21st Caribbean Internet Governance Forum
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The Caribbean Internet Governance Forum (CIGF) is a regional, non-hierarchical, multi-stakeholder forum initiated by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat in 2005 to coordinate a regional approach to Internet Governance (IG), initially focussed on the proceedings of the United Nations’ World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). The CIGF has since met annually and has delivered significant and pioneering benefits to the region including formulation of a Caribbean Internet Governance Policy Framework; the proliferation of Internet exchange points (IXPs); capacity building in IG Principles and best practices; and growth in Caribbean influence in international IG fora. The CIGF is the longest running Internet Governance Forum in the world.
This year the 21st CIGF will be held in Varadero, Cuba. It will be staged in-person but with remote participation via online videoconferencing under the auspices of the CTU and the Government of Cuba. The Forum will address various facets of Internet Governance of current import to the Caribbean including the adoption of the Global Digital Compact and WSIS+20 Review; enhancing the reach, resiliency and sustainability of critical digital infrastructure in the Caribbean; fostering adoption and growth of our digital economies in a trusted and secure manner; harnessing the benefits of emergent technologies (e.g. AI) while minimising attendant risks; and digital rights, privacy and protection for children. The 4th Caribbean Youth Internet Governance Forum (4th CYIGF) will be colocated with the 21st CIGF.
Objectives
- Consider Internet governance policies and initiatives for priority attention and regional consensus to facilitate accelerated digital transformation in the Caribbean
- Elicit the voices and develop the capacity of Caribbean youth in Internet governance by facilitating the 4th Caribbean Youth Internet Governance Forum
- Build national and regional capacity and systems in IG to enable, support, strengthen and sustain socio-economic development and effective Caribbean participation and representation at regional and global Internet Governance fora
Target Audience
- Academia
- Civil society
- Government policy makers and IT Managers
- Internet users
- Internet service providers and Telecommunications operators
- International organisations
- ICT Regulators
20th Caribbean Internet Governance Forum
DAY 1: Wednesday 20th August 2025
Cuba
Provisional Agenda (Download) |
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| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
| DAY 1: WEDNESDAY 20 AUGUST 2025 | ||
| TIME | SESSION | SPEAKER |
| 09:00 | Opening Remarks | Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson
Host of Ceremonies |
| 09:15 | Capacity Building Session 1
Introduction to Internet Governance. Current Issues, Status and Outlook |
Mr. Juan Fernández González
Member of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG), Advisor at the Ministry of Communications of Cuba (MINCOM) Mr. Chengetai Masango Head of Office, UN IGF Secretariat. |
| 10:15 | COFFEE BREAK | |
| 10:30 | Capacity Building Session 2:
Topic Areas:
|
Moderator: Ms. Shanea Lewis, CTU
Mr. Tracy F. Hackshaw Chef d’enterprise, .POST, Universal Postal Union (UPU)
Messrs. Abdullah Ali and Kevin Baboolal (Remote) Researchers
Prof. Maurice McNaughton (Remote) |
| 12:00 | LUNCH BREAK | |
4th Caribbean Youth Internet Governance Forum
Wednesday 20th August 2025
Cuba
Provisional Agenda
| DAY 1: WEDNESDAY 20 AUGUST 2025 | ||
| Time (AST) | Session | Speakers |
| 13:30 | Introductory Remarks | Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson
Host of Ceremonies |
| 13:35 | Welcome Remarks | Mr. Tariq Mohammed
Chair, Caribbean ICT Youth Network & Caribbean Youth Internet Governance Forum Coordinator
Mr. Jose Carlos Cruz Sandoval Vice President of the Informatics and Communications Enterprise Group of Cuba (GEIC) |
| 13:45 | Panel 1: Development and use of Artificial Intelligence in the Caribbean for Digital Transformation and innovation | Moderator:
Ms. Nayma Cepero Pérez, Professor at the Technical University of Havana “José Antonio Echeverría” (CUJAE)
Speakers: Mr. Christopher Derrel Youth Can do it Too (YCDI), Jamaica
Mr. Shergaun Roserie Co-CEO, RifBid, St. Lucia
Mr. Orlando Grabiel Toledano López, Professor of Data Structures and Algorithms at the University of Informatics Sciences (UCI)
Mr. Roberto Marti Cedeño Vice Dean of Research and Digital Transformation, University of Havana, Cuba |
| 14:25 | · Panel 2: Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Resilience: Protecting the Caribbean’s Digital Future | Moderator:
Mr. Tariq Mohammed Chair, Caribbean ICT Youth Network
Speakers: Ms. Federica Tortorella, Youth Advisory Board Member for the “Resilience Project” at SubOptic Foundation, Dominican Republic
Mr. Daniel Perea Núñez, Director General of the Computer Network Security Office (OSRI) |
| 15:00 | BREAK | |
| 15:15 | Panel 3: Women Empowerment in ICTs | Moderator:
Ms. Gabrielle Johnson Vice Chair, Caribbean ICT Youth Network
Speakers: Ms. Jael Goddard (Remote) ICT External Relations Associate, Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, Trinidad and Tobago
Ms. Jennifer Boodoo (Remote) Outreach Officer, Office of the Prime Minister, Guyana
Ms. Maidelys Pupo Torres General Director of the Youth Computer and Electronics Club (JCCE), Cuba
Ms. Suany Leyva Hernández Cuban Network of Empowered Women, Cuban Computer Scientist Union (UIC), Cuba
Ms. Analaisy González Prieto Director of Institutional Communication, Cuban Telecommunications Company (ETECSA), Cuba |
| 16:05 | Panel 4: Youth Perspectives on Global Fora: GDC, WSIS, IGF, etc. | Moderator:
Ms. Jael Goddard (Remote) ICT External Relations Associate, Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, Trinidad and Tobago
Speakers: Mr. Shergaun Roserie Co-CEO, Rifbid, St. Lucia
Ms. Anja Genjo NRI Coordinator, UNIGF Secretariat, Geneva
Ms. Elaine Grenet Albernas Specialist on Foreign Relations (MINCOM), Cuba
Mr. Leysdel Emil Hernández Specialist in International Organizations and Bilateral Collaboration, Cuban Telecommunications Company, ETECSA, Cuba |
| 16:45 | Vote of Thanks & Closing | Ms. Gabrielle Johnson
Vice Chair, Caribbean ICT Youth Network
Ms. Ailyn Febles Estrada Vice Minister of Communications of Cuba, Cuba
Mr. Rodney Taylor Secretary-General, CTU |
| 17:05 | End of Day 1 | |
21st Caribbean Internet Governance Forum
Day 2 – Thursday 21st August 2025
Cuba
Provisional Agenda
| DAY 2: THURSDAY 21 AUGUST 2025 | |||
| TIME | SESSION | SPEAKER | |
| 09:00 | National Anthem and Opening Remarks | Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson
Host of Ceremonies |
|
| OPENING CEREMONY | |||
| 09:05 | Remarks | Mr. Rodney Taylor
Secretary-General Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) |
|
| 09:15 | Greetings from Partner Organizations | Ms. Paula Oteguy
Head Multistakeholder Engagement, LACNIC. Mr. Bevil Wooding (Remote) Director of Caribbean Affairs, ARIN & CAJS. Mr. Albert Daniels (Remote) Senior Manager, Stakeholder Engagement – Caribbean, ICANN. Mr. Sebastian Bellagamba (Remote) VP, External Engagement, ISOC. Mr. Chengetai Masango Head of Office, UN IGF Secretariat. |
|
| 09:35 | Feature Address
|
Mr. Ernesto Rodríguez Hernández,
First Deputy Minister of Communications of Cuba |
|
| 09:45 | Vote of Thanks | Ms. Michelle Garcia
Communications Specialist, CTU |
|
| 09:50 | OFFICIAL GROUP PHOTO | ||
| 10:00 | COFFEE BREAK | ||
| 10:20 | Reflections on CIGF @ 21 | Ms. Shanea Lewis
Policy Advisor, CTU |
|
| 10:45 | National, Regional and Global IG Contexts | Reports from National, Regional & Global IGFs
Ms. Maria Esther Alfonso – Cuba IGF Ms. Jacqueline Morris – Trinidad and Tobago MAG Mr. Max-Larson Henry – Haiti IGF Mr. Marcellus Constance – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines IGF Mr. Aggrey Marsh – Guyana IGF Ms. Lilian Chamorro Rojas – Coordinator, LACIGF Ms. Anja Gengo – UN IGF Secretariat |
|
| 12:15 | General Discussion and Q&A | ||
| 12:30 | LUNCH BREAK | ||
| 14:00 | Introductory Remarks | Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson
Host of Ceremonies |
|
| 14:05 | ARIN/LACNIC/CTU Policy Forum
Global Digital Governance at a Crossroads: WSIS+20, the Global Digital Compact, and Evolving Internet Resource Trends (40 mins) Assessing Multilateral and Multistakeholder Developments in the Internet Governance Ecosystem and Their Implications for the Caribbean and Beyond
Exploring the Role of ICP-2 in Regional Internet Registry Accreditation, Stability, and Accountability in a Changing Global Context (30 mins) – ICANN ICP2 update – Is Caribbean RIR governance stable and robust?
Preparing Stakeholders for Participation, Innovation, and Representation in ICANN’s Expanded gTLD Programme (15 mins) The Next Round of gTLDs: Strategic Opportunities and Policy Considerations for the Caribbean in the Evolving Domain Name Ecosystem |
Moderator: Ms. Shanea Lewis, CTU
Speakers: Mr. Israel Rosas (Remote), ISOC
Mr. Michael Abejuela (Remote), ARIN Mr. Bevil Wooding (Remote), ARIN Messrs. Jorge Villa / Esteban Lescano (Remote), LACNIC Ms. Sybel Alonso Baldor VP Net Op, Cuban Telecom Company, (ETECSA)
Mr. Albert Daniels (Remote), ICANN |
|
| 15:30 | Workshop/Facilitated Discussion:
Mainstreaming Artificial Intelligence in Caribbean Internet Governance: Policy Integration for Innovation, Inclusion, and Accountability Incorporating AI provisions into the Caribbean Internet Governance Policy framework |
Moderators: Messrs. Tariq Mohammed, Shergaun Rosarie, Gabrielle Johnson | |
| 17:00 | End of Day 2 | ||
| Evening | Networking Event | ||
21st Caribbean Internet Governance Forum
Day 3 – Friday 22nd August 2024
Cuba
Provisional Agenda
| DAY 3: FRIDAY 22 AUGUST 2025 | ||
| TIME | SESSION | SPEAKERS |
| 09:00 | Opening Remarks | Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson
Host of Ceremonies |
| 09:05 | Panel Discussion:
Navigating Digital Harms in a Fragmented World: Age Verification, Deepfakes, and the Uneven Landscape of Online Safety Exploring Global and Regional Approaches to Child Protection, Exploitation Risks, and Public Awareness in the Digital Age
|
Facilitator: Mr. Shiva Bissessar, Managing Director Pinaka Consulting
Mr. Cleveland Thomas, ITU Ms. Lourdes Gutierrez (Remote), UNODC Shannique Bowden (Remote), Advocate | Attorney, Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network Mr. Omar Gutierrez Granela Provincial Director of Havana Youth Computer and Electronics Club (JCCE), Cuba |
| 10:00 | COFFEE BREAK | |
| Especial session: “Digital Transformation in Cuba” | ||
| 10:15 | Introduction to the session | Mr. Ernesto Rodríguez Hernández,
First Deputy Minister of Communications of Cuba |
| 10:20 | Panel 1:
Data Governance: A perspective from Cuba
|
Moderator:
Ms. Yarina Amoroso Fernández Unión de Juristas de Cuba
Speakers: Ms. Omara Aldama López Director of Infocommunications, Revolution Palace Ms. María Esther Alfonso Suárez Vice-president, Cuban Computer Scientist Union (UIC) Ms. Tatiana Delgado Fernández Professor, Technological University of Havana Ms. Laymi Puente Falcón Director of Business Intelligence, Cuban Telecommunications Company, (ETECSA) |
| 11:10 | Panel 2:
Digital Transformation and local development |
Moderator:
Mr. Jorge Núñez Jover Professor, Havana University, Advisor to the National Innovation Council (CNI) and to the Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment.
Speakers: Ms. Aurora Fernández González Advisor to the CNI and the Minister of Higher Education, Coordinator of the University Network for Knowledge Management and Innovation for Local Development Mr. Dariel de León García Senior Researcher at the Local Development Center, Technical Director of the Sustainable Municipalities Program Mr. Allan Pierra Conde Advisor in the Science, Technology and Innovation Directorate in the Ministry of Higher Education (MES) Mr. Denys Buedo Hidalgo Director of informatization of MES in charge of Digital Transformation |
| 12:00 | LUNCH BREAK | |
| 13:30 | Panel 3:
Enterprises in Digital Transformation |
Moderator:
Mr. Ernesto Vallín Martínez General Director of Informatics, MINCOM Speakers: Mr. Dennis Meriño Menadier Chairman, Z17 Mr. Allan Pierra Fuente University of Informatics Sciences (UCI) Mr. Abduly Díaz García Director General, SOFTEL Mr. Yudivian Almeida Cruz Professor and Researcher at the University of Havana (UH) |
| 14:20
|
Panel 4:
The Role of Government in Digital Transformation |
Moderator:
Ms. Ailyn Febles Estrada Deputy Minister of Communications of Cuba Speakers: Ms. Anaisa Hernández González Vice-president, Cuban Computer Scientist Union (UIC) Dr. Nayma Cepero Pérez Professor at the Technical University of Havana Mr. Wilfredo González Vidal Coordinator of the Sovereignty Project, Digital Government Center |
| 15:10 | Session closure: | Mr. Ernesto Rodríguez Hernández,
First Deputy Minister of Communications of Cuba |
| 15:15 | COFFEE BREAK | |
| 15:30 | Policy Synthesis and Strategic Priorities: Charting a Coherent Path for Caribbean Internet Governance
Integrating Insights Across Sessions to Inform Regional Action, Collaboration, and Representation in Global Forums |
Mr. Rodney Taylor, CTU
Ms. Shanea Lewis, CTU Mr. Tariq Mohammed, CIYN |
| 16:00 | Open Microphone | Ms. Michelle Garcia
CTU |
| 16:30 | Conclusions and Next Steps | Mr. Rodney Taylor
CTU |
| 16:50 | Closing remarks of the CIGF | Ms. Mayra Arevich Marín
Minister of Communications of Cuba |
| 17:00 | END OF 21ST CIGF | |
 Head of Multistakeholder Engagement Paula Oteguy Paula Oteguy holds a degree in International Relations and has completed specialization programs and diplomas in Internet Governance. Paula has been part of the LACNIC staff since 2012 and is currently serving as Head of Multistakeholder Engagement as part of LACNIC’s Strategic Relations department. Her responsibilities include coordinating and strengthening relationships with the various stakeholders in the regional and international Internet community. She also coordinates the Líderes Program, a scholarship and mentoring initiative that promotes Internet Governance research in Latin America and the Caribbean; Policy Shapers, a program that provides training scholarships to a group of researchers who have participated in the Líderes program; and the program that provides support for NRIs and Internet Governance Schools in Latin America and the Caribbean. As part of her work in Internet Governance, she has been part of the Latin American and Caribbean Internet Governance Forum (LACIGF) Program Committee, was a member of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) until 2024 and is currently part of the IGF Uruguay Program Committee. |
 President ISOC Haïti Max Larson Henry Max Larson Henry is a network engineer, entrepreneur, and co-founder and current President of ISOC Haiti. In 2005, he founded Transversal specialized in TCP/IP networking, ICT training, and mobile app development, including the SaaS platform eVoucher MerchantPro. Transversal’s solutions have been deployed in Haiti, Nepal, Timor-Leste, and the United States. Max is also Vice-President of the Haitian ICT Association (AHTIC), and a key contributor to national initiatives such as the Cisco Networking Academy, the .ht ccTLD, and the Haitian Internet Exchange Point. He co-chaired the LACNIC Public Policy Forum (20010 – 2014) and served as Vice-President of LAC-IX, the Latin American Internet Exchange Association. He co-launched the AYITIC initiative with LACNIC, ICANN, and ISOC. He holds an Engineering degree in Electronics from the State University of Haiti, a Master’s in Databases and Systems Integration from CERAM Business School (now SKEMA), France, and several Microsoft and Cisco certifications, including instructor-level training at McGill University and Cisco Systems, USA. Recognitions include: 2016 Digicel National Entrepreneur of the Year (Services) 2024 Cisco – 20 years of active service in the Cisco Networking Academy 2020–2023 – Cisco Networking Academy Advisory Board Member 2012 USAID – Haiti Mobile Money Initiative Pioneer 2011 Harvard Business School – Host of the Immersion Experience Program 2015 – LACNIC: For his contribution as Co-chair of the Public Policy Forum (2010-2014) 2015 – AHTIC: For Transversal’s support to the Haitian Internet Exchange Point since 2005 2024 – Cisco Systems: 20 Years of Active Participation and Service in the Cisco Networking Academy® |
 ICT consultant Aggrey Marsh On the surface, Aggrey Marsh is a software developer and systems engineer with over 10 years of experience working across the Caribbean, from as far north as The Bahamas to Dominica, Antigua, Barbados, Trinidad, and, of course, his home country of Guyana. He has contributed to region-wide projects for organisations such as Sybase, Google, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), to name a few. He has been invited to sit on expert panels and deliver presentations for the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), CANTO, and Google. He currently serves as the Google Developer Group Lead for Guyana. Aggrey has also volunteered his time to assist the Guyana Robotics Team in preparing for the international competition annually over the past three years. In addition, he supports the Guyanese Students Association in Trinidad, where he represents the University of Trinidad and Tobago and previously served on the 2020/2021 Executive Committee. He also lends his expertise to other organisations whose work aligns with his areas of focus. He is trained in Rapid Damage Assessment by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and volunteers to deploy to any CARICOM country in need of assistance following a disaster. Beyond his role in the technology industry in Guyana and the wider Caribbean, Aggrey has been an outspoken advocate for the country’s ICT sector development. One of his key proposals is the use of tax incentives to boost the ICT sector and attract foreign investment. He has spoken on various ICT topics, including e-commerce, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and, most recently, the need for Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) as a foundation for a connected and resilient Guyana and Caribbean. Aggrey’s passion for Guyana’s development has been recognised in various circles of Guyanese society, leading to invitations to speak at a wide range of events on topics spanning diversity, telecommunications development, and its role in disaster management. He is currently pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering at the University of Trinidad and Tobago while managing his own consultancy, which serves clients in Guyana and abroad across multiple sectors—agriculture, defence, manufacturing, and energy—all with a strong technology focus. Aggrey has been part of a Caribbean team that developed a disaster management platform deployed in seven Caribbean countries, where it has been used to issue alerts and collect critical information. He has also worked in television broadcasting as a solutions provider in countries such as Grenada, St. Lucia, Trinidad and The Bahamas, in addition to participating in numerous other projects across the region over the years. |
 United Nations Internet Governance Forum Secretariat Programme Management Officer Anja Gengo works at the United Nations Secretariat for the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) as a programme expert and focal point for national, regional, and youth IGF initiatives. Prior to joining the IGF Secretariat, she worked in international non-profits, academia, and private legal practice, advising on international law, human rights, and media and IT law. Anja brings over a decade of experience as a debater, trainer, and judge in the Karl Popper and British Parliamentary debate formats, with extensive involvement in debate tournaments and training. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Law, a master’s degree in International Law, and a master’s degree in IT and IP Law. She is also an alumna of the Monroe E. Price Programme in Comparative Media Law and Policy at the University of Oxford and the Annenberg School for Communication. |
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