Washington, DC · November 19–20, 2026 · By Invitation
Institute of Caribbean Studies Presents
Mobilizing Capital. Strengthening Financial Partnerships. Building Resilient Caribbean Futures.
November 19–20, 2026 | Washington, DC, United States
01 — About the Forum
The Caribbean stands at a critical financial crossroads. Shifts in international development assistance, growing climate and disaster risks, challenges in accessing affordable capital, and pressures on correspondent banking relationships are reshaping the region’s economic prospects.
At the same time, the Caribbean diaspora represents a powerful but underutilized source of financial resources, professional expertise, business networks, and social investment.
INVEST SMART CARIBBEAN 2026 is a two-day policy and investment convening designed to bring together U.S. and Caribbean policymakers, banking and financial institutions, multilateral development partners, diaspora leaders, and private-sector investors to explore practical solutions for financing resilient Caribbean development.
Convened by the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), the Forum seeks to move beyond dialogue toward actionable partnerships, financial innovation, and collaborative initiatives.
02 — Why Now
Responding to reductions and changes in traditional U.S. development assistance, including USAID-supported programs.
Addressing correspondent banking challenges, regulatory compliance, taxation and cross-border financial access.
Exploring mechanisms to channel diaspora savings, remittances and investments into productive and social development.
Mobilizing capital for disaster resilience, healthcare, education, SMEs and sustainable economic growth.
03 — Forum Priorities
The Forum will focus on five interconnected priorities.
Strengthening Caribbean access to international banking networks while examining regulatory, taxation, compliance and financial-sector challenges.
Exploring how remittance flows, diaspora bonds and investment products can contribute to long-term development finance.
Examining diaspora social investment notes, blended finance, and resilience funds to support communities and enterprises.
Connecting bilateral and multilateral financing initiatives with Caribbean priorities and opportunities for private-sector participation.
Exploring the establishment of a platform for sustained business engagement, policy dialogue and investment partnerships.
04 — Program
Program, speakers and venues are subject to confirmation.
Morning: U.S. bilateral investment and development-finance engagement, with invited government and policy representatives.
Afternoon: Multilateral and banking-sector roundtables on correspondent banking, taxation and financial connectivity.
Morning: Multilateral experience with diaspora bonds, remittances and innovative financing mechanisms.
Afternoon: Working groups to develop next steps on banking, remittances, investment notes, resilience financing and the Corporate Council.
05 — Outcomes
From Conversation to Action — this Forum is designed to initiate practical follow-up, including:
Explore the feasibility of a structured instrument that channels diaspora investment into priority social and economic development needs.
Examine opportunities for a fund supporting disaster recovery, healthcare, education and small enterprises.
Develop recommendations and potential collaborations to strengthen financial connectivity and mobilize capital.
Explore its formation as a sustained platform for private-sector partnerships and policy engagement.
These are proposed initiatives for discussion and development, not announced financial products or established funds.
06 — Who Should Participate
INVEST SMART CARIBBEAN 2026 seeks engagement from:
07 — Partnerships
Participation is by invitation or expression of interest. The Forum welcomes prospective institutional partners, technical contributors, investors, policy experts and organizations interested in advancing practical financing solutions.
Join the conversation. Help shape the partnerships. Invest in resilient Caribbean futures.
November 19–20, 2026 | Washington, DC
About the Convener
The Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization established in 1993 to advance Caribbean American interests, strengthen U.S.–Caribbean relations, and promote policy engagement, economic opportunity, cultural recognition and community development.
ICS is the founding architect of National Caribbean American Heritage Month and works across government, business, academia and civil society to advance Caribbean American participation and partnerships.