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In person · Blue economy

Caribbean Blue Economy Summit

From Small Island Developing States to Large Ocean States

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 AUA Conference Center, St John's

Convening heads of state, ministers of finance and global ocean capital to chart the Caribbean's transition from Small Island Developing States to Large Ocean States. Inaugural edition, hosted by the Ministry of the Blue Economy of Antigua & Barbuda.

Themes: Large Ocean States, Sustainable ocean finance, Marine science, Climate-resilient infrastructure, CARICOM Ocean Policy, Maritime Logistics & Port Modernization, Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture, Ocean Renewables, Coastal Resilience & Blue Carbon, Marine Biotechnology, High-Value Sustainable Tourism

Contact: info@cbes26.com

Agenda

  1. 01

    Patron's Welcome

    Day One · 22 October · 08:30 — Convening · Office of the Prime Minister, Antigua & Barbuda

  2. 02

    From Small Island Developing States to Large Ocean States

    Day One · 22 October · 09:00 — Keynote

    Hon. Anthony Shamari Smith Jr.

  3. 03

    The CARICOM Ocean Policy in Practice

    Day One · 22 October · 10:30 — Plenary · CARICOM Secretariat

  4. 04

    Sovereign Frameworks for Ocean Capital

    Day One · 22 October · 13:30 — Investment · Ministry of Finance · IDB · World Bank

  5. 05

    Maritime Security & the Blue Corridor

    Day One · 22 October · 15:30 — Workshop · Regional Security System

  6. 06

    Heads of Delegation Reception

    Day One · 22 October · 18:30 — Reception · Government of Antigua & Barbuda

  7. 07

    Antigua's Blue Economy Pipeline

    Day Two · 23 October · 08:30 — Briefing · Antigua & Barbuda Investment Authority

  8. 08

    Financing the Blue Future: Bonds, Swaps, Guarantees

    Day Two · 23 October · 09:30 — Plenary · Bridgetown Initiative Working Group

  9. 09

    Sector Roundtables with Investment Promotion Agencies

    Day Two · 23 October · 11:30 — Breakouts · Rotating Caribbean IPAs

  10. 10

    Project Pitches: Bankable Blue Opportunities

    Day Two · 23 October · 14:00 — Showcase · Curated Operator Cohort

  11. 11

    The Antigua Declaration on the Caribbean Blue Economy

    Day Two · 23 October · 16:00 — Declaration · CARICOM Heads of Delegation

Speakers

  • Hon. Gaston Browne
    Prime Minister; Patron & Convener · Government of Antigua & Barbuda
  • Hon. Anthony Shamari Smith Jr.
    Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries & the Blue Economy; Host Chair · Ministerial Convener · Government of Antigua & Barbuda

Partners

Host and convener

  • Government of Antigua & Barbuda

Convener

  • Ministry of the Blue Economy

Hosted by

Ministry of the Blue Economy · Antigua & Barbuda