At the pivotal Latin America and Caribbean International Economic Forum 2026, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) President Daniel M. Best articulated a compelling vision for accelerated regional progress through strengthened South-South collaboration. The high-level gathering in Panama City, attracting over 6,500 delegates from 70 nations, became the staging ground for a strategic reassessment of Global South partnerships.
Mr. Best emphasized the critical importance of forging more deliberate transatlantic connections between Caribbean, Latin American, and African nations. ‘Africa represents the world’s fastest-growing region,’ Best noted during his address. ‘Beyond our profound historical and cultural linkages, tremendous opportunities exist for mutual learning and crafting a cohesive developmental pathway for our populations.’
The CDB president detailed concrete institutional efforts to transform this vision into reality through innovative financial mechanisms. Current initiatives include developing a multi-guarantor debt swap facility and establishing new credit lines specifically designed for Caribbean nations. These efforts are being advanced through strategic partnerships with CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).
Dr. Stacy Richards-Kennedy, CAF’s Regional Manager for the Caribbean, reinforced this collaborative imperative, stating: ‘Our engagements demonstrate the power of regional partnerships in mobilizing capital, addressing development gaps, and promoting inclusive growth. By combining our expertise and financial resources, we can effectively assist the Caribbean in meeting its development challenges.’
The forum’s discussions extended across multiple development sectors, with particular focus on regional integration, trade facilitation, artificial intelligence applications, energy transition strategies, and competitiveness enhancement. The overarching objective remained transforming regional vulnerabilities into strategic global leadership through coordinated action and innovative financing solutions.
Parallel to the main events, CDB representatives conducted substantive dialogues with regional policymakers and development partners to explore pioneering financing approaches aimed at accelerating infrastructure development, reducing inequality, and supporting inclusive economic growth throughout the Caribbean region.