The inaugural UK Caribbean Infrastructure Conference will be hosted by St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the Beachcombers Hotel from November 20 to 24, 2023. Under the theme “Building Resilience for All,” the conference is a collaborative effort with the UK government and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
The event will bring together over 50 delegates from eight Caribbean countries and one UK overseas territory to engage in discussions about the infrastructure projects funded by the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF). It aims to explore the successes and glean lessons from 13 transformational infrastructure initiatives in the Caribbean, particularly those that emphasize inclusivity, safety, resilience, and sustainability.
Key highlights of the conference will include capacity-building sessions on regulations, standards, and best practices for climate-resilient infrastructure, delivered by experts from the UK’s Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) and the British Standards Institute (BSI). Prominent figures such as Mr. Isaac Solomon, Vice President of Operations at CDB, His Excellency Scott Furssedonn-Wood, British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, and Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, are scheduled to deliver remarks.
The conference agenda also features focused sessions on disability inclusion and the involvement of women and youth in construction. Delegates will have the opportunity to visit the Kingstown Port Modernisation Project, a key recipient of UKCIF grant funding. An official Welcome Reception is set to kick off the conference, hosted by the British High Commission and the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the Coconut Grove Beach Club.
This conference is poised to enhance the network of infrastructure professionals and advance the development of resilient and inclusive infrastructure throughout the Caribbean. It is supported by the UKCIF, a £350 million grant program from the UK Government, managed by the CDB, to promote economic growth and climate resilience in the region.
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