Caribbean Advances Digital Agenda at 2025 School of Digital Transformation
The second edition of the School of Digital Transformation and Innovation in the Caribbean (SoDTIC) concluded successfully on June 20, marking a pivotal moment in the region's journey toward inclusive digital development. Held at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre, the five-day event brought together policymakers, regulators, academics, and technical experts from across Latin America and the Caribbean to tackle key issues shaping the region's digital future.
Co-organized by a coalition of regional and global institutions, including UN ECLAC, CAF, CTU, CETIC.br/NIC.br, UWI, and several members of the Internet Technical Community, the forum focused on AI governance, meaningful connectivity, infrastructure resilience, and digital policy frameworks.
At the opening ceremony, leaders emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, strategic policymaking, and people-centered innovation. UN ECLAC’s Demetris Herakleous framed the School as a platform for co-creation, while CAF’s Bernardo Requena called for a “bold rethinking” of public value delivery in the digital era.
UWI’s Dr. Kim Mallalieu encouraged the pursuit of uniquely Caribbean solutions and described digital transformation as a tool for regional resilience. Government representatives highlighted the need to strengthen capacity building, particularly in artificial intelligence and inter-island cooperation.
Participants engaged in a rigorous schedule of workshops, lectures, and panel discussions, covering topics such as cybersecurity, AI ethics, digital public infrastructure, and data protection laws. The event fostered a rich peer-learning environment, promoting the exchange of insights and best practices across ministries, regulatory bodies, and civil society organizations.
At the closing ceremony, Dr. Mallalieu reaffirmed UWI’s commitment to regional development and thanked the organizing partners and attendees. The 2025 SoDTIC concluded with a shared vision: a resilient, equitable, and cooperative digital future for the Caribbean, built on evidence-based policy and regional ownership.
