This event is organized  by Caribbean Geospatial Development Initiative (CARIGEO) Steering Committee of UN-GGIM: Americas, with technical support from ECLAC.

The Caribbean sub-region continues to make strides in strengthening geospatial governance and implementing national and regional efforts, including through the UN-GGIM: Americas and Caribbean Geospatial Development Initiative (CARIGEO). However, sustainable financing remains one of the major bottlenecks to scaling geospatial innovation, modernizing data infrastructure, and ensuring long-term programme continuity. This session will address how to move beyond project-based funding toward institutionalized, blended, and impact-driven financing models that support National Geospatial Information Management (NGIM), Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) implementation, and digital transformation across the Caribbean.

Objective

To explore practical mechanisms and partnerships to mobilize, align, and sustain financing for geospatial initiatives in the Caribbean that support data-driven development, resilience, and climate action.

Specific Objectives
  1. Highlight financing gaps and opportunities in geospatial and digital infrastructure across Caribbean Member States.
  2. Showcase successful financing mechanisms - including multilateral funding, blue/green bonds, private-sector investment, and public-private partnerships.
  3. Explore mechanisms to facilitate dialogue between governments, donors, and private stakeholders to co-create pathways for sustainable geospatial financing.
  4. Identify next steps toward developing a regional Geospatial Financing Roadmap.

Practical information

Financing the Future: Mobilizing Resources for Geospatial Development and Resilience in the Caribbean

Hybrid format

Place:  ECLAC Headquarters 
(Av. Dag Hammarskjöld 3477, Vitacura, Santiago, Chile)
Medina Room
Connection platform: Webex
Registration and connection to the seminar
Date: 6 November 2025
Time: 08:30 a.m - 9:50 a.m.  (Chile Time, UTC -3)
 
Languages: The meeting will be conducted in English.
Note: For connection testing, the session will be available 60 minutes before the scheduled start time.

 

Schedule

8:30 - 8:35
Welcome & Opening Remarks

Host: Duane Miller Bahamas National Geographic Information Systems

  • Sofía Alejandra Nilo Crisóstomo, President, UN-GGIM Américas
  • Rolando Ocampo Alcántar, Director, ECLAC Statistics Division
  • Marcathian Alexander Information Technology Officer III, Department of Physical Development and Urban Renewal, St. Lucia Member, CARIGEO Steering Committee, UN-GGIM: Americas
8:35 - 8:45

Keynote: 

The Business Case for Geospatial Investment

Simone Lloyd, GISP Caribbean Vocal & Chair, CARIGEO Steering Committee, UN-GGIM: Americas Senior GIS Manager & Trainer, Ministry of Economic Growth & Infrastructure Development, Jamaica
8:45 - 9:10

Panel Discussion:

Financing Models that Work

Moderator: Valrie Grant, GISP, President, UN-GGIM: Americas Private Sector Network, Member, CARIGEO Steering Committee, UN-GGIM: Americas

Panelists:

  • Rolando Ocampo Alcántar, Director, ECLAC Statistics Division
  • Nouri Sabo, Deputy Director - Science, Innovation and Technology Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation Natural Resources Canada / Government of Canada
  • Nick Brown, Head of Office, United Nations Global Geodetic Centre of Excellence, Bonn, Germany
9:10 - 9:35

Open Dialogue:

Discussion with participants on barriers and opportunities to sustainable financing
  • Michelle St. Clair Land Surveyor, Lands and Surveys Department, Barbados, Member, CARIGEO Steering Committee, UN-GGIM: Americas
  • David Cole Manager, Information Systems at The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission
9:35 - 9:45
Closing Reflections & Next Steps

Leandre Murrell Senior Surveyor, Lands and Surveys Department, Barbados
9:45 - 9:50
Vote of Thanks

Soraya Looby Geospatial Information Officer, Survey & Mapping Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Antigua & Barbuda; Member, CARIGEO Steering Committee, UN-GGIM: Americas

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