Barbados to Host Regional Policy Meeting by CPDC in October 2024 on Critical Issues Facing Caribbean Nations

Barbados will serve as the host nation for the upcoming Regional Policy Meeting organised by the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC) from October 8 -10, 2024.

This critical event, funded by the Open Society Foundations (OSF) and the European Development Fund (11th EDF), will gather key regional policymakers, advocates, and international experts to chart a new course for governance, development, and resilience in the region; all aimed at improving the lives of Caribbean people.

“Now it is of paramount importance as Caribbean nations face a convergence of complex challenges that threaten to derail sustainable development and the well-being of their citizens. At this critical juncture, the region grapples with persistent poverty, rising inequality, food insecurity, and the existential threat of climate change,” said Richard Jones, Officer in Charge at the CPDC

According to data provided by the CPDC, small economies, burdened by the legacy of colonial extractive practices, remain vulnerable to external shocks such as global price fluctuations and natural disasters.

Climate change, in particular, presents a grave risk, with increasing hurricanes and rising sea levels threatening entire economies, especially those reliant on tourism and fisheries. The Caribbean loses an estimated 3 per cent of its GDP annually due to natural disasters, underscoring the urgent need for robust, coordinated regional responses.

Over the three days, the meeting will drill down into eight critical policy areas under the theme “Forging Ahead,” which addresses the region’s most urgent challenges threatening progression in the region. These include: sustainable development, reform of international financial institutions, debt relief and financial stability, empowerment of vulnerable groups, capacity building for NGOs, food and nutrition security, climate resilience and good governance.

Jones, stated that “these areas are not only crucial but also interconnected. For example, the Caribbean’s food security is directly impacted by climate change, while sovereign debt threatens the region’s ability to invest in resilient infrastructure; we will therefore focus on comprehensive solutions that encompass a range of considerations”.

Noting that progress was already underway by the CPDC in many of these areas, Jones added: “By building on existing projects and facilitating high-level discussions, the Meeting seeks to generate momentum for collaborative action on food security, financial mechanisms, and policies that prioritise the empowerment of vulnerable communities, ultimately fostering a more resilient and equitable Caribbean.”