Historic meeting of CDB governors

The Governments and people of the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) 19 borrowing member countries (BMCs) are expected to learn soon of the new CDB president’s roadmap for the region’s development.

That is when the Barbados-headquartered financial institution hosts its 51st annual meeting of governors, scheduled for June 15 to July 1 and will be the bank’s second virtual annual session of governors.

In what is expected to be among the marquee events of the Governors’ Meeting will be the presence of three former CDB presidents, who will join the bank’s recently appointed President Dr Hyginus “Gene” Leon, for a Presidents’ Chat forum.

Also expected to be a part of this historic session will be Dr William Warren Smith who was president between 2011 and 2021; Dr Compton Bourne, who headed the bank between 2001 and 2011; and Sir Neville Nicholls, who presided over the institution between 1988 and 2001.

Anchored on the theme “Innovation, Transformation and Sustainable Development”, the conference will also include seminars, discussion fora, keynote presentations and business meetings.

It will also showcase the scope and impact of the bank’s investments in and assistance to the BMCs.

Another highlight of the annual event is the William G. Demas Memorial Lecture, which will be this year, delivered by Professor of Economics and Innovation Dr Mariana Mazzucato.

She will speak on the topic “Rethinking Innovation: Reimagining the Future”, as she outlines how small island developing states can rethink their approach to innovation to build more resilient and competitive economies.

Given the impact which the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the region, this global shock will be in focus when some of the Caribbean’s thought leaders from academia, business and government come together to examine, Reimagining the Caribbean in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The panel will include Gregory Bowen, Minister of Communications, Works, Physical Development, Public Utilities, ICT and Community Development (Grenada); Nigel Clarke, Minister of Finance and the Public Service (Jamaica); Timothy Antoine, Governor, Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and Senator Don Wehby, Chief Executive Officer, GraceKennedy Group (Jamaica). (IMC1)