Against a backdrop of growing global economic and financial volatility, the 66th Meeting of CARICOM Central Bank Governors gathered this week in Belize, bringing together regional monetary leaders to address shared challenges and advance collective growth. Among the participants was Ronald Gabriel, Governor of the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH), who joined the hybrid-format gathering to contribute to discussions that hold major stakes for small and developing economies across the Caribbean.
This year’s meeting centered on a defining priority for the region: strengthening economic resilience while advancing coordinated, collaborative action across member states. Participants emphasized that in an era of interconnected global shocks, regional solidarity is not just a strategic advantage, but an essential tool to tackle overlapping economic challenges and lay the groundwork for long-term, widespread stability across the Caribbean.
For Haiti, the outcomes of these discussions carry particular urgency. Fragile economies like Haiti’s bear the brunt of external pressures that have rippled across global markets in recent years, from escalating geopolitical tensions and volatile energy price swings to persistent inflationary spikes. These shocks disproportionately harm low-income and vulnerable populations, making coordinated regional support and policy alignment even more critical for the country’s ongoing efforts to stabilize its economy.
Attendees reaffirmed three core pillars of regional progress: deepened cross-border cooperation, enhanced financial integration, and a unified collective voice to advocate for the unique interests of small island and developing economies within global financial and governance institutions. The meeting also featured detailed conversations on three high-priority initiatives: the ongoing development of the CARICOM Payment and Settlement System, the digital transformation of regional financial services, and improving interoperability between national payment infrastructures. These talks reflect a shared regional ambition to build a Caribbean financial ecosystem that is more modern, seamlessly connected, and robust enough to withstand future shocks.
Speaking on behalf of Haiti’s central bank, Governor Gabriel reaffirmed the BRH’s long-term commitment to advancing the region’s collective goals. Domestically, the institution continues to advance key priorities including payment system modernization, expanded financial inclusion for underserved communities, and targeted support for priority economic sectors — all to advance sustainable macroeconomic stability and more inclusive development across Haiti. Gabriel’s full remarks from the meeting are available for public download as a French-language PDF via the HaitiLibre official website.