CARICOM Secretary-General Highlights Connectivity as Cornerstone of Regional Progress at Connected Caribbean Summit 2025

“Our full potential as a Region hinges on our continued commitment to be innovative, united, and sustainable. Collaborative partnerships and targeted investments by both the private and public sectors are the keys that will unlock new opportunities for tourism, trade, and socio-economic development.” – Dr Carla Barnett | Secretary-General | CARICOM

Key Points:

Connectivity as a driver of growth: CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett stressed that digital networks, air travel, and maritime transport are vital to achieving the goals of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Progress and challenges: She noted advances in airlines, port infrastructure, and digital transformation, but underscored that limited flight options, high costs, and regulatory barriers continue to restrict mobility and trade.

Digital transformation priorities: Dr Barnett stated that the Region’s strong mobile penetration and digital skills maturity must be matched with adoption of LTE, 5G, and AI, while ensuring equitable access for rural and vulnerable communities.

Call for partnerships: She emphasised that public-private collaboration, strategic investments, and policy harmonisation are essential to unlock new opportunities in tourism, trade, and socio-economic development across the Caribbean.

Wednesday, 3 December 2025 (CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown):

CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett, underscored the critical importance of connectivity to the Region’s economic and social development in remarks delivered at the Connected Caribbean Summit 2025 (CCS 2025), hosted by the Government of Grenada on 2 December in St George’s.

Dr Barnett emphasised that connectivity, whether through digital networks, air travel, or maritime transport, is central to achieving the objectives of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), first envisioned in the 1989 Grand Anse Declaration and subsequently codified in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. She noted that efficient, affordable, and reliable connections are crucial for facilitating trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges across the Community.

Highlighting progress made in expanding intra-regional airlines, strengthening port infrastructure, and advancing digital transformation, the Secretary-General acknowledged that challenges remain. Limited flight options, high operational costs, regulatory barriers, and uneven port infrastructure continue to restrict mobility and trade. She called for strategic investments, policy harmonisation, and sustainable solutions to ensure resilient transportation and digital networks.

On the digital front, Dr Barnett pointed to the Region’s strong mobile penetration and growing digital skills maturity, supported by initiatives such as the Regional Digital Development Strategy and the Single ICT Space. She stressed the need to embrace emerging technologies, including LTE, 5G, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), while ensuring equitable access for rural and vulnerable communities.

“Our full potential as a Region hinges on our continued commitment to be innovative, united, and sustainable,” Dr Barnett stated. “Collaborative partnerships and targeted investments by both the private and public sectors are the keys that will unlock new opportunities for tourism, trade, and socio-economic development.”

Dr Barnett encouraged the CCS 2025 participants to engage in vibrant and creative discussions that will help harness the transformative power of connectivity to build a resilient, prosperous, and truly united Caribbean Community.

Please watch her complete remarks below:

Helpful Links:

More on CCS 2025:

https://events.connectedcaribbean.org/ccs2025

CARICOM Single Market and Economy

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