CTU ICT Week 2026 – French Guiana

September 20, 2026 - September 24, 2026
Venue: Mercure Cayenne Royal Amazonia Hotel, Cayenne, French Guiana

The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), in collaboration with the Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane, is pleased to host CTU ICT Week 2026 – French Guiana, from 20th– 24th September, 2026. 

As the CTU’s premier annual event, ICT Week provides a platform for regional and international stakeholders to exchange ideas, share best practices and shape digital policy and development across the Caribbean. 

The 2026 edition is particularly significant as it serves as a strategic prelude to the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP-26), positioning the Caribbean to engage more effectively on the global ICT agenda. 

The theme, “Advancing Resilience, Inclusion, Cybersecurity and Innovation in Caribbean Digital Development”, reflects a forward-looking, balanced approach to the region’s digital transformation, integrating social, economic and technological priorities. 

It builds on current CTU themes while responding to emerging global challenges, including climate vulnerability, digital inequality, cybersecurity risks and the rapid evolution of digital technologies. 

The theme also envisions French Guiana as a model for digital transformation, showcasing its strategic potential within the Caribbean and wider global digital ecosystem. 

OBJECTIVES 

CTU ICT Week 2026 aims to: 

  • Manage and oversee the strategic and operational effectiveness of the CTU 
  • Advance regional dialogue and cooperation on digital transformation and ICT policy 
  • Support the development of inclusive, resilient and sustainable digital economies 
  • Promote strategic ICT leadership among Caribbean governments 
  • Provide a platform for sharing insights on emerging technologies and global trends 
  • Strengthen regional coordination and global positioning in preparation for PP-26 
  • Encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and investment in the ICT sector 

KEY HIGHLIGHTS 

  • Statutory CTU Meetings – Including the convening of Ministers responsible for ICT to guide the strategic direction of the CTU. 
  • 24th Strategic ICT Ministerial Seminar – A high-level forum to identify technological trends and where high level dialogue will take place on regional ICT priorities and policy strategies. 
  • Expert Presentations and Panel Discussions – Featuring global thought leaders and technical experts on critical topics such as: 
  1. Digital Resilience  
  1. Universal Meaningful Connectivity and Digital Inclusion 
  1. AI, Data Governance and Digital Policy Leadership 
  1. Digital Economy, Innovation and Investment 
  1. Digital Government and Public Service Transformation 
  1. Skills, Jobs and the Future Workforce 
  1. Regional Integration and Global Positioning 
  • Innovation and Networking Spaces – Showcasing the creative potential of Caribbean innovators and entrepreneurs. 
  • Women and Youth Participation – Activities designed to engage women, young people, civil society and other stakeholders in the digital development agenda. 

TARGET AUDIENCE 

  • Government Ministers and policymakers 
  • ICT regulators and public sector technocrats 
  • Private sector representatives and investors 
  • Regional and international development partners 
  • Academia and research institutions 
  • Civil society and youth networks 

SIGNIFICANCE 

CTU ICT Week 2026 is positioned to serve as a catalyst for regional digital transformation, reinforcing the critical role of ICT in shaping a prosperous and connected Caribbean. The event will contribute to shaping forward-looking policies that increase the region’s competitiveness and resilience in an evolving global digital landscape. 

The CTU, with its members and partners, aim to unlock the full potential of ICTs for innovation, economic growth and sustainable development throughout the Caribbean. 

REGISTER

CTU ICT Week 2026 – French Guiana

20th – 24th September 2026

Week at a Glance

(Click a meeting name to view the agenda)

Date Time Event
Sunday 20th September 18:00 – 22:00 Opening Ceremony (Download)
Monday 21st September

 

 09:00 – 17:00 24th Ministerial Strategic ICT Seminar (OPEN) (Download)
09:00 – 17:00 Universal Postal Union (UPU) Workshop (INVITATION ONLY)
18:00 – 22:00 Cocktail Reception hosted by Hon. Marie-Lucienne Rattier
Tuesday 22nd September

 

 09:00 – 14:00 55th Executive Council Meeting (CLOSED) (Download)
09:00 – 14:00 CTU 4th CIYN Meeting (CLOSED)
09:00 – 14:00 Digital Futures Forum (OPEN)
09:00 – 14:00 2nd CTU Network of Women Leadership Seminar (OPEN) (Download)
14:00 – 17:00 Joint Meeting of 55th EC and 32nd GC (OPEN) (Download)
Wednesday 23rd September

 

 09:00 – 17:00 32nd General Conference of Ministers (CLOSED) (Download)
09:00 – 17:00 Digital Futures Forum (OPEN)
18:00 – 22:00 Closing Cocktail at City Hall of Cayenne (Open)
Thursday 24th September

 

 09:00 – 13:00 12th Caribbean ICT Regulators Forum (INVITATION ONLY)
09:00 – 13:00 CTU ICT4PWDs Leadership Workshop (OPEN)
13:00 – 17:00 Tour of European Space Agency’s Guiana Space Centre (CSG)

Opening Ceremony

Theme: Advancing Resilience, Inclusion, Innovation and Cybersecurity in Caribbean Digital Development

Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane (CTG) Headquarters

Sunday 20th September 2026

Provisional Agenda (Download)

(For ICT Week Registrants and Specially Invited Guests)

Time Activity Speaker
19:00 National Anthem
19:03 Invocation
19:05 Welcome Remarks Hon. Marie-Lucienne Rattier

Territorial Councillor

Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane (CTG)
19:10 Opening Remarks Senator, the Hon. Dominic Smith

President, CTU and

Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, Trinidad and Tobago
19:15 Remarks Mr. Philippe Dumont

Chief Executive Officer

ELLALINK
19:20 Remarks     Lead Sponsor
19:25 Keynote Address His Excellency Gabriel Serville

President

Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane (CTG)

 
19:40 Feature Address The Hon. Anne Le Hénanff (Virtual)

Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs of France
19:55 Vote of Thanks    MC
20:00 Official Photo

Exhibition Tour
20:30 Reception – Cultural Moment
21:00 End of Official Opening Ceremony

Back to Week at a Glance

24th Caribbean Ministerial Strategic ICT Seminar

Theme: Advancing Resilience, Inclusion, Innovation and Cybersecurity in Caribbean Digital Development

Mercure Cayenne Royal Amazonia Hotel

Monday 21st September 2026

Provisional Agenda (Download)

Time Item Presenter
09:00 Welcome and Introductory Remarks Mr. Rodney Taylor

Secretary-General, CTU
09:05 Presentation: AI for Caribbean Transformation – Digital Health Dr. Alexandre Saint Vincent Villeneuve

PhD researcher in AI for breast cancer detection – University of Canada
09:20 High-Level Roundtable

 

AI, Data Governance and Digital Policy Leadership

  • AI governance frameworks for small states
  • Data sovereignty and cross-border data flows
  • Ethical AI and regulatory readiness

 

 

Q&A

 Moderator: Dr. Craig Ramlal

Executive Director, Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus

 

·   Sen. the Hon. Dominic Smith

Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, Government of Trinidad and Tobago; President – CTU

·   Hon. Konris Maynard

Minister of ICT & Post, St. Kitts and Nevis; Vice-President – CTU

·   Hon. Jonathan Reid

Minister of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology, Barbados

·   Hon. Marie-Lucienne Rattier

Territorial Councillor

Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane

·     Mr. Ed Watal

Founder – Intellibus
10:15 Coffee Break
10:45 Presentation: Mr. Philippe Dumont

Chief Executive Officer

ELLALINK
11:00 (1hr) Panel Discussion: Digital Resilience (Core Track)

 

·       Resilient infrastructure (submarine cables, IXPs, satellite redundancy)

·       Climate-resilient ICT for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

·       Cyber resilience and national security frameworks

·       Business continuity and disaster recovery planning

 

Q&A

 Moderator:  Mr. Rodney Taylor

Secretary-General, CTU

 

Panelists:

·   Mr. Andres Figoli – ITU

·   Digicel/Liberty/Orange

·   Mr. Cédric Pradel – ACCYB

·   Mr. Giovanni King – CDA

·   Mr. Ryan Johnson – VIASAT

·   Mr. Santiago Garcia-Guillen

Satellite Telecommunications Specialist – French National Centre for Space Studies

12:00 Presentation:  Closing Connectivity Gaps in the Caribbean Ms. Catherine Hinkley

Principal, Connectivity Policy, Amazon
12:15 Panel Discussion:

Universal Meaningful Connectivity & Digital Inclusion

  • Affordable access and last-mile connectivity
  • Rural and remote connectivity solutions
  • Accessibility for vulnerable groups

 

Q&A

 Moderator: 

Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton, Managing Director – Spectrum Management Authority, Jamaica; Chair CTU-NoW

 

Panelist:

·   Ms. Isabelle Mauro

Director General, GSOA

·   Mr. Zach Blackburn

Lead for Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Amazon Leo

·   Mr. David Fazio

Chief Executive Officer, Helix Opportunity

·   Mr. Kirk Sookram

Deputy CEO – Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT)
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Presentation: Mr. Ryan Johnson

VIASAT
14:15 Panel Discussion:

Digital Economy, Innovation and Investment

 

  • ICT as a driver of economic diversification
  • Startup ecosystems and innovation hubs
  • Public-private partnerships
  • Digital trade and cross-border services

Q&A

 Moderator: Ms. Vashti Maharaj

Adviser, Digital Trade Policy

Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda

Panelists:

·   Mr. Philippe Dumont

Chief Executive Officer

ELLALINK

·   CAF

·   IDB Representative

·   Ms. Mariana Royer

Founder & CEO

Biostratege

·   Mr. Frédéric Adragna

Head and Program Manager – Connect by CNES – French Space Agency (CNES)
15:15 Coffee Break
15:30 Sponsors’ Lightning Presentations:

Topics to be aligned with the speakers

 

 

 

Q&A

 Moderator: Ms. Nia Nanan

Senior Research Specialist – CTU

·      Mr. Vincent Robert

Director General

Strategic Scout

·      Mr. Alban Gibassier

Marlink

·      Chief Executive Officer – Telesur

·      Sponsor 4
16:30 Panel Discussion:  Digital Government and Public Service Transformation

  • Citizen-centric digital services
  • Digital public infrastructure (DPI)
  • Interoperability and e-government platforms
  • Trust, identity and digital ID systems
 Moderator:  Dr. Maurice McNaughton, Director of the Centre of Excellence and Innovation at Mona School of Business and Management, The University of the West Indies

 

·   Mr. Philippe Dumont

Chief Executive Officer

ELLALINK

·   iGovTT

·   Ms. Francesca Dona – EU LAC

Digital Alliance

·   Fujitsu
17:30 Wrap Up Mr. Rodney Taylor, CTU
 17:45 End of 24th Caribbean Ministerial Strategic ICT Seminar

Back to Week at a Glance

CTU Network of Women (CTU-NoW) Leadership Seminar

THEME: Women Leading Resilient, Inclusive and Innovative Caribbean Digital Development

Tuesday 22nd September 2026

Provisional Agenda (Download)

TIME ITEM SPEAKER
09:00 Welcome & Introduction Ms. Francola John

Stakeholder Engagement Specialist; and

Coordinator, CTU Network of Women
09:05

 

 Opening Remarks Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton

Managing Director, Spectrum Management Authority, Jamaica and Chair of CTU Network of Women
09:15

 

 Address: Hon. Marie Lucienne Rattier

Territorial Councillor

Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane
09:25

 

 Keynote Address: Dr. Cosmas Zavazava

Director, BDT – ITU
09:40 Feature Address: Women at the Forefront of Caribbean Digital Transformation Her Worship Sandra Trochimara

Mayor of Cayenne
10:00 Coffee Break and Group Photo
10:15 Panel 1:  Women Shaping the Caribbean’s Digital Future: Leadership, Policy and Global Influence

 

Key Discussion Areas:

·  Women at the decision-making table: How do we move beyond participation towards meaningful leadership and influence in ICT policy?

·  Resilience and digital trust: What role do women and girls play in an era of cybersecurity threats, climate vulnerability and rapid technological change?

·  Caribbean influence globally: How can women leaders strengthen the Caribbean voice at international digital policy fora?

·  Regional and International collaboration: How can networks such as CTU-NoW create stronger partnerships among women policymakers, regulators and industry leaders? (CITEL, ITU, ATU etc.)

 Moderator: Mrs. Nicole Watkins,

Vice Chair CTU-NoW

 

·       Hon. Marie Lucienne Rattier

Territorial Councillor – CTU

·       Ms. Ria Karim

Chairwoman – iGovTT

·       Mrs. Michelle Grell-Bereaux

ITU NoW Advisory Board Member – Caribbean

·       Ms. Rebecca Siber

Regional Director, Orange en Guyaye

 

 
11:15 Panel 2:  From Participation to Leadership: Building the Caribbean’s Future Digital Workforce

 

Key Discussion Areas

  • What skills will women need to compete and lead in an AI-driven economy?
  • Developing women entrepreneurs and technology founders.
  • Engaging girls and young women early enough to develop a sustainable ICT/STEM talent pipeline.
  • Creating opportunities for women from rural, remote and underserved communities.

 

 Moderator:  Ms. Vashti Maharaj

 

Panelists:

·       Ms. Nathaly Carolina

DataAxis

·       Ms. Catherine Hinkley

Amazon

·       Ms. Mariana Royer

Founder & CEO – Biostratege

·       GSMA

·       Sponsor
12:15 WRAP UP AND NEXT STEPS Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton

Chairwoman – CTU-NoW
12:30 END OF CTU-NOW LEADERSHIP SEMINAR

Back to Week at a Glance

Joint EC55 and GC32

Mercure Cayenne Royal Amazonia Hotel

Tuesday 22nd September 2026

Provisional Agenda (Open) (Download)

Time Item Presenter
14:00 Opening Remarks Mr. Rodney Taylor, Secretary General, CTU
14:05 Presentation: LACNIC CEO
  Secretariat Updates: 
14:15

 

 ·       Caribbean Internet Governance 22nd /SIDs /CYIGF

·       Caribbean Spectrum Management

·       Regional Regulatory Body

·       Membership of French Guiana

 Mr. Nigel Cassimire, Deputy Secretary-General, CTU

 

 
14:30 ·       Caribbean Network Resilience (Satelitte and Submarine Cables)

·       Caribbean ICT Youth Network (CIYN): Updates

 Mr. Tariq Mohammed

ITU Consultant, Chair, CIYN
14:40 CTU Caribbean AI Taskforce Dr. Craig Ramlal, Chair CTU AI Task Force
14:50 CTU Network of Women (CTU-NoW) Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton

CTU-NoW
15:00  CREWS Project Mr. Gary Kalloo –CTU

Ms. Vanessa Gray

Head, Climate & Emergency Telecommunications, ITU
15:10 Regional Digital Infrastructure Project Mr. Pau Puig Gabarro

IDB
15:20 COFFEE BREAK  
15:30

 

 FRENCH AMBASSADORS AND EU SESSION  Moderator:

 
16:30 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP26) Mr. Rodney Taylor, Secretary-General, CTU and Ms. Michelle Grell-Bereaux, Utilities Regulation & Competition Authority (URCA)The Bahamas
16:50 ITU Candidatures ·  Mr. Stephen Bereaux (The Bahamas)

·  Mr. Cecil McCain (Jamaica)

·  Mr. Eric Fournier (France)

·  ATU
17:30 Wrap-up  Mr. Nigel Cassimire, CTU
  End of Joint Meeting

Back to Week at a Glance

 


Chief Executive Officer of Blue NAP Americas

Giovanni King

Giovanni King is a distinguished telecommunications leader and the current Chief Executive Officer of Blue NAP Americas, as well as the Chairman of the Caribbean Datacenter Association. With over two decades of industry experience, Giovanni spent most of his career as a senior executive for telecommunications regulatory authorities across the Dutch Caribbean. A technical expert by training, he holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Fontys University (Netherlands) and a master’s degree in Telecommunications Regulation and Policy from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. Today, he leverages this unique blend of regulatory foresight and technical expertise to steer Blue NAP Americas as a premier digital hub for the Pan-Caribbean region.

EllaLink

EllaLink is a privately funded and independent company committed to providing products and services on a Carrier Neutral and Open Access basis.

The EllaLink submarine cable system is an advanced optical platform offering secure high-capacity connectivity on a unique low latency transatlantic route serving the growing needs of the Latin American and European markets.

The EllaLink network directly connects Brazil and Europe, linking the major hubs of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza with Lisbon, Madrid and Marseille.

The EllaLink submarine cable system has been built with state-of-the-art coherent technology initially offering 100Tbps of capacity over four direct fibre pairs between Europe and Brazil. Marguerite II, a pan-European equity fund active in the renewables, energy, transport and digital infrastructure sectors, is the main shareholder of EllaLink.

Amazon