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Caribbean Coastal Conference 2024
Achieving Balance:
Developing & Preserving
Caribbean Coastlines
9-11 December 2024
Kingston, Jamaica
The conference is being hosted by Caribbean Development Bank in collaboration with World Bank Group, Coastal Zone Management Unit (Barbados), National Environment and Planning Agency (Jamaica), the Department of Environment, Cayman Islands, and Smith Warner International Limited (Jamaica)
About the Conference
From 9-11 December 2024, Kingston, Jamaica will be the meeting point for experts, policy makers, scientists, and other stakeholders to explore the delicate balance between development and preservation of the Caribbean’s coastlines.
This conference addresses the urgent need to tackle coastal management challenges in the region, from preserving biodiversity to climate change resilience and economic sustainability.
Our sessions will delve into critical topics such as social resilience, shoreline planning, financing options for climate protection, coastal governance, public beach access, and the blue economy. By formulating and refining policies tailored to the unique challenges of our coastal regions, we can make steps to ensure their resilience, prosperity, and environmental integrity.
Now more than ever, this initiative is crucial for driving sustainable development along our coastlines. Join the conversation and let's achieve balance for the future of the region.
This conference will focus on four major themes:
Shoreline Planning for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
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Social resilience for coastal communities: capacity building and community engagement; exploring/solving social and gender vulnerabilities in coastal communities
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Science and technology innovations for coastal management
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Physical resilience - hard and soft shoreline protection strategies including nature-based solutions
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Major coastal projects in the Caribbean (lightning talks)
Financing Options for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
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Financing requirements and funding options for climate change protection
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“Loss and damage” and the opportunities for SIDS
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The role of risk transfer and insurance in a changing climate
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Exploring the potential for blue carbon credits
Coastal Governance
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Regulatory frameworks for effective coastal management: island to island
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Beach access
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Decision-making: incorporating economic considerations into processes
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Marine protected areas and coastal parks
The Blue Economy
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Methods for valuing coastal resources
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Sustainable fisheries and opportunities for alternative livelihoods
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Sustainable tourism and development - what's appropriate and where?
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Evaluating the social and environmental impacts of coastal development
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Coexisting with nature: the sargassum invasion
Schedule
We are close to confirming all of our speakers as outlined below. The schedule might change slightly but we expect to have it finalised by mid-September.
Monday, December 9, 2024
Day 1 Morning: Blue Economy
9:00 AM
Welcome and opening remarks
CDB Representative
9:15 AM
Keynote Address
Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, Minister of Economic Growth and Job Creation
9:35 AM
The role of science, policy and economics in coastal planning
Dr Peter Edwards, Officer, The Pew Charitable Trusts
9:55 AM
Community tourism
Diana McIntyre Pike, President, Jamaica Community Tourism
10:15 AM
The sargassum invasion: what we know so far
Dr Mona Webber, Head of Department & Professor, Marine Ecology, University of the West Indies, Mona
10:45 AM
Break
11:00 AM
TBA
TBA
11:30 AM
Sustainable fisheries
Dr Gavin Bellamy, CEO, National Fisheries Authority, Jamaica
12:00 PM
The sargassum invasion: what is being done now?
Philip Warner, Director of Quality, Smith Warner International Ltd
12:30 - 1:30 PM
Lunch & networking / Poster Presentations
Day 1 Afternoon: Coastal Governance
1:30 PM
Regulatory frameworks for effective coastal management
Alana Lancaster - Lecturer in Law, Head - Environmental Law, Ocean Governance and Climate Justice Unit, Faculty of Law, UWI, Cave Hill
2:00 PM
Marine protected areas and coastal parks
National Environment and Planning Agency, Jamaica
2:20 PM
Integrating economic, environmental and social considerations in decision-making
Dr Lorna Inniss, Head IOC-UNESCO Regional Secretariat for IOCARIBE
2:40 PM
TORs for coastal projects around the Caribbean
Jamel Banton, CEO, Smith Warner International Ltd.
3:00 PM
Break
3:30 PM
Panel discussion: Finding Balance - Development and Social Inclusion - Beach Access
Moderator: Krishna Desai, Partner at Myers, Fletcher and Gordon
Dr Leo Brewster, Director, Coastal Zone Management Unit, Barbados
TBA
4:30 PM
Closing remarks
Dr David Smith, Director of Research, Innovation & Brand, Smith Warner International Ltd.
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Day 2 Morning: Shoreline Planning for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
9:00 AM
Introduction of morning session and presenters
MC
9:45 AM
Physical resilience - hard and soft shoreline protection strategies
TBA
9:15 AM
Social resilience - exploring and addressing social and gender vulnerabilities in coastal communities
Dr. Paulette Bynoe - Senior Lecturer, University of Guyana (Community-based DRM)
10:25 AM
Break
10:45 AM
Scientific and technological innovations for coastal management
M Guishard, COO Bermuda Institute - TOPIM - University of the West Indies and the National University of Ireland Maynooth
11:15 AM
Lightning Talks
1. Coastal Hazard Vulnerability Project Dominica
2.
Gabrielle Abraham, Smith Warner International Limited
11:30 AM
Trinidad & Tobago's Comprehensive National Coastal Monitoring Programme - Leveraging Data Science inStrategic Decision Making
Nazeer Gopaul, Director/Physical Oceanogrpaher, Coastal Dynamics Limited
11:45 AM
Panel discussion: Finding Balance - Development, coastal protection & the role of regulators
Moderator: TBA
Dr Leo Brewster, Director, Coastal Zone Management Unit, Barbados
DoE Cayman Islands
NEPA Jamaica
TBA
12:30 - 1:30 PM
Lunch & networking / Poster Presentations
Day 2 Afternoon: Financing for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
1:30 PM
Introduction of afternoon session and presentors
MC
1:35 PM
Loss and Damage and opportunities for SIDS
Sasha Jattansingh, Loss and Damage Expert, Climate Analytics Caribbean
2:05 PM
Exploring financing options for climate change adaptation and resilience building
Caribbean Development Bank
2:25 PM
Presentation
TBA
2:55 PM
Break
3:10 PM
The role of risk transfer and insurance in a changing climate
Elizabeth Emanuel, Technical Assistance Manager, CCRIF SPC
3:40 PM
TBA
Karen McDonald Gayle, CEO, Caribbean Biodiversity Fund
4:10 PM
Panel discussion: Finding Balance - Financing for disaster recovery and proactive climate/disaster risk mitigation
Moderator: TBA
Caribbean Development Bank
Omar Sweeney, Managing Director, Jamaica Social Investment Fund
TBA
5:10 PM
Closing remarks
CDB Representative
5:30 PM
Closing reception
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
We are offering two options, but availability will depend on the number of people interested:
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Field trip to Ocho Rios Fishermen's Village for a mix of site visit (integrating tourism and fishing), food available for purchase, and shopping or just hanging at the beach.
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Tour of the Port Royal Street Revetment works at Kingston's waterfront as well as an art walk in downtown Kingston (food available for purchase).
Speakers
Details coming soon!!
Sponsors
Our sincere appreciation goes out to our sponsors for their continued commitment and support.
Conference Venue
Accommodations
The AC Hotel by Marriott is offering a discount on room rates of USD 40.00 per night for conference attendees.
There are multiple hotels within a 15-20 minute walk distance or a short cab/Uber ride away. The larger hotels are highlighted on the map below.