Agenda

CARIF delivers two days of dynamic debate and networking, via a mix of high-level interviews, panel discussions, community polling and roundtable conversations. Leading players will debate the most pressing topics in the Caribbean infrastructure space including:

How to incentivize the flow of private finance to sustainable and resilient infrastructure projects?
Building grid infrastructure for the future of the Caribbean power sector
Mobilizing capital for food security
Next generation climate-smart construction
Caribbean Cities: municipal development and revitalization; what does urban resilience look like in the Caribbean context?
Digital Infrastructure Revolution: How to prioritize investment
How can we deliver the necessary infrastructure to support the decarbonization of the Caribbean shipping industry?
Is waste-to-energy the right way to address the Caribbean’s waste management challenges?
Plus, sector updates and opportunities: transportation, ports and airports, water, healthcare, and more

Away from the CARIF Main Stage, we invite attendees to meet the market through numerous structured and unstructured networking opportunities, including the fountain-side cocktail reception, networking-enhanced thematic roundtables, and sunrise yoga and fun-run offerings.

Monday

September 18

8:00-8:45

Registration Opens

8:45-9:00

Welcome Remarks and CARIF Stage Setter

Dynamic Warm Up/Caribbean Infrastructure Investment by the Numbers/Sustainability Report

Stephen Beatty

KPMG International
Global Head of Infrastructure and Head, Global Cities Center of Excellence

9:00-10:00

Ministerial and Multilateral Leaders: Delivering on Island Infrastructure Ambitions

Island leadership detail the key pillars of their infrastructure strategies

National Infrastructure Plans detailed, opportunities presented
What developments and progress have we seen since CARIF 2023? Are governments delivering on their stated commitments?
How is climate adaptation cross-cutting sectors in infrastructure planning long-term?
To what degree is technology being integrated into infrastructure planning and design, to increase resilience and reduce costs? Are island administrations sufficiently supported in this effort?
How are relationships with project sponsors, operators, and investors developing and what can be done to encourage increased investment in island infrastructure?

Joseph Cox

CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) SECRETARIAT
Assistant Secretary-General, Economic Integration, Innovation and Development (EIID)
Hon. William Duguid, M.P.

Government of Barbados
Senior Minister with Responsibility for Infrastructure

10:00-11:00

Stimulating the Flow of Private Finance to Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure Projects

Considering the impact of recent regulatory changes on the availability of private capital for sustainable infrastructure projects
What is the landscape of private finance organizations active in funding sustainable infrastructure projects? (in green finance, transition finance, impact finance, etc.)
How can Governments create policy and regulatory environments that stimulate the flow of private finance to sustainability, resilience, and growth initiatives?
Are multilaterals and DFIs key to demonstrating project viability to the private sector? How to better leverage their participation to get projects off the ground
How to leverage private capital in blue/green bond issuances in island economies
Improving impact measuring and reporting as a means to stimulate investment appetite
Best approaches to mitigate increasing climate risk in transaction design
Blended finance trending up and what this means for the project pipeline

Adam Carter

CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank
Managing Director, Head - Investment Banking

Dustin Delany

Dentons
Chair and Regional Managing Partner Moderator

11:00-11:30

Networking

11:30-12:15

Building a Better Project Pipeline: Collaborative Solutions to Deliver on Clean and Resilient Infrastructure

How do project sponsors perceive the outlook for development in the Caribbean? How does it compare to other regions?
Expanding PPPs to support the project pipeline
What are the key challenges sponsors face when executing projects in the region? How can PPP use be expanded into less traditional infrastructure sectors?
What key actions from island governments would stimulate developer and investor appetite?
How to increase the use of PPPs as a tool to create more bankable projects? How can PPP use be expanded into less traditional infrastructure sectors?

12:15-12:35

Country Focus: Jamaica’s Economic and Infrastructure Development Strategy In the Spotlight

12:35-2:00

Lunch

2:00-2:45

Meeting the Evolving Infrastructure Needs of the Cruise Tourism and Shipping Industries

Is there a trend towards smaller, lower volume cruise ships? How does this impact port and related infrastructure demand?
How can policymakers and private stakeholders develop a more holistic approach to infrastructure planning, in order to streamline the flow of goods and passengers?
How can the stakeholders support the decarbonization of the Caribbean shipping and cruise tourism industries and what infrastructure investments must be programmed and funded in order to do so?

Hon. Minister Kenneth V. Bryan

Cayman Islands Government
Minister for Tourism and Ports

2:45-3:15

Presentation: Building Grid Infrastructure for the Future of Caribbean Power

As regional administrations strive to meet ambitious NDCs, are governments and utilities doing enough to firm and expand the grid?

Where are the vital investment points and are these included in national infrastructure plans?
What is best practice in the island context, to manage community push-back on grid infrastructure development?
Managing EV-charging integration into grid planning and development

3:15-4:00

Mobilizing Capital for Food Security, and Improving Distribution Networks

What food security technologies deliver viable solutions in the island context and present attractive investment opportunities?
What are the priority infrastructure developments needed to reduce inefficiencies and loss in distribution networks?
How to integrate resilience into food security, and function within land-restricted countries?
What is the outlook for impact and how can this translate into investment returns?
What are multilaterals and DFIs doing to mobilize private capital for priority projects and innovations in the sector?

Carlos E. Palacious

Bron Ltd.
Managing Principal
Codi Whittaker

Primitive Greens
Co-Founder and Operator

4:00-4:30

Coffee Break

4:30-5:15

Health Infrastructure: Building Healthy Hospitals

How are hospitals responding to the impacts of events and what lessons can we learn from having to build back stronger?
To what extent can ESG initiatives deliver value and long-term sustainability for hospitals?
What are the challenges in delivering sustainable care and how can we mitigate them?

Dr. Anna van Poucke

KPMG
Global Head of Healthcare

5:15-6:00

Critical Infrastructure Investments to Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change on Caribbean Tourism

Where are the critical investment points to mitigate the impact of human activity-enhanced natural phenomena such as coastal erosion, sargasso, plastics, etc?
Is it economically viable to convert this burden to an opportunity, for example as fertilizer or fuel? What technology and financing would be needed?
How can real impact be measured and who derives the benefits and bears financial responsibility?
How can a collaborative regional mitigation infrastructure be developed, financed, and implemented?

Hon. Minister Kenneth V. Bryan

Cayman Islands Government
Minister for Tourism and Ports
Donald Thompson

CRDC Global
Founder and CEO

Alfonso Guzman

President
K&M Advisors LLC Moderator

6:00-6:20

CARIF Awards 2023: Presentation

6:20-8:00

CARIF Networking Reception

Tuesday

September 19

Additional Enrollment Required

8:15-9:30

CARIF Roundtables

Bring your questions, comments, and ideas, then grab a coffee and join these networking-enhanced thematic roundtables. Conclusions and priorities will be identified, then shared with the broader New Energy community in a follow up report.

Advanced sign-up recommended.

Additional Enrollment Required

8:15-9:30

Transportation Infrastructure Rethink: How to Deliver Greener, More Resilient and More Cost Effective Transport

CARIF Roundtables

– Incorporating infrastructure to support the decarbonization of road transport

– National planning strategies for more effective connectivity and efficiency

– Planning for long-term EV charging infrastructure

Next Generation Climate Smart Construction

CARIF Roundtables

- How can climate smart construction contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change?

- Enhancing energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption in buildings?

- Integration with other sustainability initiatives

- Ensuring accessibility and affordability for all communities

- Enhancing education and training

- Does/should climate smart construction fall under any regulatory framework?

- R&D review

- What are the economic benefits of climate smart construction, short and long-term?

Additional Enrollment Required

8:15-9:30

ESG

CARIF Roundtables

Innovative Approaches to Water Supply Challenges

CARIF Roundtables

- How can regional stakeholders prioritize challenges of water scarcity related to climate change?

- Can atmospheric water harvesting fill a gap in supply for local populations?

- How to reduce inefficiencies in water supply

Kyle Taylor

Eco Skywater
Founder

9:30-9:35

Chairperson Welcome

Isabel de Caires

CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank
Director, Investment Banking

9:35-10:00

Country Interview: Bahamas: The Next 50 Years

10:00-10:45

Making Caribbean Airports More Sustainable, Bankable, and Adaptable to Traveler Needs

Facts and figures on Caribbean development and pipeline
Building, expanding, and retrofitting airports in line with sustainability objectives: How will projects be financed and delivered?
Can we start planning for the integration of SAF Fuels, H2, and Electric Aviation?
How to incorporate technology to maximize the functionality of existing regional airports? What infrastructure and operational shortcomings can be identified and addressed?
Re-imagining airport design to reduce project costs
How can we drive investment toward these projects?
Review of regional airports under development or in the pipeline: What obstacles have/are being encountered in terms of approvals/financing and how can these be overcome?

Dr. Rafael Echevarne

ACI-LAC Airports Council International, Latin America & Caribbean
Director General
Filipe Pereira dos Reis

IATA
Regional Director, Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security, The Americas
Dr. Kenneth Romer

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
Director of Aviation & Deputy Director General

Gemel Sobers

CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank
Director, Corporate & Investment Banking (Cayman, BVI, Dutch Caribbean) Moderator

10:45-11:30

Building Better Urban Infrastructure: Investments to Increase Resilience, Revitalize Cities, and Meet the Need for Affordable Housing

What does urban resilience look like in the Caribbean?
House can infrastructure best be designed to address housing deficits in a sustainable way?
Addressing challenges related to coastal city climate risk and shifting population trends
How do urban revitalization and housing projects appeal to ESG investors? How can this appetite be increased?
How can local and national governments best cooperate with the private and multilateral sectors for development projects?

11:30-12:00

Networking

12:00-12:45

Digital Infrastructure Revolution: How to Prioritize Investment and Create Viable Market Conditions

Exploring key priorities to securing critical digital infrastructure in support of regional growth. How these can be executed and financed?

Visions to grow the digital economy in the region: How should government and business leaders prepare for next-generation technology to increase the region’s competitiveness?
Investing in emerging digital technologies to tee up growth In business, services, and economies
How can challenges of shifting demand, OTTs, and regulation be addressed to support competitive and reliable service?
How can government leaders support a pro-investment environment?
Is infrastructure sharing helping or harming the industry and customers?
How can we maximize capacity building as a region?
How are multilateral organizations leading the effort to create a tech-ready workforce?

12:45-1:30

Water and Waste-Water Management: Innovations in Design, Operations, and Financing of Resilient Projects

Waste management rethink: Why, and how, are some islands prioritizing waste-to-energy in support of sustainability goals
In the face of increasing risk of interval droughts/floods due to climate change, how must islands increase resilience to guarantee sufficient safe water supply?
What innovations in project design are making systems more sustainable and cost-effective?
Exploring approaches to project structure and operation: What can we learn and replicate from recent transactions?
How can we change perceptions of waste facilities to be seen as energy generation solutions?

Nick St. Georges

Integrated Sustainability
Vice President of International pursuits
Stuart Hamilton

Miya Water | Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association
Vice President Growth | Vice President

1:30-1:45

CARIF Conclusions and Takeaways: Making Commitments for CARIF 2024

Gillian Charles-Gollop

CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank
Executive Director, Corporate Banking & Sustainable Finance

1:45-2:30

Lunch

Additional Enrollment Required

2:30-4:00

The Future of Financing: Exploring the Sources, Structures and Innovations That Could Supercharge the Delivery of Caribbean Infrastructure

CARIF Workshops

Additional Enrollment Required

4:00-5:30

Creating and Implementing Effective National Development Strategies

CARIF Workshops

Sharad Somani

KPMG
Partner & Head of Infrastructure Sector - Asia Pacific | Head of KPMG ESG

5:30

Agenda

Registration Opens

Welcome Remarks and CARIF Stage Setter

Ministerial and Multilateral Leaders: Delivering on Island Infrastructure Ambitions

Stimulating the Flow of Private Finance to Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure Projects

Networking

Building a Better Project Pipeline: Collaborative Solutions to Deliver on Clean and Resilient Infrastructure

Country Focus: Jamaica’s Economic and Infrastructure Development Strategy In the Spotlight

Lunch

Meeting the Evolving Infrastructure Needs of the Cruise Tourism and Shipping Industries

Presentation: Building Grid Infrastructure for the Future of Caribbean Power

Mobilizing Capital for Food Security, and Improving Distribution Networks

Coffee Break

Health Infrastructure: Building Healthy Hospitals

Critical Infrastructure Investments to Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change on Caribbean Tourism

CARIF Awards 2023: Presentation

CARIF Networking Reception

Additional Enrollment Required

CARIF Roundtables

Additional Enrollment Required

Transportation Infrastructure Rethink: How to Deliver Greener, More Resilient and More Cost Effective Transport

CARIF Roundtables

Next Generation Climate Smart Construction

CARIF Roundtables

Additional Enrollment Required

Social Infrastructure: Designing and Delivering Better In-Line with Population Needs

CARIF Roundtables

Delivering Better Connected and More Efficient Networks and Gateways

CARIF Roundtables

Additional Enrollment Required

ESG

CARIF Roundtables

Innovative Approaches to Water Supply Challenges

CARIF Roundtables

Chairperson Welcome

Country Interview: Bahamas: The Next 50 Years

Making Caribbean Airports More Sustainable, Bankable, and Adaptable to Traveler Needs

Building Better Urban Infrastructure: Investments to Increase Resilience, Revitalize Cities, and Meet the Need for Affordable Housing

Networking

Digital Infrastructure Revolution: How to Prioritize Investment and Create Viable Market Conditions

Water and Waste-Water Management: Innovations in Design, Operations, and Financing of Resilient Projects

CARIF Conclusions and Takeaways: Making Commitments for CARIF 2024

Lunch

Additional Enrollment Required

The Future of Financing: Exploring the Sources, Structures and Innovations That Could Supercharge the Delivery of Caribbean Infrastructure

CARIF Workshops

Additional Enrollment Required

Creating and Implementing Effective National Development Strategies

CARIF Workshops

Close of CARIF