Selected online learning experiences in the Caribbean during COVID-19

This study examines how ICTs have supported equitable development of online distance learning for students in primary, secondary, and tertiary education systems across the Caribbean. By presenting data obtained through interviews with government officials and other key stakeholders in five countries and territories - Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago – the study highlights learning continuity challenges and successful adaptations specific to the subregion during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study identifies best practices and recommendations to integr…

Digital Transformation as a Coping Strategy To Deal With The Fallout From The Pandemic In The Caribbean

Caribbean economies have been disrupted by the pandemic and the fallout from the war in Ukraine. Therefore, in the short to medium-term, there is need for policies to deal with post-pandemic recovery, including strengthened health and safety protocols, social protection measures and managed economic reopening to stimulate growth and employment.…

Illustrating Internet Speed Divides in the Caribbean During COVID-19

Discussions on digital inclusion and the digital divide have been ongoing at the global level for over 20 years. While early discussions focused primarily on the gap in access to digital technologies between countries, new digital divides have emerged as the technology has become more advanced and its impact on society has increased.…

La cooperación efectiva en ciencia, tecnología e innovación es central para la construcción de una globalización más igualitaria

Para construir una globalización más igualitaria, la cooperación en ciencia, tecnología e innovación debe ser efectiva e ir de la mano con los acuerdos de comercio e inversiones y la apertura de los tratados de propiedad intelectual, afirmó hoy Mario Cimoli, Secretario Ejecutivo Interino de la Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), durante el Foro Político de Alto Nivel sobre el Desarrollo Sostenible que se realiza en la sede de las Naciones Unidas en Nueva York. “La ciencia, la tecnología y la innovación deben ser una parte fundamental de los acuerdos comerciales y de inv…

Regional Digital Trade Integration Index (Version 1): A Guide

The regional digital trade integration index (RDTII) results from cooperation among several United Nations Regional Commissions. This guide is based on the methodology and indicators of RDTII Version 1.0. It provides essential explanations of the structure and rationale of RDTII 1.0 and guidance on data collection and sources. It is expected to give a guideline to those involved in collecting regulatory data to analyze the digital trade regulatory environment based on the RDTII 1.0 framework. It is useful also for those who will use the index and related indicators for policy analysis and draf…

IT enabled services in the post-pandemic economy new opportunities for relations between India and Latin America

During the last few decades, India’s trade with the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries has grown substantially, especially in the area of Information Technology (IT) services. The definition of IT services now includes a plethora of IT-enabled services (ITeS) directed to specific sectors, including Agri-tech, Fin-tech, Health-tech, manufacturing and mining-based services, as well as e-commerce. This sector has attracted significant Indian investment in the region. Over the last decade, the share of the IT sector in total Indian Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the region has nearly…

Science, technology and innovation for sustainable development: Lessons from the Caribbean’s energy transition

Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is important in advancing sustainable development across the globe. One approach available to countries to promote their sustainable development agendas is the advancement of STI to support the adoption of renewable energy technologies. The continued reliance on fossil fuels in the Caribbean is one of the factors hindering the rate at which countries within the subregion are developing. Taking this into account, this study assesses whether the advancement of STI is driving the energy transition in the Caribbean subregion and draws lessons on how STI can…

Digital agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean (eLAC2024)

Investing in an Inclusive Digital Future for the Caribbean

The Caribbean is undergoing a digital transformation: More people than ever have access to digital technologies and the internet, and both businesses and government entities are increasingly providing online services. While significant disparities remain both within and among Caribbean countries in terms of access to digital technologies and infrastructure, the influence of digital technologies on the subregion has increased significantly in recent years, particularly in response to the public health measures implemented to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.…

The Latin American regulatory environment for digital trade

The volume of trade in digitally enabled services in Latin America and the Caribbean is determined, in part, by the complexity and heterogeneity of the regulatory environment in home and destination markets, according to firm-level surveys conducted in the region. This report analyses the regulation of digitally enabled and computer services in 13 Latin American countries using the Digital Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (DSTRI) and the Services Trade Restrictiveness Index for computer services (CSSTRI) developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The re…