CARICOM
CARICOM Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett says it is essential that the 15-member regional integration grouping prioritizes energy security through the renewable energy potential available in all member states.
“Energy security is no longer a distant goal; it is a regional priority that requires bold, forward-thinking deliberations and decisions,” Barnett said.
“We must invest in energy systems that empower our people and embrace the technologies that will shape our future.”
Her statement came as the region observes November as CARICOM Energy Month 2025, under the theme “Invest, Innovate, Sustain: Leading the Charge in Renewable Energy Frontiers.”
Barnett said access to affordable finance for critical climate-resilient infrastructure is therefore essential.
“Concessional financing, along with innovative mechanisms such as green bonds, is vital to attracting long-term investment in renewable energy technologies.
“Public-private partnerships are important to reduce dependence on public finances.”
“These approaches promote long-term resilience and prosperity.”
She added that the theme for CARICOM Energy Month 2025 “conveys our collective ambition, shared commitment and readiness to embrace a future where energy is clean, sustainable and a catalyst for economic resilience, social equity and regional solidarity.”
Grenada
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) states that Grenada’s short-term economic outlook remains robust, thanks to post-Beryl reconstruction and other development priority investments.
It stated that the gross domestic product (GDP) growth is projected to increase to 4.4% in 2025, compared to an estimated 3.3% in 2024, with substantial investment and construction activity offsetting the moderating impact of tourism inflows.
Headline growth will gradually taper to a more modest estimated potential rate of 2.7% by 2029, even as large infrastructure projects sustain high construction activity in the medium term.
The IMF, which has just concluded a mission to the island, stated that moderating inflation, reflecting trends in global fuel and food prices, is expected to normalize to around 2 % by 2028 gradually.
The Washington-based financial institution stated that current account deficits are projected to narrow gradually.
According to the IMF mission, Grenada’s fiscal position remains comfortable, supported by sizeable savings from the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) revenue.
Under the CBI, foreign investors are granted citizenship in return for making a substantial investment in the island’s socio-economic development.
However, the IMF noted that increased public investment, primarily reflecting Beryl-related spending, combined with more moderate non-tax revenue, is projected to result in a 2025 primary deficit of 2.8% of GDP.
Haiti
A technical assessment mission for the United Nations Support Office in Haiti has completed its work, which aims to validate the concept for establishing the UN Support Office.
UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq said that the Security Council authorized the Support Office on Sept. 30.
“As you can imagine, the purpose of this assessment mission was to move forward with this process and to validate the mission support concept for the establishment of the UN Support Office.”
Haq said a team of technical experts and planners from the Department of Operational Support, including engineers, procurement, logistics, telecommunications, and security colleagues, traveled to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
The team, alongside representatives from the Departments of Peace Operations and Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, also traveled to Washington, D.C., to work with key interlocutors.
“Throughout the mission, the team met with a variety of stakeholders to prepare for the transition of support. This included Haitian authorities, the UN Country Team, and our political mission in Haiti – BINUH.
“They also met with Dominican Republic authorities, current contractors, the Organization of American States, and member states who are supporting Haiti,” Haq said.
He added that immediately following the adoption of the Security Council resolution in September, the Department of Operational Support began its operational planning across all mandated areas to assume responsibility for full logistical support to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) by the end of March next year and to meet the six-month timeline of the mandate.
“Planning and delivery for the UN Support Office will be undertaken with strong coordination and cooperation across the UN system, also in line with the Security Council Resolution,” Haq added.
Jamaica
Minister of Entertainment Olivia Grange says her Ministry will be leading a series of fundraising concerts on the island and across the world to support Jamaica, which has been deeply affected by Hurricane Melissa.
The five concert series entitled ‘I Love Jamaica’ will feature some of the island’s best Reggae artists and musicians, as well as friends of Jamaica, with all proceeds going towards the national recovery program.
“We have been hit hard by this very powerful hurricane, which took lives and in which many of our citizens lost everything. We face a long and challenging road ahead, but we will recover and rebuild stronger with support and by working together,” said Grange.
The first I Love Jamaica concert is scheduled to take place on Nov. 14.
The Ministry is also finalising arrangements for more concerts to take place in London, New York, Toronto, and South Florida.
“As we have done so many times before, we turn to our music, our Reggae music, which has been a source of trouble and distress for not only Jamaicans, but has proven to be a healing balm and elixir at times for the world.”
The concert series is part of a wider program being led by the Ministry to build morale, lift the national spirit, and encourage volunteerism for the long recovery.
“With our culture, entertainment, sports, and religious communities, we will be reaching out to those most affected by the hurricane and mobilising volunteers to participate in the recovery program.”
Grange said her Ministry continues to work with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and other government and private-sector institutions to institute a registration process and mobilize volunteers.
St. Lucia
The St. Lucia government says it will formalize new pathways for cooperation with the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), marking what it termed “the start of a deeper partnership focused on unlocking investment and strengthening regional collaboration to advance St. Lucia’s national development agenda.”
A government statement said that as part of the new engagement, “concrete” steps have been taken to finalize St. Lucia’s incorporation as a shareholder country of CAF, and that “strategic discussions on key development priorities, from infrastructure and tourism to renewable energy, agriculture, and social development,” have taken place.
It said that these initiatives represent another step toward sustainable financing, energy transition, and regional growth, advancing the Government’s vision of a resilient and inclusive St. Lucia.
Meanwhile, CAF is inviting Caribbean countries to attend the virtual launch of the “International Economic Forum Latin America and the Caribbean 2026: How to position the region on the global stage?”
It said that the forum will take place on Jan. 28 and 29, 2026, in Panama City and that “this high-level event will be a meeting point for business leaders, influential leaders, and decision-makers to address pressing issues in Latin America and the Caribbean and discuss joint actions to drive growth, inclusion, and competitiveness in the region”.
It said that the topics discussed will focus on the 2026 macroeconomic outlook, trade and investment flows, the private sector as a driver of growth, airport infrastructure, air connectivity, and tourism; artificial intelligence for development; clean energy and energy transition; sustainable mining; and other topics that are important to the region’s development.
— Compiled by Devika Ragoonanan
