Telecoms, climate change take centre stage at CANTO

In the wake of Hurricane Beryl’s devastating impact on the Caribbean, the critical importance of robust telecommunications infrastructure and reliable data access was highlighted at the opening of CANTO’s 39th Annual Trade Exhibition and Conference in Miami.

Jamaica’s Minister of Telecommunications Daryl Vaz, who delivered the feature address at Sunday’s opening ceremony, just days after Beryl made landfall in Jamaica, emphasised the urgency of the region’s climate crisis. “The Caribbean is on the front lines of the global climate crisis, facing significant and immediate impacts that threaten the region’s environment, economy, and way of life,” he said.

He stressed the need for proactive and coordinated action: “Resilience and adaptive capacity are vital in the face of climate change. By embracing innovative solutions, fostering collaboration, and committing to sustainable practices, we can safeguard our islands for future generations. If we really want to survive and thrive, the time for talk is over and now is the time for action. We must walk the walk.”

The conference, themed Towards a Sustainable Digital Economy, is being headlined by C&W Communications, operators of Flow, Flow Business, C&W Business, and BTC. Senior Director and Head of Communications at C&W Communications Marilyn Sealy remarked on the timeliness of the event: “As we gather in the wake of Hurricane Beryl, we are reminded of the immense challenges that natural disasters pose to our region, but also of the resilience and solidarity that define the Caribbean spirit.”

Sealy added: “As a leading provider of digital connectivity solutions across the region, this year’s theme resonates deeply with the core values and mission of C&W Communications. We recognize the transformational role that technology plays in driving sustainable development, social inclusion, and economic growth.”

The annual event brings together regional heads of state and government, regulators, telecom operators, and other key stakeholders to network, build alliances, review policy, and share best practices related to the regional telecoms sector.

C&W Communications will host several discussions and events during the conference, focusing on topics such as digital sustainability and education, cybersecurity, sustainable infrastructure development, investment challenges in digital sustainability, strategies for equitable access to broadband services, and empowering an inclusive digital economy.

Featured speakers from the company include Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Kerry Scott, Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer, Liberty Latin America (the parent company of C&W Communications); John Winter, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, LLA; Sameer Bhatti, Chief Executive Officer, Bahamas Telecommunications Company Limited (BTC); Nicolas Collette, Chief Commercial Officer, Business Markets; and Sebastian Kaplan, Vice President-Government Affairs, Liberty Latin America, among others.

CANTO is a non-profit association comprising operators, organisations, companies, and individuals focused on leading the information and communications technology (ICT) sector across the Caribbean region and the Americas.

(PR)