Above: Minister Bacchus speaking at CTU week 2024. Photo courtesy the Ministry of Digital Transformation.

In a significant move for the region’s digital future, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Senator the Honourable Hassel Bacchus, has been re-elected as President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU). This came as part of the ongoing regional meeting for Information Communications Technology (ICT) Week, being held in St. Kitts and Nevis from September 30th to October 5th, 2024.

A key component of ICT Week was the CTU Statutory Meetings, including the 51st Executive Council and the 30th General Conference of Ministers, both of which play a pivotal role in guiding the Union’s policy direction. These meetings facilitated discussions among ICT and digital transformation stakeholders on critical regional issues such as the upskilling of citizens, the deployment of 5G, regulatory frameworks and meaningful connectivity.

Minister Bacchus in his capacity as President, delivered two keynote addresses, reaffirming his commitment to advancing telecommunications and digital transformation across the Caribbean. He emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in the global digital landscape, stating, “The Caribbean cannot be a mere onlooker. Rather, we must be active innovators and contributors, ensuring that our regional priorities, unique perspectives and culture are safeguarded and prioritised at a global level.”

He also said that the establishment of a regional framework for ICT and digital transformation lends itself to greater investment, economies of scale, shared expertise, shared infrastructure, and shared advocacy in regional and international forums.

“In keeping with the Port of Spain Commitment signed by 11 Caribbean countries in May 2023, Trinidad and Tobago is currently finalising the development and roll-out of solutions that will form part of the regional digital ecosystem,” he said, referencing the national e-ID, Interoperability Framework, and the establishment of a modular Tier 4 Data Centre. These initiatives, he shared, will bolster the region’s digital infrastructure, enhancing connectivity and the delivery of public services across the Caribbean.