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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, Smith Warner International Limited (Jamaica), Coastal Zone Management Unit (Barbados), National Environment and Planning Agency (Jamaica), and the Department of Environment, Cayman Islands.
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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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
Monday, December 9, 2024
Day 1 Morning: Blue Economy
Welcome and opening remarks
Valerie Isaac, Caribbean Development Bank
Keynote Address
Hon. Matthew Samuda, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (with responsibility for Water, Environment, Climate Change, and Blue and Green Economies)
The Blue Economy: Identifying the Growth & Unrealized Development Potential
Tommy Descartes, Economist, CDB
Blue Economy - Experience in SIDS
Lilia Burunciuc, Country Director, World Bank
Community tourism
Diana McIntyre Pike, President, Jamaica Community Tourism
Break
Coexisting with Nature: Understanding Sargassum
Dr Mona Webber, Marine Ecology, University of the West Indies, Mona
Managing Sargassum - Roundtable
Moderated by Patrick Smytzek & Etienne Kechichian (World Bank)
Sustainable fisheries
Dr Gavin Bellamy, CEO, National Fisheries Authority, Jamaica
Lunch & networking / Poster Presentations
Day 1 Afternoon: Coastal Governance
Regulatory frameworks for effective coastal management
Alana Lancaster, Faculty of Law, UWI, Cave Hill
Marine protected areas and coastal parks
Lessons learned - Bridging the gap between development & regulation
Hugarcia Green, Cooordinator, Protected Areas Branch, National Environment and Planning Agency, Jamaica
Jamel Banton, CEO, Smith Warner International Ltd.
Case Study: TCI Shoreline management plan
TCI Representative TBA
Break
Beach access (legal perspective)
Dr Marcus Goffe, JaBBEM
Panel discussion: Development and Social Inclusion - Beach Access
Moderator: Krishna Desai, Partner at Myers, Fletcher and Gordon
Dr Marcus Goffe, JaBBEM
Dr Leo Brewster, Director, Coastal Zone Management Unit, Barbados
Mr Robin Russell, President, Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association
TBA
Wrap up Day 1
Zayid Alleyne, Caribbean Development Bank
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Day 2 Morning: Shoreline Planning for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
Recap of Day 1
Julian McBarnette, Caribbean Development Bank
Applying climate data & information for planning & decision-making in coastal areas
Dr Michael Taylor, Climate Studies Group, Mona, UWI
Social resilience - exploring & addressing social & gender vulnerabilities in coastal communities
Professor Paulette Bynoe, PhD - Senior Lecturer, University of Guyana
Physical resilience - hard & soft shoreline protection strategies
Zayid Alleyne, Caribbean Development Bank
TBA
Break
Mapping & Monitoring with satellite-derived information
Edward Albada, EOMAP
TOPIM: A new model for predicting tropical cyclone intensity
Dr Samantha Hallam, Maynooth University, Ireland
Lightning Talks
Various
To be Confirmed
To be Confirmed
Trinidad & Tobago's Comprehensive National Coastal Monitoring Program - Leveraging Data Science in Strategic Decision-Making
Nazeer Gopaul, Director/Physical Oceanogrpaher, Coastal Dynamics Limited
Panel discussion: Development, coastal protection & the role of regulators
Moderator: Dr David Smith, Smith Warner International Limited
Department of Environment, Cayman Islands
Chantalle Clark-Samuel, CEO, Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, Belize
Kevin M
Anthony McKenzie, National Environment & Planning Agency, Jamaica
Lunch & networking / Poster Presentations
Day 2 Afternoon: Financing for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
Loss and Damage and opportunities for SIDS
Sasha Jattansingh, Loss & Damage Expert, Climate Analytics Caribbean
Financing options for climate change adaptation & resilience building
Derek Gibbs, Caribbean Development Bank
Blue Carbon Credits
Loúreene Jones, Climate Change Project Manager, The Nature Conservancy
Kristinia Doughorty, Senior Policy Advisor, The Nature Conservancy
Break
The role of risk transfer & insurance in a changing climate (COAST Facility)
Elizabeth Emanuel, CCRIF SPC
Caribbean Sustainable Finance Architecture
Karen McDonald Gayle, Caribbean Biodiversity Fund
Panel discussion: Financing for disaster recovery & proactive climate/disaster risk mitigation
Moderator: William Ashby, Caribbean Development Bank
Elad Shenfeld, World Bank
Claire Bernard, Planning Institute of Jamaica
Omar Sweeny, Jamaica Social Investment Fund
Closing remarks
Valerie Isaac, Caribbean Development Bank
David Smith, Smith Warner International Limited
Closing Reception
Cocktails & hors d'ouvres
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Choose between two site visits (availability will depend on the number of people wishing to go):
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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).
Conference Venue
Accommodations
Rooms are available at the AC Hotel and there are multiple other hotels within a 10 -15 minute walk or a short cab/Uber ride away. The larger hotels are highlighted on the map below.