Caribbean Outlook 3: Economic recovery and repositioning in the era of COVID-19. Policy Brief

The economies of the subregion were hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly those dependent on tourism. As a result, the Caribbean has seen a reversal of the hard-won gains achieved in growing their economies and reducing unemployment and inequality. The inflation stemming from pandemic supply chain disruption, which has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, has made the sustained uptick in economic performance beyond pre-pandemic levels unlikely, notwithstanding strong growth estimates for 2021 and 2022. The last two years have taught the region that continued ‘business as usual’ is…

From Digital Government to Smart Government

General objective The general aim of the course is to enhance participants’ capacities in providing solutions to the needs of citizens, organizations, and the challenges of future crises, for example those linked to climate change, through Digital Government. The course also focuses on incorporating new knowledge to advance evidence-based decision making and data-driven policies to create public value and aiming to build a path towards a resilient Smart Government in the Caribbean subregion. Specific objectives To provide participants with an overview of the concepts, elements, conditions, be…

From Digital Government to Smart Government

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The significant need for governments in the region to streamline, optimize, make transparent and reduce the costs of public system processes and activities has led to the accelerated and substantial use of Information Technologies (IT). This shift aims to develop increasingly complex applications supported by dedicated architectures, specifically designed to work optimally by integrating systems, utilizing the best management tools, and developing models tailored to government needs. The goal is to create compatible platforms that address issues such as interoperabili…

The MonCom Seminar: Positioning the Caribbean in the knowledge economy: The role of data

CDCC member countries and associate members will convene for the twenty-first meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee. This is preceded by the MonCom Seminar. This year's theme Positioning the Caribbean in the knowledge economy: The role of data…

Twenty-first Meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC)

CDCC member countries and associate members will convene for the twenty-first meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee.…

Director’s Desk: Artificial Intelligence for Caribbean sustainable development

2023 saw Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools becoming widely available to the general public, leading to the generation of new works of art, songs, text, and computer code. This explosion in new outputs has led to much excitement around AI’s potential, but also brought to the forefront concerns about countries and communities being left behind, and the technology’s potential to harm individuals and societies. This issue of FOCUS magazine discusses the potential impact of AI on the Caribbean, and avenues to develop tailored AI policies, governance systems, and to engage with AI issues at the int…

Where are we now: Building a digital Caribbean for all.

This infographic introduces the findings from Study 112, focusing on the digital transformation journey across Caribbean nations. It highlights the varying stages of digital inclusion within countries like Anguilla, Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, and others. The central aim is to ensure equal access to digital tools and technologies, addressing digital inequalities that mirror social inequalities, particularly in gender, migration, disability, and rural populations. Key challenges for policymakers include broadband access, digital skills training, and cybersecurity. The infographic presents…

Enhancing data for development: policy imperatives for tracking the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States in the Caribbean. Policy Brief

For small island developing States (SIDS), sustainable development is a delicate balance of pursuing economic growth, social development and environmental stewardship in the context of economic volatility, social challenges, climate change threats and global uncertainties while striving to build resilience. Recognized as a special case for development since the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, SIDS remain highly vulnerable to external shocks due to their small economies, limited connectivity and reliance on external markets. Over the years, global frameworks such …

Toward AI Policies for the Caribbean

Artificial Intelligence offers extraordinary opportunities for accelerating human progress across a range of fields from healthcare and education, to combating climate change and disasters. However, if left unregulated, AI could exacerbate inequalities, undermine human rights and threaten peace.…

Artificial Intelligence for Caribbean Sustainable Development

Secretario de Estado en los Despachos de Transparencia y Lucha Contra la Corrupción de Honduras visitó la CEPAL

Durante su paso por la sede principal de la Comisión regional en Santiago de Chile, el abogado Sergio Coello se reunió con el equipo del Instituto Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Planificación Económica y Social (ILPES).…