WHAT IS SMART CARIBBEAN?

SMART CARIBBEAN is a Framework for accelerating achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the Caribbean.

It calls for public, private and plural sectors in society to work harmoniously to transition systems to benefit from the power of digital technology in ways that promote inclusive prosperity.   It calls for the transition to SMART ISLANDS | SMART CITIES | SMART COMMUNITIES.  It enables the Caribbean transition to a circular economy and optimal management of the most valuable regional public good – the Caribbean Sea. 

What are "smart islands" ?

“Smart Islands” is a concept that integrates information and communication technologies (ICT) with the unique challenges and opportunities presented by islands to improve their sustainability, resilience, and quality of life for their inhabitants. Essentially, the idea is to apply the principles of “smart” to island nation contexts. Here’s what characterizes smart islands:

Integrated Technologies

Smart islands incorporate technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data analytics to optimize public services, enhance infrastructure, and improve overall living conditions

Resilience Building

Given the vulnerability of islands to climate change, smart technologies can be used to create infrastructure and systems that can withstand and adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Renewable Energy

Recognizing the high cost of importing fuel and the abundant natural resources available, smart islands often emphasize the adoption of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, wave, and tidal energy.

Water Management

Using smart sensors and real-time data analysis, water consumption and distribution can be optimized. This is crucial for islands where freshwater might be limited.

Waste Management

Advanced waste management systems aim for reduced waste production, recycling, and innovative waste-to-energy solutions.

Sustainable Mobility

Smart islands might develop integrated transportation systems that prioritize electric or hybrid vehicles, shared transportation, and, in some cases, marine transportation solutions.

Enhanced Connectivity

High-speed internet and robust telecommunications infrastructures become vital to connecting island inhabitants to the broader world and fostering local economic growth.

Data-driven Decision-making

Real-time data from various sensors and sources allow for immediate responses to challenges and informed policy decisions.

Economic Diversification

Smart islands leverage technology to diversify their economies, moving beyond traditional sectors like tourism to fields like tech innovation, digital services, and research.

Environmental Monitoring

Advanced sensor networks monitor the local environment to provide early warnings for natural disasters, track the health of ecosystems, and guide sustainable land use.

Community Engagement

Engaging local inhabitants in decision-making, ensuring they have access to technology and its benefits, and enhancing their quality of life are fundamental aspects of the smart island approach.

Tourism Enhancement

Technology can also improve the tourist experience, from smart transportation solutions to digital platforms that enhance cultural and natural exploration

Ocean Management

Advanced sensor networks monitor the Caribbean Sea across all national EEZs as well  as  international waters to provide complete domain awareness of the maritime/marine nexus, track the health of marine ecosystems in the Caribbean Sea, monitor environmental health of offshore oil wells and guide sustainable management of the Caribbean Blue Economy.

Agenda

November 14, 2024

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Registration and Coffee Hour

12:00 PM - 1:45 PM

Working Lunch Break and Stories From the Field Theme: Pathways to Building A Resilient Blue-Green Economy

9:00 AM - 10:20 AM

Opening High-Level Plenary Theme: U.S.-Caribbean Strategic Partnership for Climate Resilient Blue-Green Economy - Establishing The Strategic Context.

2:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Roundtable 2 Theme: Sustainable Financing and Financial Systems for Resilient Blue Green Economies

10:20 AM – 10:30 AM

Break

3:30 PM - 4:45 PM

Roundtable 3: Theme: Disaster Response, Relief, Recovery and Resilience

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Roundtable 1 Leveraging U.S. Programming – PACC 2030 and CBI for Sustainable Economic Resilience.

4:45 PM - 5:00 PM

Closing Plenary: Theme: Key Takeaways and Roadmap for Future US-Caribbean Collaboration

Agenda

November 15, 2024

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Registration And Coffee Hour

12:15 PM - 2:00 PM

Working Lunch Stories From the Field

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Opening Plenary Theme: Setting the Stage for Inclusive Prosperity in a Blue Green Economy

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Roundtable 3 Theme: Financing the Deal

9:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Roundtable 1 Theme: Opportunities and Options for Investing in a Climate Resilient Blue Green Economy

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Closing Plenary Where do we go from here?

11:00 AM - 12:15 PM

Roundtable 2 Theme: Resilient Infrastructure for Sustainable Growth

Our Speakers

Katharine Beamer

Office of the caribbean affairs at u.s Depertment of State

Director

Simon Littlewood

expert in sustainability, finance, Developing Economies and geopolitics

Smart Solutions and Smart Finance for the Global South

Dr. Amala Luncheon

Eastern New Mexico University in the College of Business

Assistant Professor of Management

Mathew Martin

US coast guard

IMO Consultant

Dr. Stephen Flynn

Global Resilience Institute at Northeastern University

Founding Director

Hon. Aaron T. Manaigo

Global Political Solutions

Managing Partner

Juliana Araujo

Organization Advancement at Partners of the americas

Vice President

Barry Collins

Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, U.S. Agency for International Development

Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator,

Alexis Wilkman

Fair Carbon

Project Developer at Fair Carbon

Lambrini Kolios

U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)

Country Manager - Latin America and Caribbean region

Gabriel De Azevedo

IDB Invest

Chief Strategic Office

Janice Daniel Hodge PhD

Caribbean Development & Environmental Consultants

Managing Director

Eliza Wethey

Inter-American Foundation

Foundation Representative

Tony Harris

E-Magic

Founder & CEO

Charlene Solozano

Department of Sustainable Development Organization of American States

Dr. Nadine Burton

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Aerek Stephens

Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank)

Export Finance Manager

Susan Ware Harris

US State Department

OES

Jamila Thompson

U.S. Trade Representative

Senior Advisor

Stephen L. Rhoden

Faculty of Engineering and Applied Technology Caribbean Maritime University

Senior Lecturer

Co-Chairs

Dr. Nsombi JaJa

President at QMC Inc USA

ICS Board Member and Conference Chair, Institute of Caribbean Studies

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THE AGRICULTURAL FEATURE

The Latest in Agriculture, Business Tech and News.

HIGHLIGHTING STORIES FROM FARMERS NEAR AND FAR

WHAT’S NEW IN FARM TECH

NEW FARMING TECHNIQUES

HARVEST

CLIMATE CHALLENGES

AGRI TOURISIM

HIGHLIGHTING STORIES FROM FARMERS NEAR AND FAR

U.S.-CARIBBEAN Partnership to address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030)

Resources

Supporting Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean

A Guide To Partnering With U.S. International Development Finance Corporation

Agriculture was the first occupation of man, and as it embraces the whole earth, it is the foundation of all other industries. JOHN F. KENNEDY


AGRI EXPORTS

Food, Farm, (Pharm)aceuticals

Exports of primary agricultural commodities accounted for about 16 percent of total exports in 2020 and processed agricultural products for an additional 14 percent. The sector supports an estimated 150 000 rural families and is the country’s second largest employer of labour.

Contact Us

Institute of Caribbean Studies

Washington, DC