Digital Resilience Key to Caribbean Stability – Minister Vaz

Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz, has underscored that resilient digital infrastructure in the Caribbean is no longer optional but fundamental to national development, security, and economic stability.

He was speaking during the 31st staging of the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG 31) Forum, held on Tuesday (April 14), at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz, delivers remarks during the 31st staging of the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG 31) Forum, held on Tuesday (April 14) at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

Mr. Vaz emphasised the necessity of improved resilience, particularly in the face of global conflicts that often impact Caribbean nations.

“Across the world, we are seeing how modern conflicts and crises, whether geopolitical tensions or cyberthreats, are targeting the very systems that keep countries functioning, including energy, finance and telecommunications. These developments reinforce a critical reality for us in the Caribbean: though we may be geographically separated, we are deeply interconnected and not insulated from global disruptions,” he stated.

The Minister stressed that the impact of digital disruptions, both locally and regionally, becomes most evident during natural disasters, ranging from minor inconveniences to crippling effects on emergency response, economic activity, and national recovery.

“From these realities, a clear direction emerges – we must use the lessons of disruption to build systems that are resilient by design,” Mr. Vaz urged.

He noted that building digital resilience in the Caribbean will depend on practical collaboration, sustained investment, innovation, and the strengthening of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), which enhance speed, reduce costs, and ensure continuity when international links are disrupted.

Meanwhile, Minister Vaz highlighted the relevance of the CaribNOG forum, noting that the work undertaken during the three day event is critical to preparing the region to confront emerging challenges.

“The exchange of knowledge, the strengthening of partnerships and the alignment of efforts will determine how well we prepare to face both present and future challenges for the region,” he said.

The Tivoli Dance Troupe performs a cultural item during the 31st staging of the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG 31) Forum held on Tuesday (April 14) at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

Mr. Vaz called on Caribbean nations to unite around a shared vision, where “individual strengths are reinforced through collective action and where digital infrastructure is robust, secure, and future ready”.

Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) Director General, Ansord Hewitt, shared similar sentiments, noting that while digital transformation is accelerating across the Caribbean, the region’s shared vulnerabilities remain significant.

Consequently, he argued that digital resilience cannot be limited to crisis response… . “It must be continuous, deliberate, intentional, and institutional.”

Mr. Hewitt further stressed that “infrastructure alone is not enough—governance, trust, and cooperation are equally critical components of resilience”.

The three-day forum, which runs from April 14 to 16, is being hosted by the OUR in partnership with CaribNOG, under the theme ‘The Resilient Archipelago, Strengthening the Caribbean Digital Core’.

The event will convene key industry leaders, policymakers, and technical experts to address the urgent challenges confronting the region’s digital infrastructure.

Mr. Hewitt underscored the timeliness of bringing together technical and policy communities at CaribNOG, noting that the forum will play a vital role in advancing the region’s digital goals.