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
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Co-Chairs
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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
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Institute of Caribbean Studies
Washington, DC