Caribbean Policy Forum
Ideas. Debate. Solutions for the Caribbean.
The Caribbean Policy Forum is a place for serious public discussion of regional policy. Each brief sets out a challenge facing the Caribbean, recommendations offered for debate, and questions for readers. The aim is a measured exchange: ideas, evidence and practical options.
Choose a topic below. Comments under each brief are read by the Kingston Mouth editorial team and appear only after they have been approved. Please keep contributions civil, relevant and in good faith.
Regional Integration
CARICOM cooperation, the Single Market and Economy, and deeper regional institutions.
001 Strengthening CARICOM Integration in an Era of Global Uncertainty
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) faces growing economic, environmental, and geopolitical challenges. Climate change, food insecurity, migration pressures, technological disruption, and shifts in global trade require a more coordinated regional response. While CARICOM has achieved notable successes in facilitating regional cooperation, progress toward deeper economic and political integration remains uneven. This policy brief argues that strengthening regional institutions, reducing trade barriers, and accelerating digital integration are essential to improving the Caribbean's resilience and competitiveness.
Climate & Resilience
Climate change, disaster preparedness, and building a more resilient Caribbean.
002 Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness: Building a More Resilient Caribbean
Climate change represents one of the greatest threats to the economic stability, social wellbeing, and environmental sustainability of the Caribbean. Although Small Island Developing States (SIDS) contribute approximately 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, they are among the regions most exposed to stronger hurricanes, sea-level rise, coastal erosion, flooding, droughts, and heatwaves. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), climate-related damages in the Caribbean could exceed 20% of regional GDP by 2100 without significant adaptation measures.
Digital & Technology
Digital access, connectivity, artificial intelligence, and the regional digital economy.
003 Data Snapshot: Caribbean Digital Access and Connectivity
Internet penetration has expanded significantly across the Caribbean over the past decade, with many countries achieving connectivity rates above 70%. Access remains uneven, however, particularly in rural communities and among lower-income households. Mobile broadband is the primary means of internet access for most households, while small businesses still face challenges obtaining affordable high-speed broadband. Building a Caribbean Digital Single Market—with interoperable payments, harmonised data rules, and universal broadband—is essential to regional competitiveness in an age of e-commerce, remote work, and artificial intelligence.
007 Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economies: Preparing the Caribbean for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming economies, industries, and societies at an unprecedented pace. From healthcare and education to finance, agriculture, tourism, and public administration, AI has the potential to improve productivity, create new economic opportunities, and enhance public services. For the Caribbean, AI offers a unique opportunity to overcome traditional constraints of geography and market size by building a competitive digital economy centred on knowledge, innovation, and human capital. Realising these benefits will require strategic investments in digital infrastructure, workforce development, governance frameworks, and regional cooperation.
Economy & Tourism
Sustainable tourism development and the renewable energy transition.
004 Tourism Development: Creating a Sustainable and Competitive Caribbean Tourism Industry
Tourism remains the lifeblood of many Caribbean economies, generating employment, foreign exchange earnings, and investment. However, the industry faces increasing challenges from climate change, global economic uncertainty, shifting consumer preferences, and growing competition from emerging destinations. To maintain its position as one of the world's premier tourism regions, the Caribbean must diversify its tourism product, embrace sustainability, strengthen regional cooperation, and leverage digital technologies to enhance visitor experiences.
006 Renewable Energy: Powering a Sustainable Caribbean Future
The Caribbean faces a persistent energy challenge. Despite abundant sunshine, wind, geothermal potential, and marine resources, many countries remain heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels for electricity generation. This dependence contributes to some of the highest electricity costs in the world, exposes economies to volatile global oil prices, and increases vulnerability to external shocks. Renewable energy offers a pathway to greater energy security, lower electricity costs, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable economic growth.
Security
Crime, citizen security, and safer communities across the Caribbean.
005 Crime and Citizen Security: Building Safer Communities Across the Caribbean
Crime and insecurity remain among the most significant barriers to sustainable development in the Caribbean. While the region is known worldwide for its natural beauty, cultural diversity, and tourism appeal, several Caribbean nations continue to experience high levels of violent crime, organised criminal activity, gang violence, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and youth involvement in criminal networks. Citizen security is not solely a law enforcement issue. It is fundamentally linked to education, economic opportunity, community development, social inclusion, and effective governance.
Foreign Relations
Caribbean relations with the United States, China, Latin America, the European Union and the United Kingdom.
008 Caribbean Relations with the United States, China, Latin America, the European Union and the United Kingdom
The Caribbean occupies a strategically important position between North America, Latin America, and the Atlantic world. While relatively small in population and economic size, Caribbean nations possess significant geopolitical importance due to their location, maritime routes, natural resources, tourism industries, and voting influence in international organisations. As global competition intensifies among major powers, Caribbean governments must pursue a balanced foreign policy that protects sovereignty, strengthens economic development, attracts investment, and advances regional interests.