CDB Podcasts

When it comes to natural disasters and climate change impacts, the Caribbean is on the front line and the challenges are multi-faceted.

In this episode, we’re joined by colleagues from the European Union to discuss how the EU and the Caribbean Development Bank are working together to build the Caribbean’s resilience to natural disasters through programmes such as CARE – Caribbean Action for Resilience Enhancement.

After two of the most economically challenging and disruptive years in recent history, what lies ahead for Caribbean economies in 2022? According to Director of the Economics Department at CDB, Ian Durant – it will be the 3 Rs – Recovery, Risk and Resilience.

In the latest episode of our podcast series, these were the key messages he shared about what we can expect, what we have to look out for and what we need to pursue as economies in the Region and around the world try to emerge from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CDB Director also discussed the 2022 economic projections for the Region, the 2021 economic performance and what these will mean in real terms for the average Caribbean person.

In this episode, we’re going deeper on the issue of climate resilience. Climate change presents one of the most critical development challenges for the Caribbean which is already one of the most climate vulnerable regions in the world.
During CDB’s 51st Annual Meeting, a high-level panel of experts and leaders shared recommendations on how the Caribbean can continue to advance climate action even amidst a global economy radically reshaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion came during our seminar entitled ‘Climate Action in a Post-COVID-19 Environment’.

In this episode, we’re focusing on insights on innovation and resilience.

CDB President, Dr Gene Leon, in his inaugural address to Annual Meeting of the Bank's Board of Governors, outlined a framework for how the Caribbean can drive progress in innovation through KIDS – which stands for Knowledge, Innovation Diagnostics, and Strategies.

In this episode, we examine the unique challenges which the Caribbean faces when it comes to accessing concessional financing, the impact of climate change on our development needs and explore solutions.
This episode features Prime Minister of Barbados, the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P. in conversation with CDB President Dr Gene Leon, a dialogue which was moderated by Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Timothy Antoine. It was recorded at the second edition of The President’s Chat, a dialogue forum from CDB which brings thought leaders and decision makers together to discuss issues of regional significance.

(This episode was previously recorded in May 2019.)

From reggae to Rihanna, carnivals to compas, the Caribbean is a region of cultural dynamism and creativity. However, when it comes to making money from its creative industries (CI) sector, the Region lags behind the world. In 2018, the Caribbean Development Bank launched its Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF) to help the Region build a globally competitive CI sector. CDB Director of Projects Daniel Best, CIIF Coordinator Dr. Marielle Barrow and Lisa Harding, Coordinator of Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Development, discuss what the Caribbean needs to do to be able to capitalise on its immense creativity.