Caribbean Telecommunications Union

15/06/2026

CTU Congratulates Barbados on the Successful Launch of BiMPay and Calls for a Caribbean Vision of Seamless Regional Digital Payments

The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) extends its warmest congratulations to the Government of Barbados, the Central Bank of Barbados, the Barbados banking sector, and all stakeholders involved in the successful launch of BiMPay, Barbados’ national instant digital payments system. The platform allows individuals, businesses, and government entities to send and receive funds instantly, securely, and around the clock, representing a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey.

The introduction of BiMPay places Barbados among a growing group of countries that have embraced modern instant payment infrastructure to improve economic efficiency, expand financial inclusion, and accelerate digital innovation.

Similar systems have transformed the payments landscape in countries such as the United Kingdom, India, Brazil, Singapore, and across the European Union, where real-time payments have reduced transaction costs, improved convenience, increased transparency, and supported the growth of digital commerce.

Read more here: https://ctu.int/ctu-congratulates-barbados-on-the-successful-launch-of-bimpay-and-calls-for-a-caribbean-vision-of-seamless-regional-digital-payments/

Photo courtesy: Caribbean National Weekly

10/06/2026

Mr. Nigel Cassimire, Deputy Secretary-General and Director of Policy Development at the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), participated in the ICANN 86 Policy Forum held in Seville, Spain from 8 - 11 June 2026.

The Policy Forum, organised by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), is a targeted, working-level conference focused on the ongoing development and governance of the Domain Name System (DNS). Unlike ICANN’s other annual meetings, which feature broad outreach and ceremonial events, the Policy Forum is dedicated to focused cross-community policy discussions and working sessions.

During this event, Mr. Cassimire participated in discussions of the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC), which serves as the formal channel through which governments and intergovernmental organisations provide public policy advice to ICANN.

Established under ICANN’s bylaws, the GAC plays a critical role in advising the ICANN Board on matters where Internet governance policies intersect with national laws and international agreements.

Through engagement in ICANN meetings, the CTU continues to ensure that Caribbean perspectives contribute to global Internet governance discussions.

10/06/2026

Caribbean Leadership on the Global Digital Stage 🌎

The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) is pleased to announce that Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton has been approved as the incoming Vice President of the EU-LAC Network of Women Leaders in Digital Policy.

Following her nomination by the CTU, the Presidency of the EU-LAC Network of Women and the Technical Secretariat have formally confirmed Dr. Myers-Hamilton's appointment after consultations with the European Commission and relevant stakeholders.

This appointment represents an important milestone for the Caribbean and reflects the region’s growing leadership and influence in shaping digital policy at the international level.

Through Dr. Myers-Hamilton’s leadership, Jamaica, supported by the CTU, will serve as Vice-President of the Network, working alongside Ecuador in its role as President to advance collaboration and governance across the EU-LAC digital ecosystem.

The CTU extends its sincere congratulations to Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton on this achievement and looks forward to strengthening cooperation with partners across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe to promote inclusive, innovative and gender-responsive digital policies.

03/06/2026

Register to attend the 1st Caribbean AI Forum 2026 (CAIF 2026) will be held in Trinidad and Tobago!

🗓️ Dates: 23–24 July 2026
📍 Location: Hilton Trinidad Conference Centre
🔗 Registration: https://form.jotform.com/CTUnion/ctu-ai-forum
🌐 Event Page: https://ctu.int/event/1st-ctu-caribbean-artificial-intelligence-forum/
🎯 Theme: *AI for Caribbean Transformation: Governance, Innovation and Resilience for a Shared Digital Future*

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way we live, work and innovate. For the Caribbean, AI presents unprecedented opportunities to accelerate sustainable development, strengthen resilience, improve public services and enhance regional competitiveness.

Join policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, academia, development partners, civil society, youth and innovators from across the Caribbean as we shape a responsible, inclusive and Caribbean-centred AI future.

CAIF 2026 will:
✅ Launch the Caribbean AI Task Force (CAITF) Final Report
✅ Advance harmonised regional approaches to AI governance
✅ Showcase AI innovation and implementation across the Caribbean
✅ Foster partnerships for responsible AI development
✅ Establish a recurring regional platform for AI dialogue and collaboration

The Forum builds on the work of the Caribbean AI Task Force and its vision for a coordinated regional response that promotes innovation while protecting Caribbean interests, sovereignty and development priorities.

🤝 Be part of the conversation. Be part of the solution. Be part of the Caribbean’s AI future.

📧 For further information: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

02/06/2026

📢 Join the CTU WhatsApp Channel - https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbCjNNA5PO15tE0nPy0Q

Stay connected with the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and receive timely updates on:

✅Regional ICT and digital development initiatives
✅Upcoming meetings, workshops, consultations and events
✅Capacity-building and training opportunities
✅Publications, reports and policy developments
✅News and announcements from across the Caribbean ICT ecosystem

Follow the CTU WhatsApp Channel to stay informed and engaged with the work shaping the Caribbean's digital future.

27/05/2026

CTU Congratulates Barbados and Guyana on Landmark Digital ID Travel Initiative

The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) extends warm congratulations to the Governments of Barbados and Guyana on their landmark decision to permit citizens of both countries to travel using national identification cards beginning 1st July 2026. The initiative represents an important and practical step toward deeper regional integration and a more connected Caribbean community.

The arrangement will allow eligible citizens to travel between the two countries without the need for passports, utilising secure national identification systems instead.

Read more: https://ctu.int/ctu-congratulates-barbados-and-guyana-on-landmark-digital-id-travel-initiative/

Photo courtesy: Prime Minister’s Office - Barbados

26/05/2026

Applications are now open for the CTU Internship Programme 2026!

The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), through its Caribbean ICT Youth Network (CIYN), is inviting young Caribbean students and emerging professionals to apply for its 2026 Internship Programme.

This programme offers hands-on experience in the work of a regional intergovernmental ICT organisation, with opportunities to support priority areas such as:
✅Artificial Intelligence
✅Satellite communications
✅Internet governance
✅Data governance and protection
✅Digital resilience
✅Youth engagement and communications

Available positions include:
✅Policy & Research Interns
✅Marketing & Communications Intern

Interns will support the CTU Secretariat and contribute to regional ICT policy, research, stakeholder engagement, communications, publications, events and CIYN activities.

Key Dates
• Applications open: Monday 25 May 2026
• Applications close: Friday 12 June 2026 @ 11:59 PM (AST)
• Interviews: Tuesday 16 June 2026
• Start Date: Monday 22 June 2026
• Final Presentation: Friday 4 September 2026
• End Date: Friday 4 September 2026

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates are invited to complete the application form and submit their CV and unofficial student transcript here: https://forms.gle/wodqzYcaJB1SyZfs7.

Full Terms of Reference: https://ctu509-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/tariq_mohammed_ctu_int/IQABxBg5QMoBRaexwYuDEXPsAUPp_0ILVgXU30mYTRnQq8E?e=0DsO7l

For further information, contact the CIYN Team at [email protected].

21/05/2026

20/05/2026

Secretary-General Rodney Taylor attended the Global Symposium for Regulators 2026, held from 12–15 May 2026 in Ankara, Türkiye, and organised by the International Telecommunication Union in collaboration with the Government of Türkiye.

GSR-26 brought together regulators, policy makers and digital stakeholders from around the world under the theme “Navigating the Digital Frontier”, providing a global platform for dialogue on building a resilient and inclusive digital future.

During the symposium, Secretary-General Taylor met with Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), to discuss several strategic initiatives of importance to the Caribbean region, including:

🔹 Updates on the establishment of a Regional Regulatory Body
🔹 The Smart Seas initiative and its potential benefits for small-scale fishers across the Caribbean
🔹 Development of an AI Regulatory Policy Development Toolkit to support rapid and harmonised policy development
🔹 Preparations for ICT Week 2026

The discussions reinforced the continued collaboration between the CTU and the ITU in advancing resilient, inclusive and innovation-driven digital development for the Caribbean region.