbean state facing serious domestic political tensions. The lasting historical importance of Grenada’s UFO story lies mainly in this diplomatic campaign rather than in evidence for extraterrestrial activity.[The Washington Post]washingtonpost.comThe Washington Post Some People Think Grenada Is a UFOThe Washington PostSome People Think Grenada Is a UFO - The Washington PostNovember 6, 1977…Published: November 6, 1977

Gairy’s interest in unexplained phenomena

From personal curiosity to government policy

Sir Eric Gairy, Grenada’s prime minister from 1974 until his government was overthrown in 1979, developed a strong personal interest in UFO reports and other unexplained phenomena. Contemporary accounts described him as fascinated by questions that he believed remained unanswered by conventional science, including reports of unidentified objects and possible extraterrestrial life.[The Washington Post]washingtonpost.comThe Washington Post Some People Think Grenada Is a UFOThe Washington PostSome People Think Grenada Is a UFO - The Washington PostNovember 6, 1977…Published: November 6, 1977

Gairy did not present UFO research simply as a hobby. As head of government, he argued that unidentified phenomena were a matter worthy of systematic investigation and international cooperation. His position was that individual countries lacked the resources and information-sharing systems needed to examine reports from around the world. This transformed the subject from a private interest into a diplomatic proposal.[United Nations Digital Library System]digitallibrary.un.orgited Nations Digital Library SystemSPECIAL POLITICAL COMtHTTEEJanuary 21, 2026…Published: January 21, 2026

The available record does not establish that Gairy’s views were based on independently verified UFO evidence from Grenada. Some accounts refer to his belief that unusual events had occurred in or around the island, and later retellings have repeated claims that he personally witnessed unexplained objects. However, the strongest documented evidence concerns his advocacy activities, speeches, and UN submissions rather than any confirmed encounter.[United Nations Digital Library System]digitallibrary.un.orgited Nations Digital Library SystemSPECIAL POLITICAL COMtHTTEEJanuary 21, 2026…Published: January 21, 2026

The push for international UFO research

Taking UFOs to the United Nations

Gairy’s campaign reached the United Nations in the 1970s through Grenada’s diplomatic delegation. In 1977, Grenada submitted a draft resolution calling for the establishment of a UN agency or department to undertake, coordinate, and distribute research into unidentified flying objects and related phenomena. The proposal was formally recorded as a UN General Assembly document.[United Nations Digital Library System]digitallibrary.un.orgited Nations Digital Library SystemEstablishment of an agency or a department of the United Nations for undertaking, co-ordinating and…

The proposal was notable because it did not ask the UN to accept extraterrestrial explanations as fact. Instead, it framed UFOs as an area requiring organised research and the exchange of information between governments. The argument was that unexplained reports existed internationally and should be examined through a coordinated process rather than through isolated national efforts.[United Nations Digital Library System]digitallibrary.un.orgited Nations Digital Library SystemEstablishment of an agency or a department of the United Nations for undertaking, co-ordinating and…

UN records show that Gairy personally addressed the issue and argued that modern scientific progress had not eliminated all unexplained questions. During discussions of the proposal, Grenada presented the creation of an international research body as a way to collect data and encourage cooperation.[United Nations Digital Library System]digitallibrary.un.orgited Nations Digital Library SystemSPECIAL POLITICAL COMtHTTEEJanuary 21, 2026…Published: January 21, 2026

The 1978 continuation of the campaign

Grenada renewed its effort in 1978 by again placing the subject before the United Nations. A Grenadian request sought inclusion of an agenda item concerning the creation of an agency or department for researching and coordinating information on UFOs and related phenomena.[United Nations Digital Library System]digitallibrary.un.orgited Nations Digital Library SystemRequest for the inclusion of an item in the provisional agenda of the 33rd session:July 12, 1978…Published: July 12, 1978

The resulting 1978 draft resolution repeated the central idea of the campaign: that the UN could provide a neutral forum for gathering and sharing research. The proposal became part of discussions in the General Assembly’s Special Political Committee, where the subject received formal attention but did not lead to the creation of a permanent UN body.[United Nations Digital Library System]digitallibrary.un.orgited Nations Digital Library System Unidentified flying objectsited Nations Digital Library SystemUnidentified flying objects…

The campaign also brought together figures from the wider UFO research community. Accounts of the 1978 UN discussions refer to presentations involving researchers and public figures interested in UFO investigation, helping make the event one of the most visible moments in the history of official UFO advocacy.[The UFO Database]theufodatabase.comThe UFO Database Eric Gairy | The UFO DatabaseThe UFO Database Eric Gairy | The UFO Database

Political impact and lasting legacy

A diplomatic achievement with limited institutional results

Gairy’s campaign achieved something unusual: it moved UFOs from a subject usually discussed by private researchers and enthusiasts into formal international diplomacy. The UN documents remain the clearest evidence that Grenada successfully created an official discussion of UFO research at the international level.[United Nations Digital Library System]digitallibrary.un.orgited Nations Digital Library SystemEstablishment of an agency or a department of the United Nations for undertaking, co-ordinating and…

However, the campaign did not produce the institution Gairy wanted. No permanent UN UFO agency was established, and the issue did not develop into a continuing UN scientific programme. The initiative therefore represents a moment of diplomatic attention rather than a successful attempt to create a global research organisation.[United Nations Digital Library System]digitallibrary.un.orgited Nations Digital Library System Unidentified flying objectsited Nations Digital Library SystemUnidentified flying objects…

How the campaign affected Gairy’s political image

The UFO initiative became closely linked with Gairy’s public reputation. International media often highlighted his interest in flying saucers alongside coverage of his unconventional political style. When Gairy was removed from power by the New Jewel Movement in March 1979, reports frequently mentioned his UN UFO advocacy as one of the most memorable aspects of his leadership.[The Washington Post]washingtonpost.comThe Washington Post Flamboyant Grenada Leader Is reported Ousted in a CoupThe Washington PostFlamboyant Grenada Leader Is reported Ousted in a Coup - The Washington Post…

This association shaped how later generations viewed the episode. Some critics treated the campaign as evidence of eccentric leadership, while UFO researchers often regarded Gairy as a political figure who helped bring serious attention to reports of unexplained aerial phenomena. The historical record supports a more balanced interpretation: Gairy was a genuine advocate for international UFO research, but the available evidence does not demonstrate that his campaign uncovered proof of extraterrestrial activity.[The Washington Post]washingtonpost.comThe Washington Post Some People Think Grenada Is a UFOThe Washington PostSome People Think Grenada Is a UFO - The Washington PostNovember 6, 1977…Published: November 6, 1977

Grenada’s UFO diplomacy therefore remains significant because of its governance experiment. A small Caribbean state used international institutions to argue that a disputed scientific question deserved collective investigation. Whether viewed as visionary, unconventional, or politically impractical, Gairy’s campaign created a unique chapter in both Grenada’s diplomatic history and the broader history of UFO advocacy.[United Nations Digital Library System]digitallibrary.un.orgited Nations Digital Library SystemEstablishment of an agency or a department of the United Nations for undertaking, co-ordinating and…

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Endnotes

1. Source: history.state.gov
Link:https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1977-80v27/d99

2. Source: ufo.se
Link:https://www.ufo.se/index.php/26-fakta?start=606

3. Source: digitallibrary.un.org
Link:https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/679889

4. Source: digitallibrary.un.org
Title: ited Nations Digital Library System Unidentified flying objects
Link:https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/678474?ln=en

5. Source: washingtonpost.com
Title: The Washington Post Some People Think Grenada Is a UFO
Link:https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1977/11/06/some-people-think-grenada-is-a-ufo/47e0490b-b764-48ce-8cef-8c426abf13b9/

Published: November 6, 1977

6. Source: washingtonpost.com
Title: The Washington Post Flamboyant Grenada Leader Is reported Ousted in a Coup
Link:https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1979/03/14/flamboyant-grenada-leader-is-reported-ousted-in-a-coup/91538c7f-87f8-4438-a3e0-741451ad9e3c/

7. Source: digitallibrary.un.org
Link:https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/676944/files/A_SPC_32_SR-35-EN.pdf

Published: January 21, 2026

8. Source: theufodatabase.com
Title: The UFO Database Eric Gairy | The UFO Database
Link:https://theufodatabase.com/people/eric-gairy

9. Source: digitallibrary.un.org
Link:https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/655114

Published: July 12, 1978

10. Source: digitallibrary.un.org
Title: ited Nations Digital Library System UN
Link:https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/673553/files/A_SPC_33_PV.35-EN.pdf

11. Source: washingtonpost.com
Title: Grenada: One Year Later
Link:https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1984/10/25/grenada-one-year-later/86996b34-d24d-4b3a-8fef-cfe095904425/

12. Source: washingtonpost.com
Title: Grenada’s Ex-Premier Gairy Wants to Name Airport After Reagan
Link:https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1984/02/05/grenadas-ex-premier-gairy-wants-to-name-airport-after-reagan/c3700fd1-907e-4296-bf08-6b70bf61e66e/

13. Source: washingtonpost.com
Link:https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1983/10/26/grenada/54913432-431e-4d2d-bc5e-a489b2870f14/

14. Source: washingtonpost.com
Title: Invasion Caps 4 Years of Tension Between Ministate and the U.S
Link:https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1983/10/26/invasion-caps-4-years-of-tension-between-ministate-and-the-us/6baaf7d3-aeca-4fa4-99c7-581a55ebb00a/

15. Source: washingtonpost.com
Title: U.S. vs. Cuba On Caribbean Isle of Grenada
Link:https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1979/04/27/us-vs-cuba-on-caribbean-isle-of-grenada/ff9069cc-973f-4d94-9f38-76eacdca7c3c/

16. Source: digitallibrary.un.org
Link:https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/678474

17. Source: digitallibrary.un.org
Link:https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/678474?ln=ru

18. Source: digitallibrary.un.org
Link:https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/655114?ln=en

19. Source: digitallibrary.un.org
Link:https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/655114?ln=es

20. Source: digitallibrary.un.org
Link:https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/655114?ln=fr&v=%5B%22%5B%27pdf%27%5D%22%5D

21. Source: digitallibrary.un.org
Link:https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/384135

22. Source: digitallibrary.un.org
Link:https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/660850

23. Source: digitallibrary.un.org
Link:https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/660849

Additional References

24. Source: listennotes.com
Title: Audio Blog: The U.N., UFOs, ICUFON, and SBI
Link:https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/podcast-ufo/audioblog-the-un-ufos-icufon-e8X6puBz10H/

25. Source: cia.gov
Link:https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/cia-rdp80m00165a002200090005-7

26. Source: countdowntodisclosure.com
Title: The answer
Link:https://countdowntodisclosure.com/articles/un-resolution-33-426-the-only-formal-united-nations-action-on-ufos-1978/

Published: March 1, 2026

27. Source: presidency.ucsb.edu
Link:https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/meeting-with-prime-minister-eric-m-gairy-grenada-exchange-remarks-with-reporter-following

28. Source: presidency.ucsb.edu
Link:https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/memorandum-for-the-heads-departments-and-agencies-affirmative-action-the-executive-branch

29. Source: historynewsnetwork.org
Link:https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/behold-the-sky-full-of-such-mischief-british-ufo-f

30. Source: presidency.ucsb.edu
Link:https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/memorandum-for-the-heads-executive-departments-and-agencies-state-and-local-officials

31. Source: presidency.ucsb.edu
Title: united states sinai support mission message the congress transmitting report
Link:https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/united-states-sinai-support-mission-message-the-congress-transmitting-report

32. Source: scribd.com
Title: The United Nations 1978 UFO Committee Initiative By Peter Robbins
Link:https://www.scribd.com/document/25234390/The-United-Nations-1978-UFO-Committee-Initiative-By-Peter-Robbins

33. Source: presidency.ucsb.edu
Title: memorandum from the president the acid rain research program
Link:https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/memorandum-from-the-president-the-acid-rain-research-program