Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM and Prime Minister of Grenada, the Hon. Dickon Mitchell, will preside over the 111th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on 5 December 2024, which will focus on Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Prime Minister Mitchell is the lead Head of Government for Science and Technology in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet. He will chair the meeting as the Community advances the digital resilience strategic framework approved by the Conference of Heads of Government at their 47^th Regular Meeting from 28-30 July 2024. The framework focuses on digital integration, infrastructure and connectivity, skills workforce development and capacity-building, government, e-services and sectors, and the policy regulatory environment.

On Tuesday 26 November, Member State officials and ICT lead agencies laid the groundwork for the Special Meeting. Discussions at this virtual preparatory meeting of officials, focused on the implementation of the CARICOM Single ICT Space Roadmap and Integrated Workplan; coordination and representation of the Region at international forums related to digital development; shaping strategies for 2025 and beyond, taking into account the speed of development in the digital arena; enhancing digital skills in the Region; improving connectivity; and finalising a cyber resilient strategy.

In remarks at the opening of the preparatory meeting, Amb. David Prendergast, Director, Sectoral Programmes at the CARICOM Secretariat, indicated that attention to those matters will ensure continued progress toward a robust CARICOM Single ICT Space and broader digital transformation goals.

“Together, through strategic collaboration and decisive action, we can ensure that ICT continues to illuminate the path to CARICOM’s progress”, Amb. Prendergast said.

The 111th Special Meeting of the COTED will be convened virtually.