The Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF) Awards recently honoured outstanding achievements in infrastructure development across the Caribbean. 

Hosted by New Energy Events, with co-title sponsors CIBC and KMPG, recognised the Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, with the Infrastructure Leadership MVP Award, the highest honor of the ceremony.

Mottley was celebrated for her instrumental role in advancing sustainable and resilient infrastructure across Barbados and the wider Caribbean.

Her bold vision has guided initiatives such as Barbados’ commitment to achieving 100 per cent renewable energy generation by 2030, completing the world’s first debt swap for climate resilience, and the finalisation of the Bridgetown Initiative 3.0, which calls for urgent and decisive action to reform international financial architecture.

Senior Cabinet Minister Dr William Duguid accepted the award on her behalf.

He said, “Prime Minister Mottley is deeply honoured and humbled to receive this award on behalf of the work that she does. She was born for the job. She has always been driven, always been a leader, and has always had her heart in the right place to take Barbados forward every single day. We are proud to have her as the Prime Minister of Barbados and as a visionary for us.”

The award for Most Innovative Project was presented to Tesla Inc. for the Puerto Rico Virtual Power Plant. Special mention was given to the Petronella Solar Farm Project by the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority and the Pierhead Barbados Project from the Government of Barbados Office of Infrastructure and Planning.

The Most Innovative Financing Award was presented to the Caribbean Resilient Renewable Energy Infrastructure Investment Facility, developed by the World Bank and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. This initiative, the first of its kind in the Caribbean, has mobilised more than US$150 million to support renewable energy, storage, and grid upgrades in Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The CARIF Awards, which were held during the CARIF two-day event programme, highlighted the importance of innovation, regional cooperation, and private sector partnerships. The awardees underscored the importance of a shared vision for a stronger Caribbean built on sustainable energy, robust infrastructure, and the leadership of those committed to delivering long-term resilience. CIBC has supported CARIF since its inception in 2016.