Caribbean Telecommunications Union ICT Week 2025 – Jamaica
“Driving Change: Connecting Futures”
Kingston, Jamaica • 29 September – 3 October 2025
The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) convened ICT Week 2025 in Kingston, Jamaica, under the theme “Driving Change: Connecting Futures.” The event brought together Ministers, senior government officials, regulators, private sector leaders, civil society, youth representatives, regional and international partners to advance a coordinated digital development agenda for the Caribbean.
The Week featured major statutory and stakeholder events, including the 31st General Conference of Ministers, 53rd Executive Council Meeting, 23rd Strategic ICT Ministerial Seminar, 11th Caribbean ICT Regulators Forum, the Inaugural CTU Network of Women (CTU-NoW) Leadership Seminar, The Digital Futures Forum – Jamaica, the Universal Postal Service (UPU) Workhop, the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda’s Legal Reform and Digitalization of Global Trade workshop, and the ITU/IDB Partner2Connect Session. Mr. Kurtis Lindqvist, Chief Executive Officer of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) addressed the Opening Ceremony and engaged with the CTU hierarchy at the Joint Meeting of the General Conference and Executive Council.
Over 250 delegates from 33 countries participated in the Week’s proceedings, which provided a platform for strategic dialogue, regional cooperation and decision-making to accelerate the region’s digital transformation and strengthen resilience to global technological and economic shifts.
ADMISSION OF FRENCH GUIANA AS ASSOCIATE STATE MEMBER
The General Conference of Ministers approved the application of French Guiana to become an Associate Member of the CTU, recognising the strategic importance of closer cooperation in ICT and digital innovation between CARICOM and the French territories.
STRATEGIC DECISIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
The General Conference of Ministers adopted ten resolutions aimed at strengthening the Caribbean’s digital policy, governance, and capacity-building architecture. Key among them were:
- Adoption of the Caribbean Digital and AI Policy Framework, establishing guiding principles for ethical artificial intelligence, data sovereignty, digital asset regulation, and policy harmonisation.
- Establishment of the Caribbean AI Task Force (CAITF) with a one-year mandate to develop harmonised policy recommendations and coordinate a Caribbean AI Forum in 2026.
- Endorsement of The Bahamas’ candidacy for Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), committing unified regional support for Mr. Stephen Bereaux.
- Approval of the Regional Satellite Connectivity Strategy, advancing regional resilience and digital sovereignty through multi-vendor satellite partnerships.
- Reaffirmation of commitment to establish a Regional Regulatory Body (RRB) for Telecommunications and ICT within CARICOM to harmonise regulation, protect consumers, and foster investment.
- Support for the Caribbean ICT Youth Network (CIYN) to promote youth participation in digital policy, innovation, and leadership development across Member States.
- Encouragement to Member States to accede to the Tampere Convention on Disaster Communications and the amended International Amateur Radio Permit (IARP2) to strengthen regional emergency communications.
- Endorsement of The Bahamas as host of the World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum (WTPF-26), ensuring strong Caribbean participation in this global forum.
INSTITUTIONAL AND FINANCIAL MATTERS
The General Conference approved the Chairman’s Report of the 53rd Executive Council, including:
- The CTU Strategic Plan 2025–2028,
- The Secretariat Report (April–September 2025) and the 2026 Work Programme, and
- The Audited Financial Statements for 2024 and Budget and Cashflow Projections to 2026.
Ministers endorsed ongoing efforts to align national and regional digital transformation roadmaps, including the proposed One Digital Caribbean Scorecard and findings of the Member States Needs Assessment Survey.
REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION
The CTU signed a Memorandum of Understanding with DataAxis, aimed at supporting resilient, competitive, and inclusive digital economies through improved spectrum management, investment readiness, and evidence-based policymaking.
Ministers commended the collaboration between the CTU, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and other international partners, recognising the importance of such partnerships in advancing the region’s connectivity, innovation, and capacity-building objectives.
At the 11th Caribbean ICT Regulators Forum, regulators agreed to form an implementation team to initiate operations of the proposed “Regional Regulatory Body” to support a more harmonised approach to telecommunication and ICT regulation.
CAPACITY BUILDING AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
The 23rd Strategic ICT Ministerial Seminar addressed key issues including the deployment of 5G networks, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, resilient infrastructure, and climate-smart ICT solutions. These engagements enhanced the capacity of Ministers and senior officials to shape informed digital policies across the Caribbean.
The Inaugural CTU Network of Women (CTU-NoW) Leadership Seminar advanced gender equity in the digital space, highlighting the importance of inclusive participation in technology governance and innovation.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Ministers expressed profound appreciation to the Government and people of Jamaica for their warm hospitality and excellent arrangements made for CTU ICT Week 2025.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing a harmonised, inclusive and resilient digital future for the Caribbean Community, in keeping with the vision of “Driving Change: Connecting Futures.”
