BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC—The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) said Monday that its 55th annual meeting of the Board of Governors (BOG) will mark a renewed drive to build resilient institutions, improve collaboration between countries, and increase private sector partnerships to create a stronger Caribbean.
The BOG will be held in Brazil from June 9 to 12 this year under the theme “Building the Future: Resilient Institutions for a Greener, Stronger, and Inclusive Caribbean.”
Speaking at the launch of the official logo for the meeting, newly elected CDB President Daniel Best said that the meeting’s focus will underscore the region’s premier financial institution’s commitment to transforming lives in the Caribbean by enabling resilient institutions to drive sustainable development.
“The theme for this year’s Annual Meeting represents our collective ambition and commitment to respond to the critical challenges facing our people by reimagining how we make our institutions more fit for purpose,” Best told the ceremony.
“Brazil’s choice as our host is significant. Brazil’s extensive experience and innovation culture allow us to deepen our cooperation and leverage Latin America’s strengths to support the Caribbean’s development agenda.
“Our discussions in Brasília will center on actionable and transformational strategies, highlighting the “rebirth” of the Bank as it evolves to meet the changing needs of its member countries amidst rapidly shifting global and multilateral paradigms. Our goal is to create institutions that can withstand external pressures while paving the way for equitable prosperity,” Best added.
The BOG is the highest level of leadership guiding the institution. Brazil, one of CDB’s Latin American members, is hosting the meeting for the first time.
Brazil’s Deputy Secretary for International Affairs and Development, Viviane Vecchi Mendes Muller, chairing the BOG, told the launch that the meeting’s agenda will advance shared regional priorities, address climate change, deepen private sector engagement, and enhance multilateral partnerships.
“The focus of the 55th annual meeting aligns closely with Brazil’s vision for regional cooperation and CDB’s mission. Brazil values its relations with the region and acknowledges the importance of keeping our countries connected.
“It is well known that Brazil has also been championing, designing, and implementing programs for social inclusion, with a focus on food and nutritional security. We are well aware of the challenges brought by climate change on all of those fronts.
“I’m confident that CDB’s ongoing efforts to enhance institutional strength and resilience will benefit both the Bank and its member countries,” Vecchi Mendes Muller said.
She said that the meeting theme also presents a valuable opportunity to link discussions to the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), which Brazil will host in November.
“We are convinced this meeting will strengthen the CDB’s resilience and deepen the ties between Brazil and the Caribbean. We look forward to welcoming you to Brasília,” she added.
The CDB said that the BOG meeting will facilitate knowledge-sharing, networking, and informative forums for policy development and decision-making. The full agenda will be released in the coming months.
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