International and regional energy sector leaders will share recommendations and insights on energy security, the role for renewable energy and how it all relates to the drive towards net zero carbon emissions, at the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB’s) upcoming 52nd Annual Meeting.

The high-level discussion will come on June 3 during the second seminar of the CDB’s Annual Meeting, which is being held both virtually and in-person in the Turks and Caicos Islands this year.

The seminar ‘What Do the Global Sustainable Development And Net-Zero Agendas Mean for the Caribbean’s Energy Transition’ will feature perspectives from government ministers in both net energy importing and net energy exporting Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) of CDB and officials from regional and international renewable energy agencies.

In addition to considerations about reducing carbon emissions to slow down climate change, the seminar will examine the Caribbean’s energy security, particularly the high cost of operating in the current environment where much of the Region is heavily dependent on imported fossil fuel products.

Panelists will be Dominica’s Minister for Planning, Economic Development, Climate Resilience, Sustainable Development, and Renewable Energy Hon. Dr Vince Henderson, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Hon. Stuart Young, Chief Executive Officer of Soleco and developer of Jamaica’s largest solar farm, Angella Rainford and Chairman of the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum, Jerry Butler.

They will be joined by Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Francesco La Camera who will deliver a keynote address to kick of the seminar. La Camera’s address will provide the global perspective on the impetus towards achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the critical targets that need to be met by 2030 and what are the various renewable energy pathways that exist to be able to meet them.

The seminar will be streamed live on CDB’s Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube platforms, starting at 10:00 am (AST).