Strengthening the artificial intelligence readiness of the Caribbean. Policy Brief

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems, when applied well, could help in addressing key global challenges and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, these potential benefits will not materialize automatically. The use of AI also carries significant risks, such as disruption to job markets and economies, loss of cultural diversity, new AI-enabled digital weapons that increase misinformation and surveillance, and threats to human rights and democracy. While AI systems could support the achievement of many of the SDGs , they could also impede the achievement of others and increa…

Report of the special meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean

Update on institutions producing environment statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2023

The production of environment statistics in the countries of the region is influenced by institutions’ progress in incorporating such statistics into their own production processes. As recognized in the Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics,1 environment statistics span many disciplines and pull data from a wide range of sources. Many institutions in addition to national statistical offices and environmental agencies or ministries play a key role in the production of environment statistics, the result of gradual development and systematization of methodological resources, too…

Biodiversity and development: thoughts from Latin America and the Caribbean

This document examines the challenges and opportunities facing Latin America and the Caribbean in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. While the region has abundant natural resources that have been instrumental in driving economic growth, their overexploitation has jeopardized this valuable heritage and exacerbated social inequality, and that, together with habitat loss, deforestation and climate change, threatens long-term sustainability. In that context, the development model must be reoriented towards a more sustainable one that values, preserves and regenerates the region…

Provisional agenda. Sixth session of the Regional Conference on Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean

Annotated provisional agenda. Sixth session of the Regional Conference on Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean

Recent experiences in implementing integrated national financing frameworks for Latin American and Caribbean countries

This document analyses the contributions made in the region by integrated national financing frameworks (INFFs). It highlights their potential to make it easier to finance the SDGs and other national priorities, expediting resource mobilization and the alignment of public policies. Examples in the region include Colombia, where budget tagging was implemented and tools were created to engage the private sector; Costa Rica, where support was provided to develop a framework for issuing sovereign sustainable bonds; and the Dominican Republic, where efforts have been made to identify financial gaps…

Methodology for the 2021 cycle of the International Comparison Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean

The 2021 cycle of the International Comparison Programme (ICP) reflects the commitment of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) to strengthening the region’s statistical systems and ensuring the Programme’s continuity, in keeping with the guidelines of the International Comparison Programme Global Office of the World Bank. Among the entities tasked with compiling economic data, ECLAC covers the third-highest number of countries and territories, although the region accounts for just 7.3% of global GDP. This was a significant challenge, all the more so given the con…

The Care Society: Governance, Political Economy and Social Dialogue for a Transformation with Gender Equality

Building the care society is a vital transformation for substantive equality, sustainable development and peace. This paradigm prioritizes the sustainability of life and of the planet, and recognizes care as a need, a right, a public good and as crucial work to boost the economy. It also establishes a synergistic interdependence among people, the environment, and economic and social development. Governments now have a prime opportunity to drive this transformation and address a growing care crisis —exacerbated by population ageing and climate change effects— that far surpasses existing capaci…

Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean, 2025: resource mobilization to finance development. Executive summary

The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean must urgently step up resource mobilization for development to avoid a third lost decade, amid a challenging and grim global landscape. This edition of the Economic Survey for Latin America and the Caribbean summarizes the key messages presented by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) —along with the countries of the region— at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, held in Seville, Spain, in 2025. This Economic Survey analyses three key dimensions of resource mobilization: fiscal and str…

The right to care in Latin America and the Caribbean: progress on the regulatory front

The human right to care is essential for the sustainability of life and the planet and is one of the human rights recognized by international covenants and treaties as applying to everyone. As the Buenos Aires Commitment (2022) states, the right to care is based on the principles of equality, universality and social and gender co-responsibility. This right, whose foundations also include non-discrimination, progressiveness and interdependence, recognizes the value of care work and secures the rights of those requiring and providing care, as well as the right to exercise self-care. This means m…

Assessment of the effects and impacts of Hurricane Beryl on Barbados, 2024

Hurricane Beryl was the first major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season and the earliest-forming category 5 hurricane on record. It impacted Barbados as a category 3 storm while passing approximately 150 km south of the island, generating large swells and waves that affected the island’s south and west coasts. While the storm caused only moderate damage to basic infrastructure and did not trigger a humanitarian crisis, it caused substantial damage to coastal assets. The storm’s overall effects were estimated at 193 million Barbados dollars, equivalent to 0.15% of the country’s GDP. Damage ac…

Global overview of experiences in fintech development and administration: interim report on trends in fintech sector development in OECD countries and SIDS

This interim report explores the transformative impact of fintech on global financial markets. It delves into the evolution of fintech from its early stages to the present day, highlighting key innovations such as digital banking, cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence-driven financial services. The report provides an in-depth analysis of international best practices, regulatory frameworks and the role of government and private sector partnerships in fostering a thriving fintech ecosystem. In particular, the report underscores the importance of regulatory frameworks addressing foreign ex…

Global overview of experiences in fintech development and administration: interim report on the fintech regulatory environment in Aruba

This interim report assesses Aruba's potential to leverage fintech, distributed ledger technology and artificial intelligence, by examining the current state of digital regulation on the island. It provides an in-depth overview of the fintech regulatory environment in Aruba, assessing key legislative and institutional frameworks that support digital financial services. In particular, it reviews the regulatory frameworks related to telecommunications, banking, finance and competition management, highlighting the impact of these regulations on business sentiment and investment appetite. The…

Recommendations for fintech sector development and leveraging of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology in Aruba

This report presents strategic recommendations for the development of Aruba's fintech sector with a focus on leveraging artificial intelligence and distributed ledger technologies. It evaluates Aruba's readiness in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector and the financial sector, comparing key indicators against counterparts in the region, including Curaçao, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The report highlights strenaths, such as stable democratic traditions, high education levels and a robust banking sector, and weaknesses, such as…

Global overview of experiences in fintech development and administration: interim report on stakeholder perspectives regarding fintech and blockchain opportunities and risks in Aruba

This interim report provides a comprehensive overview of stakeholder perspectives on the opportunities and risks associated with the development and administration of fintech, distributed ledger technology and artificial intelligence in Aruba. The Government of Aruba aims to diversify its economy away from its reliance on tourism by developing its information and communications technology (ICT) sector. The report is based on consultations with stakeholders from the public and private sectors, civil society and academia, conducted during an on-site mission in February 2025. Key findings highlig…

Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2025. Executive summary

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) presents the 2025 version of its annual report Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean amid global uncertainty and high geopolitical tension, which are worsening the three development traps facing the region: low capacity for growth; high inequality and low social mobility and cohesion; and weak institutional capacities and ineffective governance. Foreign direct investment (FDI) guided by productive development policies could address these challenges. The first chapter provides an overview of global and r…

National economic development plans and their contributions to climate goals under the Paris Agreement

Countries often count greater growth, economic development and the fight against poverty and inequality among their priorities, but they also face global challenges related to climate action and the Paris Agreement. In this regard, economic development plans should be aligned with emissions reduction and climate resilience objectives. This report presents an analysis of the extent to which elements of Paris Agreement climate commitments (focusing on nationally determined contributions) are represented in selected national green economic development plans of Group of 20 economies. Ultimately, t…

Anticipatory governance and legislative foresight: an imperative for Latin America and the Caribbean

Latin America and the Caribbean is facing three development traps: low capacity for growth, one of high inequality, low social mobility and weak social cohesion, and one of low institutional capacity and ineffective governance. This publication highlights the urgent need to implement anticipatory governance to overcome these challenges, promoting the establishment of parliamentary committees of the future, inspired by models in the European Union, Finland, Singapore, Chile and Uruguay, which seek to anticipate risks and opportunities through tools such as strategic foresight, long-term plannin…

The Hummingbird Vol. 12 No. 7