Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) gave the keynote address at the Third Annual Caribbean Meeting of the International Institute of Communications on February 25, 2026. Photo: Facebook

The Third Annual Caribbean Meeting of the International Institute of Communications brought together regional and international leaders. Photo: Facebook

The Third Annual Caribbean Meeting of the International Institute of Communications is being held at the Tradewinds Conference Centre at the Peter Island Resort from February 25 to 26, 2026. Photo: TRC

Hon Rymer was giving the keynote address at the Third Annual Caribbean Meeting of the International Institute of Communications (IIC) at the Tradewinds Conference Centre at Peter Island Resort from February 25 to 26, 2026. 

The two-day event is being hosted by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), bringing together regional and international leaders. 

‘We can become models for others’

Hon Rymer said candidly that being a Small Island Developing State is the “reality that shapes everything we do”. 

SIDS, he continued, face unique challenges, are geographically dispersed, vulnerable to external shocks, hurricanes, global economic shifts, pandemics, and economies of skill are limited with finite resources. 

“But here is the truth that every small island knows: our size is also our strength. We are agile, we can pivot quickly, we can build consensus, we can experiment and adapt in ways that larger nations cannot, and when we get it right, we can become models for others facing similar challenges.”

Hon Rymer said the meeting’s theme, ‘Caribbean FutureScapes: Regulation at the Intersection of Technology, Tourism and Finance’, is where the small island advantage can shine the brightest. 

Conference Spotlight

The conference, according to IIC, is spotlighting the evolving regulatory realities shaping the region’s digital future.

A key area of emphasis is the Caribbean’s connectivity backbone, including the strategic value of submarine cable systems and landing stations. 

Discussions are focusing on:

• Positioning the Caribbean as a secure digital vault: How nations can strategically leverage connectivity infrastructure, data hubs, submarine cables, and innovative regulatory models to strengthen resilience, attract investment, and enhance regional competitiveness.
• AI as a “regulator of regulators”: Innovation, oversight, accountability frameworks, and the future of Caribbean governance in an AI-driven era.
• Universal connectivity by 2040: Strategies to close the digital divide through affordability, inclusive access, policy reform, and sustainable universal service initiatives.
• Innovation, tourism, and climate resilience in a hyperconnected region: Leveraging smart technologies to improve service delivery while safeguarding critical infrastructure and business continuity.
• LEO/MEO systems: Competition considerations, resilience benefits, licensing approaches, and regulatory implications for satellite-based connectivity across the Caribbean.
• 5G across the Caribbean: Lessons learned, spectrum planning, infrastructure readiness, cybersecurity requirements, and pathways for future deployments.
• Financial services in a digital era: Security, compliance, consumer trust, and enabling innovation through fintech, digital payments, and evolving regulatory safeguards.
• Resilient by design: Strengthening Caribbean communications networks against climate change through redundancy, standards, emergency coordination, and disaster recovery planning.

The meeting, initially scheduled to take place in Jamaica, was moved to the VI following the devastation caused to Jamaica by Hurricane Melissa in 2025.