School of Digital Transformation and Innovation in the Caribbean 2025
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June 16, 2025 - June 20, 2025
Venue:
Theme: Advancing Digital Transformation in the Caribbean: Meaningful connectivity, AI Governance, and Innovation
1. About the School of Digital Transformation and Innovation
The School of Digital Transformation and Innovation is a premier capacity-building initiative designed to empower policymakers and stakeholders in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) with cutting-edge knowledge on digital transformation. Through interactive lectures, panel discussions, case studies, and peer-learning exercises, the School facilitates the exchange of insights on emerging technologies, digital governance, and regulatory best practices.
Following the success of its first Caribbean edition in 2024, the second edition in 2025 aims to deepen engagement with regional policymakers, industry experts, and international organizations. This year’s School will emphasize infrastructure resilience, meaningful connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI), governance frameworks, and financial strategies for digital transformation.
The program is co-organized by prominent institutions, including:
- ECLAC: The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
- CAF: Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean
- CETIC.br: Regional Centre for Studies for the Development of the Information Society
- Internet Technical Community: LACNIC, ICANN, Internet Society, LACTLD, LAC-IX, LACNOG, Red CLARA
- CTU: The Caribbean Telecommunications Union
- UWI: The University of the West Indies
2. Why a Caribbean Edition?
The Caribbean faces distinct challenges and opportunities in digital transformation. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the region grapple with issues such as:
- Limited telecommunications infrastructure
- Exposure to natural disasters
- Financial constraints
- Data governance and security concerns
To address these challenges, the 2025 School will provide a dedicated space for regional dialogue, capacity building, and collaboration. By focusing on meaningful connectivity, resilient digital infrastructure, and AI governance, the program aims to enhance the Caribbean’s digital economy and regulatory landscape.
3. Objectives
The 2025 edition of the school seeks to:
- Advance Policy Development: Foster discussions on regulatory and policy frameworks for the Caribbean.
- Foster Digital Inclusion: Ensure that digital transformation efforts are equitable and inclusive, bridging the digital divide in underserved communities.
- Develop Resilient Digital Infrastructure: Address the region’s vulnerabilities by promoting robust and sustainable digital infrastructure solutions.
- Promote Ethical AI and Data Governance: Support discussions on responsible AI adoption, ethical considerations, and data protection frameworks.
- Strengthen Regional Cooperation: Promote cross-sectoral collaboration to drive digital transformation.
- Build Technical and Strategic Capacities: Equip policymakers and stakeholders with tools to navigate the evolving digital landscape.
4. Thematic Pillars and Key Topics
The program is structured around six key thematic pillars, each addressing critical aspects of digital transformation:
- Internet: operations, actors and current challenges
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Innovation
- Meaningful Connectivity
- Infrastructure Resilience and Regulation
- Regional Cooperation and Policy Frameworks
- Measurement and Visualization of Digital Development Progress for Policy Development
- Methodology
The school will use an interactive and practical approach to learning:
- Lectures and Workshops: Expert-led sessions on key thematic areas.
- Panel Discussions and Debates: Dialogues featuring policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers.
- Case studies presentation from participants: Showcasing existing digital initiatives.
6. Target Audience
The School is designed for mid-to-senior level policymakers (with at least seven years of experience) from ministries related to Digital/ICT, Finance, Trade, Planning & Economy, and Legal Affairs. Additional participants will include regulators, industry representatives, chambers of commerce, academics, and international organizations engaged in digital transformation policy development in the Caribbean.
The program has a maximum seating capacity of 40 participants
7. Event Details
- Date: June 16-20, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (UTC -4)
- Venue: Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
- Mode: In-person participation
- Language: English (No interpretation services available)
- Certificates: Awarded to participants who complete at least two-thirds of the sessions
- Registration: By invitation only; expressions of interest are encouraged
PROVISIONAL AGENDA (Download)
| TIME | ACTIVITY | PRESENTER |
| DAY ONE – TECHNICAL COMMUNITY | ||
| Topic: Internet | ||
| 09:00
09:30 |
Opening Ceremony
Mistress of Ceremony Partners’ Welcome Remarks
Address |
Ms. Francola John
Stakeholder Engagement Specialist, CTU
Mr. Demetris Herakleous Associate Economic Affairs Officer Division of Productivity, Development and Management UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UN ECLAC) Mr. Bernardo Requena Director Representative Trinidad and Tobago Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) Ms. Ana Laura Martínez Coordinator of Regional Technical Cooperation Regional Center for Studies on the Development of the Information Society ((Cetic.br) at NIC.br – The Brazilian Network Information Center (Cetic.br) Dr. Kim Mallalieu Chair, St. Augustine Campus ICT Steering Committee; and Leader, Communication Systems Group in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mr. Cory Belfon Permanent Secretary representing Sen. the Honourable Dominic Smith Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, Trinidad and Tobago; and President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) |
| 09:40 | Signing of MoU between CTU and EULAC Networks of Women | |
| 09:50 | Group Photo | |
| TIME | ACTIVITY | PRESENTER |
| DAY ONE – TECHNICAL COMMUNITY (Continued) | ||
| Topic: Internet | ||
| 10:00 | How does the Internet work?
An overview of standards, technical functions and the organisations responsible for Internet technical coordination. |
Moderator: (TBC)
Mr. César Díaz Telecommunications Affairs, LACNIC Dr. Claire Craig Internet Exchange Point (IXP) Researcher and Consultant CaribNOG Mr. Albert Daniels, ICANN Mr. Russell Bean, Internet Society |
| 11:30 | Coffee Break | |
| 11:45 | New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program | Mr. Albert Daniels, ICANN |
| 12:30 | Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) | Mr. Russell Bean, Internet Society |
| 13:15 | Lunch | |
| 14:15 | Roundtable: The Future of the Internet — Integration or Fragmentation | Mr. Albert Daniels, ICANN |
| 16:00 | Coffee Break | |
| 16:15 | Multistakeholder model | Mr. Albert Daniels, ICANN |
| 17:15 | WSIS+20 Review | Ms. Deniz Susar, UNDESA |
| 17:45 | End of Day 1 | |
| TIME | ACTIVITY | PRESENTERS |
| DAY 2 – UN ECLAC | ||
| Topic: AI, DPI & Gender | ||
| AI Governance & Measurement: | Moderator: Ms. Ana Laura Martínez
(Cetic.br) |
|
| 08:30 | Lessons for AI Strategy-Making from 25 years of Caribbean ICT Policy Making | Mr. Craig Perue, UWI |
| 09:00 | AI Strategies in the Caribbean/AI Index for Latin America and the Caribbean | Mr. Demetris Herakleous, UN ECLAC |
| 09:30 | OBIA – Brazilian AI Observatory | Mr. Luiz Alexandre Costa
Observatório Brasileiro de Inteligência Artificial (OBIA) |
| 10:00 | Coffee Break | |
| Developing Regulatory and Ethical Frameworks AI: | Moderator: Dr. Letetia Addison, UWI | |
| 10:30 | Emerging Global Trends in AI Governance | Ms. Sharmista Appaya (Virtual)
World Bank |
| 11:00 | Best practices and challenges in developing ethical and regulatory frameworks for AI | Mr. Alejandro Forero,
Specialist of the Directorate of Digital Transformation, CAF |
| AI and Productivity Development: | Moderator: Ms. Emily Carerra
Digital Transformation Executive, CAF |
|
| 11:30
|
Impact of AI on Productivity in LAC and Determinants of AI Adoption in Businesses (Brazil case study) | Mr. Alejandro Patiño
UN ECLAC |
| 12:00 | Digital Policy Simulator Presentation
|
Dr. Dale Alexander
UN ECLAC Caribbean |
| 12:30 | Lunch | |
| Gender Gaps in Digital Transformation: | Moderator: Ms. Francola John
CTU Focal Point for ITU Network of Women |
|
| 13:30 | Gender Gaps in Latin America | Ms. Ana Laura Martínez, (Cetic.br) |
| 13:40 | Gender Gaps in the Caribbean | Ms. Simone Joseph-Olliverre
Assistant Director, EGovernment Unit Information Technology Services Division St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
| 13:50 | Group Exercise: Case Studies on Gender Gaps | |
| 15:00 | Coffee Break | |
| TIME | ACTIVITY | PRESENTERS |
| DAY 2 – UN ECLAC (Continued) | ||
| Topic: AI, DPI & Gender | ||
| Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Decentralised Digital Identity: | Moderator: Ms. Lika Doehl Diouf
UN ECLAC Caribbean |
|
| 15:30 | Core concepts, challenges and opportunities in the
Caribbean context |
Ms. Carolina Rossini
University of Massachusetts |
| 16:00 | Concepts, Deployment and Challenges | Mr. Alejandro Forero
Specialist of the Directorate of Digital Transformation, CAF |
| Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and necessary Legal and Regulatory Enablers: | Moderator: Mr. Demetris Herakleous UN ECLAC | |
| 16:30 | DPI, definition and maturity model | Ms. Saniya Ansar (Virtual)
Mr. Claudio Machado (Virtual) The World Bank |
| 17:00 | E-signatures, data protection and governance
|
Ms. Nay Constantine (Virtual)
Mr. Prakhar Bhardwaj (Virtual) The World Bank |
| 17:30 | End of Day 2 | |
| TIME | ACTIVITY | PRESENTERS |
| DAY 3 – Regional Center for Studies on the Development of the Information Society (Cetic.br) | ||
| 08:30 | Welcome and description of the day’s agenda | Ms. Ana Laura Martínez
Regional Center for Studies on the Development of the Information Society (CETIC) at NIC.br – The Brazilian Network Information Center (etic.br) |
| 08:40 | Meaningful Connectivity for the Caribbean | Moderator: Nia Nanan
Senior Research Analyst, CTU Panelists: Ms. Ana Laura Martínez, Cetic.br Ms. Annie Baldeo Executive Officer Policy, Planning and Economics Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) Ms. Viviana Umpierrez Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) ITU (Virtual) |
| 10:00 | Coffee Break | |
| 10:15 | Class: Digital Literacy and Meaningful
Connectivity |
Moderator:
Ms. Ana Laura Martínez Cetic.br Ms. Carolina Rossini University of Massachusetts |
| 11:30 | Lunch | |
| 12:30 | Educational Tour to Two Submarine Cable Landing Stations | |
| 17:00 | Networking Social Gathering and Cocktails (CTU office) | |
| 19:00 | End of Day 3 | |
| TIME | ACTIVITY | PRESENTERS | |
| DAY 4 – The University of the West Indies (UWI) | |||
| 08:30 | Welcome & Recap of Day 3 | Dr. Kim Mallalieu
Senior Lecturer & Leader of the Communication Systems Group, UWI |
|
| 08:45 | Cybersecurity for resilience: | Moderator: Mr. Kirk Sookram
Deputy CEO, TATT |
|
| 09:00 | Cybersecurity and resilience against threats | Mr. Shiva Bissessar
CEO, Pinaka Consulting Ltd. |
|
| 09:40 | AI for Cybersecurity | Dr. Craig Ramlal
Head of the Control Systems Group & Principal Investigator of the Intelligent Systems Laboratory, UWI |
|
| 10.10 | Q&A and Sharing of Cybersecurity experiences by participants | ||
| 10:30 | Coffee Break | ||
| 11:00
|
Fortifying Core Internet Infrastructure –Exploring Regional Data Embassies | Moderator: Mr. Junior McIntyre
Deputy National Chief Digital Officer Ministry of Public Administration & AI Trinidad & Tobago |
|
| 11:10
|
Data Centers, DNS and Root Servers | Mr. Edison Stephen
Subject Matter Expert (ICT) Ministry of Public Administration & AI |
|
| 11:20 | Financing Data Centres for Regional Development | Mr. Alejandro Forero
Specialist of the Directorate of Digital Transformation, CAF Ms. Emily Carrera Digital Transformation Executive, CAF |
|
| 11:30 | Development IXPs, Peering, and Governance
|
Dr. Claire Craig
Internet Exchange Point (IXP) Researcher and Consultant, CaribNOG |
|
| 11:40 | Participants Breakout Session | ||
| 12:30 | Lunch | ||
| 13:30 | Fellowships for Cybersecurity | His Excellency Jon Mark Dean
High Commissioner to Trinidad & Tobago United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
|
| 13:35 | Critical Internet Infrastructure – Submarine & Space | Moderator: Dr. Kim Mallalieu, UWI | |
| 13:45 | Submarine Cable Resilience | Mr. Nigel Cassimire
Deputy Secretary-General, CTU |
|
| TIME | ACTIVITY | PRESENTERS | |
| DAY 4 – The University of the West Indies (UWI) (Continued) | |||
| 14:45 | Satellite Resilience | Mr. Ryan Johnson
Senior Director for Global Regulatory Affairs, Viasat and Chair of the Americas Regional Group Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA) |
|
| 15:00 | Coffee Break | ||
| 15:15 | Regulating for Resilience | Moderator: Mr. Nigel Cassimire
Deputy Secretary-General, CTU |
|
| 15:25 | The Trinidad and Tobago Case | Mr. Kurleigh Prescod
CEO, TATT |
|
| 15:45 | Lessons from ECTEL | Ms. Tira Greene
Independent Caribbean Legal Expert and Legislative Drafter Consultant |
|
| 16:15 | Participants: Discussion and Sharing of Experiences | Moderator: Dr. Kim Mallalieu, UWI | |
| 17:00 | End of Day 4 | ||
| TIME | ACTIVITY | PRESENTERS |
| DAY 5 – Caribbean Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) | ||
| 08:30 | Presentation of the eLAC Agenda
Digital Development Observatory (DDO) |
Mr. Demetris Herakleous
UN ECLAC Ms. Shelley-Ann Clarke-Hinds Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, Trinidad and Tobago Ms. Valeria Jordan (Virtual) UN ECLAC |
| 09:15 | Finance for Digital Transformation | Mr. Alejandro Forero
Specialist of the Directorate of Digital Transformation, CAF Ms. Emily Carrera, Digital Transformation Executive, CAF |
| 10:00 | Data Embassies: Legal and Governance | Ms. Tira Green
Independent Caribbean Legal Expert and Legislative Drafter Consultant |
| 10:20 | Coffee Break | |
| 10:40 | EU-LAC Digital Alliance Initiative: Special Intervention | Moderator: Mr. Alejandro Patiño
UN ECLAC His Excellency Peter Cavendish Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary |
| 11:15 | CARICOM Single ICT Space | Mr. Nigel Cassimire
Deputy Secretary-General, CTU |
| 11:45 | SoDTIC 2025: Evaluation and Feedback | Moderator:
Mr. Demetris Herakleous, UN ECLAC Mr. Rodrigo Sukarie, Cetic.br |
| 12:30 | Closing Ceremony and Presentation of Certificates | Ms. Miosotis Rivas Peña, Director UN ECLAC Caribbean
Mr. Alejandro Forero, Specialist of the Directorate of Digital Transformation CAF Mr. Albert Daniels, ICANN, Technical Community Ms. Ana Laura Martinez, Cetic.br Ms. Kim Mallelieu, The University of the West Indies Mr. Nigel, Cassimire, Caribbean Telecommunications Union |
| 12:45 | End of Day 5 | |
 Secretary-General Rodney Taylor Mr. Rodney Taylor, a Barbadian national, has served as Secretary-General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) since March 1, 2021. He brings over 30 years of public sector experience, including senior roles in the Government of Barbados. Notably, he served as Chief Digital Technology Officer at the Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology (MIST), where he led national digital transformation efforts, and as Head of the Information Systems Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. At the CTU, Mr. Taylor facilitates collaboration among Caribbean governments and ICT stakeholders to advance regional ICT policies and national digital strategies. Internationally, he chairs the ITU’s Informal Expert Group for the World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum 2026 and serves on the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience, a joint initiative of the ITU and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC). |
 Deputy Secretary-General and Head of Regional Policy Development Nigel Cassimire Nigel Cassimire is a telecommunications engineer with over 30 years of experience in technical, operational, and executive management of telecommunications systems and services. He possesses in-depth knowledge of ICTs, with practical expertise in network planning, operations, and policy development. Since 2005, Mr. Cassimire has served as a Consulting Telecommunications Specialist, working closely with the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) to advance harmonised regional approaches to spectrum management, Internet governance, and ICT policy. He has also undertaken consultancies for several CTU member states. Mr. Cassimire holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering, and a Diploma in Management Studies from The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. He is a fellow of the Telecommunications Engineering and Management Institute of Canada (TEMIC) and an alumnus of the Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France. |
 Specialist of the Directorate of Digital Transformation at CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean Alejandro Forero Guzmán Alejandro Forero Guzmán, Specialist of the Directorate of Digital Transformation at CAF – Development Bank of LatinAmerica and the Caribbean, where he works to promote the strategic adoption of digital technologies to enhance the impact, efficiency, and innovation of development programs to enhance infrastructure, productivity, and inclusion across Latin America—contributing to a better quality of life for its citizens. His areas of expertise include software-hardware integration, data acquisition and processing, and the large-scale implementation of intelligent systems and infrastructure projects. Alejandro is an Electronic Engineer and holds a Master’s in Electronic Engineering, and a PhD candidate in Engineering. He has extensive experience in managing Information Technology (IT) projects, from design to execution, combining technical knowledge with strategic project leadership. He also served as a university professor and researcher, contributing to innovation and capacity building in the fields of engineering and digital transformation. |
 Internet Exchange Point (IXP) Researcher and Consultant Dr. Claire C. Craig I’m Claire C. Craig, an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) researcher and consultant living in Trinidad and Tobago. I have aPhD is Social Policy from the University of the West Indies (UWI), at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) at the St. Augustine Campus in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. I am the Director of Research and Stakeholder Engagement of CaribNOG – https://www.caribnog.org/, and the cofounder of the Caribbean IXP Directory and Traffic Monitoring System – https://www.caribixps.com/. I am currently one of the Co-Vice Chairs of At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) – (2023 – 2025), a stakeholder group of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names And Numbers (ICANN) and the Co-Chair of the Operations, Finance and Budget Working Group (OFB-WG). I was previously the Secretary of the Latin America and the Caribbean Regional At Large Organizations (LACRALO) – (2021 – 2023). Prior to mid-2021, I was the Senior IT Officer at the UWI, St. Augustine. |
 Head of the Control Systems Group and Principal Investigator of the Intelligent Systems Laboratory at The UWI. Dr. Craig Ramlal Dr. Craig Ramlal is Head of the Control Systems Group and Principal Investigator of the IntelligentSystems Laboratory at The UWI. In 2023, he was recognized as a pre-eminent AI leader by the United Nations and appointed to the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI. He serves as an AI Expert with the UNDP’s Global Policy Network, a lead on IEEE’s Global Initiative on the Ethics of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems 2.0, on the CARICOM’s Security Strategy Steering Committee, the CTU’s AI Taskforce, and as an advisor to CXC on regional AI education policy. Dr. Ramlal led the development of the postgraduate degrees in AI in UWI, served as a peer reviewer for UNESCO’s Caribbean AI Policy Roadmap, and collaborated with CARICOM IMPACS on the adopted Autonomous Weapon Systems Declaration. He conceptualized and helped launch UWI’s INSIGHT Institute and served on the UWI AI subcommittee to create the adopted AI policy across all four campuses. His research spans control systems, artificial intelligence, and game theory. Through his lab, he collaborates globally on AI, robotics, computing, and health technologies—resulting in implemented systems and numerous academic publications. He holds BSc, MASc, and split-site PhD degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from UWI and King Fahd University. |
 Subject Matter Expert (ICT) for Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence Edison Stephen Edison Stephen, an IT leader with over 25 years of experience, specializes in fortifying ICT infrastructure and drivingdigital transformation. As Subject Matter Expert (ICT) for Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence (2023-present), he advises on datacenters, public/private ICT networks, and cloud platforms, including inter-island connectivity and governance. As Pre-Sales Regional Manager at Productive Business Solutions (2023-2024), he introduced innovative solutions on infrastructure management, ICT security and digitization across the Southern Caribbean. Previously, as COO at Infotrans Group (2022-2023), he optimized operations and governance for regional growth. At Fujitsu Caribbean (2007-2014), Edison led the design of Trinidad and Tobago’s government backbone, focusing on resilient networks and datacenters. His expertise in risk mitigation and high-performance team leadership makes him a key voice in Business and ICT leadership. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from Henley Business School and is an Accredited Tier Specialist, Uptime Institute (2023) |
 Deputy National Chief Digital Officers at the Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence Junior Mc Intyre Junior McIntyre is an accomplished IT professional with over three decades of experience and currently serves as oneof the Deputy National Chief Digital Officers at the Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. He holds advanced degrees in Information Systems Management and Computer Information Systems and has played a leading role in advancing digital transformation across the public, education, and justice sectors in the Caribbean, as well as in non-profit organizations in the United States. Junior’s leadership in programme development has been pivotal in driving multi-country digital transformation initiatives that enhance service delivery and operational efficiency. His expertise spans ICT development, telecommunications and IT infrastructure, programme management, and stakeholder engagement, positioning him as a key figure in shaping technological landscapes to meet national and institutional objectives. |
 Senior Lecturer and leader of the Communication Systems Group in Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of the West Indies, Kim Mallalieu Kim Mallalieu (BSEE MIT, PhD UCL) is senior lecturer and leader of the Communication Systems Group in Electricaland Computer Engineering at The University of the West Indies, where she chairs the St. Augustine Campus ICT Steering Committee; and delivered the Master’s in Telecommunications Regulation and Policy. She is the recipient of local, regional and international teaching and research awards; and is a licensed amateur and GMDSS short range radio operator. Past roles include Deputy Chair of the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago; Vice Chair of the Advisory Board for the Network of Women in ITU-D; coordinator of CITEL’s PCC.I Mentoring Programme; chief rapporteurship of Universal Safeguards for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiative; lead of the Trinidad and Tobago Open Source Programme Office; and expert advisor to the “Smart Seas” Project. She is the first woman to title a dog in the port of Schutzhund in Trinidad and Tobago. |
 Associate Economic Affairs Officer Demetris Herakleous Demetris Herakleous is an Associate Economic Affairs Officer at the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). He holds a degree from the University of Cyprus Business School and a master’s degree in International Relations. As part of ECLAC’s Digital Transformation Unit, Demetris is a member of the team that serves as the Technical Secretariat for eLAC, the Digital Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean. Demetris is directly responsible for the implementation of eLAC activities in the Caribbean and serves as Coordinator of the Caribbean Working Group on Digital Transformation. He has been actively involved in regional initiatives on AI governance, including the development of the governance pillar of the Latin America and Caribbean Index for Artificial Intelligence 2024, which he was in charge in developing the index for national AI strategies, regulatory frameworks, and legislative developments across the region. |
 Chief Executive Officer of the Telecommunications Authority, Trinidad and Tobago. Kurleigh Prescod Kurleigh serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago. He hasover two decades of leadership experience in technical and general management roles in the telecommunications sector. His portfolio includes work with both regulators and operators across various markets in the region, including Trinidad and Tobago, Curacao, Barbados and the Windward Islands. He also serves as Chair of the Spectrum Management Steering Committee of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union. Kurleigh holds a B.Sc. in Electrical & Computer Engineering from UWI and an M.Sc. in Telecommunications from the University of Maryland. He is an avid cricket fan and soca music lover, and lives with his wife Tricia and their two sons in central Trinidad. |
 Senior Director for Global Regulatory Affairs Ryan Johnson Ryan Johnson is Senior Director for Global Regulatory Affairs at the global satellite broadband firm, Viasat. He alsoserves as chair of the Americas regional group in the Global Satellite Operators’ Association, GSOA. He holds a master’s degree in Contemporary Diplomacy from the University of Malta and a bachelors in Political Science. He has nearly 20 years of experience in the global technology policy space, with a focus on cybersecurity, development, and connectivity policy, as an advisor to governments and industry. His work has been published in various academic journals, magazines, and UN publications. |
 Deputy Chief Executive Officer Kirk Sookram Kirk Sookram holds the position of Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Telecommunications Authorityof Trinidad and Tobago, having started as an Engineer with the Authority since its inception in July 2004. During his tenure at the Authority, he has specialized in the areas of spectrum management, wireless technologies, telecommunications regulation, ICT and broadband development, cost modeling, universal service initiatives and policy development. Kirk holds a Bachelors of Science Degree (with Honours) in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the University of the West Indies and a Masters of Science Degree (Distinction) in Operational Telecommunications from Coventry University, United Kingdom. He’s a firm believer of holistic well-being for a balanced life and not still manages to play football and table tennis. |
 Founder, Pinaka Consulting Limited Shiva Bissessar Since 2013, Shiva Bissessar has been focused on Information Security offering services to the local andwider Caribbean region. Via my boutique consultancy, Pinaka Consulting Limited, I worked on significant research and innovation projects involving FinTech and cybersecurity. Most notably, I served as programme manager on the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank’s retail Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot: a global first implementation within a monetary union. I’ve led research into illicit virtual asset usage in the Caribbean as a regional security initiative and over the past decade I’ve advocated for online protections for children. To relax and maintain balance I enjoy swimming and cycling. |
 Coordinator of Technical Cooperation for Latin America and Portuguese-speaking African countries at the Center for Studies on the Development of the Information Society Ana Laura Martinez Ana Laura Martínez is the Coordinator of Technical Cooperation for Latin America and Portuguese-speaking African countries at the Center for Studies on the Development of the Information Society (Cetic.br | NIC.br), under the auspices of UNESCO. Previously, she worked at Plan Ceibal—Uruguay’s national ICT in education national policy—first as Coordinator of Monitoring and Evaluation, and later as Head of Social Development, where she played a key role in bridging research and policy. She also contributed to the design of the first online Master’s program in ICT4D at Stockholm University, Sweden, and was a Lecturer in Sociology at both public and private universities in Uruguay. Ana Laura has authored articles and book chapters on education and digital inclusion, coordinated the development of frameworks for measuring ICT access and use, and produced monitoring reports on the digital agendas of the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. Born in Uruguay and currently based in Brazil, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Universidad de la República (Uruguay) and a Master’s degree in Sociology and Education from Columbia University (New York). |
 Executive Officer, Policy, Planning and Economics Annie Baldeo Ms. Annie Baldeo is the Executive Officer, Policy, Planning and Economics at the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT). She has served with TATT for approximately twenty years where she is responsible for policy development, statistical indicators, strategic planning, costing modelling, competition analysis and digital inclusion. She contributes to the publication of Trinidad and Tobago industry’s Market Reports and was previously appointed vice-chair of the International Telecommunications Union international expert group on benchmarking telecommunications and ICT indicators. Prior to this position, Annie was employed with organisations both in the private and public sector including the National Information and Communication Technology Secretariat of the Ministry of Public Administration where she was involved in the development of Trinidad and Tobago’s first National ICT Plan. Her academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management, Economics and Finance from the University of the West Indies, and an MBA in Strategic Planning. |
 Professor Carolina A. Rossini Prof. Carolina Rossini, JD, MBA, LL.M., is a globally recognized expert in technology policy and law with over 25 years of experience advancing inclusive and rights-based digital transformation. As Professor of Practice and Director of Public Interest Technology Programs at the Public Interest Technology Initiative at UMass Amherst and Law Adjunct Professor at Boston University, she leads interdisciplinary efforts to ensure technology serves the public good. She is a board member to various non-profits and was named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Carolina worked and has advised governments, UN agencies, and global coalitions on digital governance, AI, and data policy—championing ethical innovation and equitable digital public infrastructure, particularly in the Global South. She co-founded two think-tanks, the Datasphere Initiative and Portulans Institute, leading groundbreaking programs. Her career spans roles at Facebook, Telefonica, Harvard’s Berman Klein Center, Wikimedia Foundation, Electronic Frontier Foundation, and she continues to shape global policy through teaching, coalition-building, and advising philanthropic organizations. |
 United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean Lika Døhl Diouf Lika Døhl Diouf works with digital technologies for development, with a focus on the Caribbean region. Based at ECLAC’s subregional headquarters for the Caribbean, she conducts research on, and provides recommendations on and training related to ICT policy, digital transformation, digital inclusion, and artificial intelligence, among other. She produces studies, policy briefs, presentations and participates in capacity-building across the Caribbean. Her work in the digital sphere is motivated by her passion for human rights, the protection of human dignity and the environment. Lika’s background is in international law, and she holds an LLB in International Law and an LLM in the Law of the Sea. |
 Internet Exchange Development Expert Russell Bean Russell has over 25 years expertise in the Telecoms sector and has lived in Panama for over 22 years. A honours graduate of Coventry University and has a Master’s degree from Swiss Business School for Science of Management and Innovation. He worked in Telcos and ISPs for many years in various engineering and operational roles ranging from the core MPLS network to home CPEs and Wifi. Now he is part of the ISOC as an Internet Exchange Development expert and looking to help the Latin and Caribbean markets develop IXPs, sustainable peering and an open Internet for all. |
 Regional Legal Expert and Legislative Drafter Tira Greene Tira Greene is a regional legal expert and legislative drafter who has led digital transformation initiatives across CARICOM and OECS Member States. She specializes in legal and regulatory reform in areas such as digital identity, e-commerce, cybersecurity, data governance, and cross-border digital services. Tira has supported public sector modernization and inclusive digital ecosystems throughout the Caribbean. She has advised national governments and regional bodies like ECTEL, the OECS Commission, and CARICOM agencies, as well as global institutions including the World Bank, UNCTAD, IDB, and ECLAC. Her work includes modernizing electronic communications laws, assessing e-commerce frameworks, and developing regional models for digital public services and data exchange. Tira is at the forefront of incorporating emerging technologies into governance frameworks, including AI, data embassies, and digital resilience mechanisms, helping shape a secure, sustainable, and cooperative digital future for the region. |
 Chief of the Caribbean Knowledge Management Centre Dale Alexander Dale Alexander is the Chief of the Caribbean Knowledge Management Centre (CKMC) at the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. He has more than 20 years of extensive experience leading policy-related engagements in ICT for Development in the Caribbean subregion, including policymaking for telecommunications sector planning, particularly for regulatory and legal frameworks. In addition, he has more than 15 years of specialist expertise in knowledge management and library automation capacity building, transforming traditional libraries into centres of knowledge. He is also an adjunct lecturer in the areas of Leadership Development and Strategic Management. Since 2021, his research focus at the CKMC has been a multi-year study on digital inclusion and public sector digital transformation in the Caribbean. He holds a PhD in Organization and Management from Capella University, and an MA in Telecommunications Regulations and Policy from the University of the West Indies. |
 Innovation Strategist and AI-governance Specialist Craig Perue Craig Perue is an innovation strategist and AI-governance specialist with two decades of experience guiding digital transformation across the Caribbean. As Senior Consultant & Research Fellow at the Mona School of Business & Management, he was a major author of Jamaica’s contribution to the Global Index on Responsible AI and spearheaded multi-million-dollar policy projects for the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica and UNESCO. A former adviser to Jamaica’s Minister of Education, he also managed the World Bank-funded Caribbean Mobile Innovation Program, serving 300 tech entrepreneurs in six countries. Craig holds an MBA (with distinction), certifications in Prosci change management, Balanced Scorecard strategy execution, and extensive training in TOGAF enterprise architecture and SAFe. His leadership earned him PMI Jamaica’s President’s Award for Advancing the Profession. Craig now consults with governments and firms on responsible AI, data governance, and end-to-end digital modernization. He brings visionary leadership and measurable impact. |
 Economic Affairs Officer Alejandro Patiño Alejandro Patiño is an Economic Affairs Officer in ECLAC’s Digital Transformation Unit, he has more than 15 years of experience in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). He has more than 20 publications in these fields in ECLAC. Alejandro holds a degree in Economics from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM) and a master’s degree in Economics and Regulation of Public Services, with a focus on Telecommunications, from the University of Barcelona. |
 Statistician in the ICT Data and Analytics Division at the International Telecommunication Union Viviana Umpierrez Viviana Umpierrez is a statistician in the ICT Data and Analytics Division at the International Telecommunication Union, focusing on the measurement and analysis of ICT indicators through household surveys and administrative data. Prior to her role at the ITU, she worked for almost 14 years at ANTEL, the government-owned telecommunications provider in Uruguay, where she started as an economist and later became the head of Economic Analysis. Her professional background also includes her work as a macroeconomic researcher at the Instituto de Economía(Institute of Economics) at the Institute of Economics at Universidad de la República. Her academic credentials include a degree in Economics from Universidad de la República and an MSc in Economics from Universidad de Montevideo, both located in Uruguay. |
 Engineer, Núcleo de Informação e Coordenação do Ponto BR Luiz Alexandre Reali Costa Responsible for the Brazilian Observatory for AI (OBIA), engineer, postgraduate in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. Entrepreneur, I worked as an executive in the telecommunications industry for 20 years, and I was involved in the early days of the internet in Brazil working at major internet providers. |
 Project Officer/Lecturer, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus Letetia Addison Letetia (pronounced Le-tee-see-ya) is a highly qualified educator, researcher, and statistician with over a decade of experience lecturing at The University of the West Indies (UWI). A Senior Fellow of the UK’s Higher Education Academy (Advance HE), she holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from The UWI. She leads award-winning, AI-powered climate resilience projects that integrate geospatial intelligence and sustainable development, including COP29’s AI Innovation Challenge-winning platform proposal, AI4SIDS. Dr. Addison serves on several advisory boards and provides global and regional mentorship in data literacy as a Women in Data Science Ambassador. Her research spans multidisciplinary data-driven modelling, AI applications in disaster risk prediction, and higher education transformation. |
 Head of Telecommunications Affairs at LACNIC. César Díaz César Díaz is currently Head of Telecommunications Affairs at LACNIC. As such, he represents LACNIC in global and regional Telecommunications and Internet Governance forums. He was responsible for the Technical Secretariat of the Latin American and Caribbean Internet Governance Forum (LACIGF). He was also part of the LACNIC Technical Forum Program Committee, where he evaluated proposed papers and presentations on topics related to cybersecurity, network interconnection, and IPv6 deployment. He was in charge of the Rapporteurship on interoperability, infrastructure, connectivity, numbering, services, and applications, including Internet and international connectivity, of Permanent Consultative Committee 1 (CCP.1) of the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission (CITEL) of the Organization of American States (OAS). Díaz is a promoter of joint actions for institutional and academic cooperation in research and community services which contribute to the approach associated with digital education for the use of ICT, IPv6 deployment, the promotion of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), and increased participation of Latin America and the Caribbean in governance issues. |
 Digital Transformation Advisor Franziska Seiffarth Franziska Seiffarth is a digital transformation advisor at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), specialised in digital development cooperation. In her role within the Strategic Alliance between ECLAC and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), she leads initiatives that strengthen biregional collaboration on digital policy, notably through the EU-LAC Digital Alliance. Franziska has worked on various cooperation programmes and has advised a wide range of institutions in the digital ecosystem, including governments, NGOs, international organisations, and the United Nations. She studied in Germany, Argentina, and France and holds an M.A. in European Studies. Passionate about Tech4Good, her work focuses on advancing access to ICT, meaningful connectivity, and innovative digital policies to foster social and economic development. |
 Coordinator of the Digital Development Observatory Valeria Jordan Valeria Jordán is the Coordinator of the Digital Development Observatory at the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). She is a specialist in digital policy, innovation, and productive development, with over two decades of experience in the analysis and design of public policies related to digital transformation in the region. She has led multiple regional initiatives to produce data and indicators that support evidence-based policymaking, applying both traditional statistical approaches and innovative methods based on data analytics. Her work has addressed key areas such as digital infrastructure, digital governance, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy. Mrs. Jordan has been actively involved in shaping the Regional Digital Agenda (eLAC), contributing to its evolution as a platform for cooperation and strategic guidance for digital development in Latin America and the Caribbean. |
 Senior Manager for Stakeholder Engagement, ICANN Albert Daniels Albert joined ICANN in 2013. He is located in Saint Lucia and is a member of ICANN’s Global Stakeholder Engagement team for Latin America and the Caribbean. As the ICANN Senior Manager for Stakeholder Engagement for the Caribbean, Albert leads engagement in 32 Caribbean Territories and also leads specialized projects in the ICANN Latin American and Caribbean Regional Strategy. Albert’s responsibilities include developing and executing the organization’s strategic and tactical objectives in the Caribbean region.Prior to working at ICANN, Albert served as an Information Systems, and Information Security Auditor; ICT Consultant at Creative Technology Solutions Limited (CTSL). He also held the position of Regional IT Manager at KPMG Eastern Caribbean, and Accounts Supervisor/IT Trainer/Group IT Director at the CHL Group in Saint Lucia. Albert served on several national Boards in Saint Lucia, and has broad internet and technology related experience having personally introduced the Internet to Saint Lucia in 1993. He has attended many ICANN meetings; and has been involved in the ICANN Fellowship program as one of the first fellows in 2007 and also as a fellowship mentor. Albert holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Information Technology and also specialized in Project Management at the University of Cambridge; he also holds several professional and industry certifications. |
 Digital Transformation Executive Emily Sasha Carrera Ron, CAF – Development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean Emily holds a degree in Geography from the Central University of Venezuela and an MBA with a specialization in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from IESA. She is a specialist in geographic information technologies, with extensive experience in developing spatial data infrastructures (SDIs), applying geographic information systems (GIS), enabling data interoperability, and leading digital transformation across productive sectors. She has completed postgraduate programs in Business Intelligence and Big Data at the Open University of Catalonia (UOC), as well as specialized training in impact investing at the University of the Andes in Colombia and in Public-Private Partnerships for infrastructure projects at CAF. Currently, she serves as a Digital Transformation Executive at CAF and is pursuing advanced studies in public-private consulting for environmental management at ECEMA, alongside a Master’s Degree in Public Management and Government Policies at CEUPE (European Business School). |
 ICT Practitioner, Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago Ryan Biran Ryan Biran is an ICT practitioner with over twenty years of progressive experience ranging from ICT policy formulation and regulation to strategic planning and implementation. Ryan is currently the Manager of the Policy, Planning and Research Department at the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT). At TATT, Ryan is responsible for the formulation of ICT policies which guide the regulation of the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors in Trinidad and Tobago. Some of the main policy areas have been on net neutrality, over-the-top technology services (OTTs), illicit streaming, amongst others. He also manages the development of the strategic plan and monitors its progress, as well as oversees the consultation process on regulatory documents for the organization. Additionally, Ryan is responsible for TATT’s digital divide/inclusion surveys which are conducted periodically to assess the extent of the digital divide and the conditions that are necessary for digital inclusion in Trinidad and Tobago. |
