The Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, wants the Region to collaborate boldly, innovate fearlessly, and act accountably to take advantage of the digital revolution, and accelerate regional integration.
Prime Minister Mitchell, Chair of CARICOM, and lead Head of Government with responsibility for Science and Technology in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet, made the call while delivering the keynote address at the Connected Caribbean Summit in Miami, Florida, 10 December.
The theme of his address was ‘Action Time – Accelerating Caribbean Integration and Development’ in which he reflected on the “transformative potential of digital technology in the Caribbean”, highlighted the challenges the Region faces and offered recommendations to create a resilient, digitally transformed Caribbean Community.
“The digital revolution presents a golden opportunity. Technology doesn’t just connect us—it empowers us. It allows us to innovate, collaborate, and overcome the constraints of geography and size. Imagine a Caribbean where every citizen has access to affordable, high-speed internet, where essential services are mobile and efficient, and where regional hubs drive innovation in agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. These aren’t distant dreams—they are within our grasp if we act boldly and decisively,” Prime Minister Mitchell said.
Please read the Prime Minister’s speech below:
Good afternoon, distinguished guests, esteemed colleagues, and friends.
It is both an honour and a privilege to stand before you today at The Connected Caribbean Summit 2024. This gathering of minds and hearts represents a powerful statement of belief in the promise of our region. I extend my warmest greetings to all of you—business and public sector leaders, tech partners, investors, innovators, policymakers, and dreamers—who have gathered here with a shared vision for a better future. Each of you carries a piece of the Caribbean’s future, and I am deeply honoured to share this moment with you.
This summit represents a significant platform for collaboration, and it is through our collective efforts that we can truly embody the theme of this conference: “Collaborating for Caribbean Solutions.” Collaboration is more than working together—it’s about combining strengths, bridging differences, and moving forward as one. And solutions—real, actionable solutions—are what our people need.
As we embark on this journey together, I want to take a moment to reflect on the transformative potential of digital technology in the Caribbean. I recall the experience during Hurricane Beryl when communication was severely disrupted. It was the innovative deployment of Starlink technology that allowed us to maintain connectivity and coordinate our response efforts. This experience serves as a powerful reminder of how digital solutions can bridge gaps, empower resilience, and provide hope in times of crisis.
The Reality We Face
My friends, the challenges before us are formidable, but so too is our resolve. For decades, we have aspired to regional integration. Yet, in many ways, we remain fragmented—economically, socially, and politically.
The barriers are all too familiar:
- Climate change continues to ravage our shores while we scramble for resources to rebuild.
- Cybersecurity threats emerge as our economies digitize, yet we remain fragmented in our defences.
- Social inequities persist, leaving too many of our people on the margins of opportunity.
These challenges are not abstract—they are real, and they deeply impact the lives of our people. When a hurricane destroys a family’s home in Grenada, when a young girl in St. Kitts and Nevis is denied meaningful access to the Internet she needs for her education, or when a business in Trinidad and Tobago struggles because of ineffective and outdated trade policies, these are not just policy issues. These are the lived realities of our people.
And yet, within these challenges lies immense opportunity. The Caribbean has always been resilient, resourceful, and visionary. But resilience alone is not enough anymore. We must move from merely surviving to thriving.
Harnessing Digital Transformation and Collective Power
The digital revolution presents a golden opportunity. Technology doesn’t just connect us—it empowers us. It allows us to innovate, collaborate, and overcome the constraints of geography and size. Imagine a Caribbean where every citizen has access to affordable, high-speed internet, where essential services are mobile and efficient, and where regional hubs drive innovation in agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. These aren’t distant dreams—they are within our grasp if we act boldly and decisively.
During Hurricane Beryl, we witnessed the power of digital solutions when Starlink technology enabled critical communication in the aftermath of the storm. Such moments underscore the transformative potential of technology when leveraged effectively.
What Will It Take to Harness Digital Technology?
To harness digital technology effectively and accelerate regional integration, we must address four critical realities:
- Collaboration with the Private Sector: Governments cannot keep pace with the rapid advancements in technology alone. Successful initiatives, like Planet’s satellite imagery which allowed us to expedite the damage assessments needed after Hurricane Beryl to unlock multilateral relief funding and Jamaica’s J-SRAT (Systemic Risk Assessment Tool) system for climate resilient infrastructure planning, highlight the importance of public-private partnerships.
- Supportive Regulatory Environments: The slow pace of regulatory change and duplication of regulatory requirements across our many islands often impedes progress. We must streamline processes to create a fertile ground for innovation and digital transformation.
- Infrastructure Investments: Robust digital infrastructure is essential. Strategic investments and partnerships are crucial to supporting the digital economy we envision.
Ladies and gentlemen, critical to everything I have outlined so far is an issue that is both vital for our region’s progress and deeply personal to me—Digital Skills Development. The importance of equipping our people with the tools to thrive in a digital world cannot be overstated. The global job market is transforming, and the demand for digital competencies is growing rapidly across every sector. Yet, our education systems have struggled to keep pace with these shifts, leaving too many of our young people unprepared for the opportunities of tomorrow.
We cannot afford to allow this gap to persist. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our youth are equipped with the skills they need to succeed in the digital economy. This is why, as Chair of CARICOM, I have made digital skills development a central pillar of our regional digital transformation agenda.
To this end, we will be establishing a CARICOM Digital Skills Fund, which will support a wide range of training initiatives across the region. In Grenada we have already launched a CyberNations pilot program, along with other collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing digital skills and innovation. In Grenada, we are spearheading the development of a Centre of Excellence for Digital Skills and Artificial Intelligence, which will serve as a hub for training, research, and innovation—a place where the Caribbean can lead in shaping the future of technology.
This journey is not limited to our youth. It is imperative that our leaders also embrace digital transformation. To that end, I have proposed an AI Experts Roundtable next year, to engage directly with CARICOM Heads of Government. This initiative will ensure that our leadership is prepared to navigate the complexities of artificial intelligence and leverage its potential for the benefit of our societies.
Finally, let us celebrate the remarkable achievements of young Caribbean innovators and entrepreneurs who are already making waves in the digital space. Their vision, creativity, and success are a testament to the boundless potential of our region. They inspire us all to push forward, united in our mission to build a digitally empowered Caribbean.
This version strikes a balance between gravitas and inspiration, while emphasising your leadership and vision.
The Wider Digital Transformation Agenda
My CARICOM Digital Transformation agenda focuses on four additional areas critical to our digital transformation:
- Cybersecurity: As cybercrime becomes a growing threat, collaboration among governments, businesses, and international partners is vital. The establishment of a regional cybersecurity alert system, led by IMPACS, will be an important a step forward. This initiative emphasizes cross-border coordination among governments, businesses, and international partners.
- Artificial Intelligence: Responsible AI use is key to the future. Plans to establish an AI Centre of Excellence in Grenada aim to support research and ethical AI applications across the region.
- CARICOM E-Payment Platform: We have been pursuing interoperable payments systems in the region for some time, with frankly inadequate progress given its value to trade and economic facilitation. The e-payment initiative under design represents more than a financial tool, it is a symbol of our shared vision for a digitally empowered Caribbean. By enabling seamless cross-border transactions, it will foster trade, enhance efficiency, and reduce dependence on external financial networks. Harmonising regulatory frameworks is essential to secure operations and prepare for a digital economic future.
- Digital Health: We will be developing a CARICOM Digital Health Strategy to look at how to utilise technology to reshape how we deliver and access healthcare across CARICOM. Telemedicine, for example, holds significant promise to expand specialist services across countries and to expand the available market for our specialists in the region. This strategy is not just about healthcare, it is about building a healthier, stronger, and more unified CARICOM for generations to come. Together, we will lead the way in creating a digital health ecosystem that sets a global standard for innovation and equity.
A Call to Action
So, how do we turn these conversations into commitments and commitments into action? By focusing on a few imperatives:
- Collaborate Boldly: Build partnerships that go beyond the ordinary. Work across borders and sectors to transform lives. Collaborate on CARICOM’s Digital Skills training programs and invest in initiatives that empower our youth.
- Innovate Fearlessly: Embrace digital technology as a tool for solutions, not a source of fear.
- Act Accountably: Hold ourselves to the highest standards and ensure that promises made today become the realities of tomorrow.
I urge all of you to support initiatives such as the Digital Skills Fund and future AI Centre of Excellence. These hubs will be instrumental in fostering talent, innovation, and collaboration across the Caribbean and will catalyse the transformation we envision.
Conclusion
Distinguished delegates, the time for action is now. Together, we can create a digitally transformed Caribbean that is resilient, vibrant, and thriving. Let us harness the collective power of our shared vision to build a brighter, more connected future.
Thank you. Let’s get to work.
About the Connected Caribbean Summit
The Connected Caribbean Summit is a premier regional conference designed to foster dialogue and promote collaboration on digital transformation and development issues across the Caribbean. The summit brings together diverse stakeholders to address the region’s unique challenges and capitalize on opportunities for sustainable growth.
