The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) is currently holding its XI Annual Consultation with the Governors of the countries comprising its Caribbean Country Department and the President of the Caribbean Development Bank.

The meeting, which got under way on Sunday (March 5), ends today (March 7) in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. 

This meeting marks the first official visit of new IDB president, Ilan Goldfajn, to the Caribbean.

It focuses on aligning the IDB Group’s and Caribbean countries’ priorities and enhancing partnerships to build resilience in the region.

IDB’S ANNUAL MEETING SET FOR PANAMA, STARTING MARCH 16

The IDB Group is embarking on a new phase of effective development support for Latin America and the Caribbean that seeks to achieve better social outcomes, including through greater climate resilience and enhanced sustainable digital and physical infrastructure.

This consultation aims to consolidate the IDB Group’s support for the Caribbean in preparation for its Annual Meeting in Panama from March 16 to March 19.

In his opening remarks, the IDB president called for a renewed effort to overcome the historic plagues of poverty and inequality, increasing productivity and accelerating growth – all while tackling more frequent climate events and scarce resources.

He noted that the IDB is uniquely positioned to support the Caribbean in this effort, adding: “The IDB must help the region raise to its challenges, including the more frequent and costly natural disasters, through innovative and agile ways to prepare, adapt and react.”