FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cayenne, French Guiana — 25th September 2026: At the 32nd General Conference of Ministers, St. Kitts and Nevis has been elected to hold the Presidency of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), virtually represented by the Hon. Konris Maynard, Minister of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Domestic Transport, Information, Communication and Technology and Posts.
Held on Wednesday 23rd September 2026 in French Guiana as part of CTU ICT Week 2026, the General Conference of Ministers is the CTU’s highest decision-making body, bringing together Ministers responsible for telecommunications, information and communications technology and digital development from across the Union’s Member States to establish strategic direction and advance shared regional priorities.
St. Kitts and Nevis succeeds Trinidad and Tobago which served as President of the CTU from 2024 to 2026. Trinidad and Tobago held the presidency of the organisation for two consecutive terms from 2022 to 2026, first under Senator the Hon. Hassel Bacchus and subsequently under Senator the Hon. Dominic Smith.
St. Kitts and Nevis, through Minister Maynard previously served as Vice-President of the CTU from 2024 to 2026, having been elected to that office during the 30th General Conference of Ministers held in St. Kitts and Nevis in October 2024.
Similarly, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was elected to hold the Vice-Presidency of the General Conference of Ministers, represented by the Hon. Phillip Jackson, Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Information.
In accepting the presidency, Minister Maynard expressed appreciation to CTU Member States for the confidence placed in him and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and advancing the Caribbean’s digital transformation agenda.
“I am deeply humbled by the confidence that my colleagues from across the Caribbean have placed in me to serve as President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union. I thank them sincerely for their support and for entrusting me with the responsibility of helping to lead this important regional institution.”
Minister Maynard underscored the increasingly central role of digital technologies in regional development, highlighting the need for collaboration among Caribbean governments, the CTU Secretariat and regional and international partners.
He also acknowledged Trinidad and Tobago’s leadership of the CTU during the preceding four years and committed to building upon the work undertaken during its tenure.
“I wish to place on record my sincere appreciation to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and Minister Dominic Smith for his leadership and contribution to the CTU over the last four years. Much important work has been advanced during his tenure. My commitment is not simply to begin something new, but to build upon the foundation already laid, strengthen what is working and work collectively to take the CTU to even greater heights.”
In accepting the election as Vice-President, Minister Jackson described the opportunity to serve in the leadership of the CTU during his first General Conference of Ministers as both an honour and a significant responsibility.
“As a newly elected Minister participating in my first General Conference of Ministers, I am deeply honoured by the confidence placed in me to serve as Vice-President. I look forward to working alongside President Maynard, my fellow Ministers and the CTU Secretariat to advance our shared priorities and ensure that digital transformation delivers meaningful and inclusive benefits for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider Caribbean.”
The election formed part of a wide-ranging agenda at the 32nd General Conference of Ministers, during which Ministers considered regional priorities spanning digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, telecommunications policy, cybersecurity, digital resilience, international ICT coordination and the future strategic direction of the CTU.
Among the matters considered were the Regional Digital Infrastructure Plan for the Caribbean, infrastructure resiliency, the Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Task Force Report, regional coordination ahead of ITU PP-26, preparations relating to the World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum 2026, and arrangements for major CTU activities in 2027 and 2028.
The Conference also featured a Ministerial Caucus on “Aligning National and Regional Roadmaps for Future-Driven Digital Priorities”, as well as a high-level dialogue on “Caribbean and European Union – Digital Sovereignty in the Light of Regional Integration.” The dialogue brought together representatives from the Caribbean, French Government, European Union and private sector to examine opportunities for deeper cooperation between the Caribbean and Europe.
CTU ICT Week 2027 will be hosted in Turks and Caicos.
— END —