What Caribbean migration dialogues reveal about the region’s future

By Patrice Quesada, Coordinator, IOM Caribbean

Migration has become one of the defining issues shaping the Caribbean’s future—not simply because people are moving, but because our economies, labour markets, populations and climate realities are changing.

Over the past several weeks, I have participated in migration discussions at the global, regional and national levels. While each conversation was different, they all pointed to the same conclusion: the Caribbean is beginning to recognize migration not only as a border issue, but as a development issue.

The challenge now is moving from dialogue to action.

From Global Commitments to Caribbean Solutions

That shift was evident during the International Migration Review Forum held at the United Nations in New York, where Caribbean participation was particularly strong. Delegations from ten Caribbean countries, including ministerial representatives from Barbados and Belize, reinforced the region’s growing commitment to shaping international migration policy.

Two messages emerged clearly.

First, migration governance must be grounded in each country’s realities and supported by concrete national commitments. Second, migration cannot be viewed in isolation. It is closely linked to labour markets, demographic change, climate vulnerability and long-term development planning.

Every Caribbean Country Has Its Own Story

Across the region, governments are approaching migration through different lenses.

In Saint Lucia, the launch of the country’s draft migration policy reflected concerns about declining birth rates, labour shortages and continued emigration. The discussions recognised that labour needs, diaspora engagement, remittances, return migration and protection must all work together within one national strategy.

Jamaica demonstrated how migration planning can begin at the local level, with Clarendon becoming the country’s first parish to integrate migration considerations into its long-term development strategy.

Guyana, meanwhile, is managing migration in the context of rapid economic growth, balancing increased labour demand with worker protections and orderly migration systems.

Barbados has also begun incorporating migration into broader population planning as it addresses demographic decline and an ageing population.

The Bahamas has focused on disaster preparedness, bringing together government agencies to strengthen national plans for managing inter-island and cross-border movement during emergencies while safeguarding the rights and dignity of displaced people.

Different countries face different challenges—but all are recognising migration as an essential part of national planning.

The Caribbean’s Greatest Untapped Asset

One message resurfaced repeatedly throughout these discussions.

The Caribbean diaspora should no longer be viewed simply as a source of remittances.

Across the region, citizens living abroad continue to contribute through investment, entrepreneurship, professional expertise, advocacy and, in many cases, by returning home with new skills and experience.

The opportunity now is to engage the diaspora more deliberately as a strategic development partner.

Turning Dialogue into Action

Technical discussions held throughout May demonstrated that governments are beginning to move beyond policy conversations.

CARICOM, supported by the International Labour Organization and the Inter-American Development Bank, convened regional labour migration specialists to explore how migration can help address workforce shortages while ensuring fair recruitment and decent working conditions.

Together, these initiatives suggest the Caribbean is entering a new phase—one where migration is no longer viewed simply as movement across borders, but as a tool for economic resilience, demographic planning and sustainable development.

The conversations have begun.

The next challenge is ensuring they lead to meaningful action.

Health system is one of only a handful in the world able to perform the complex robotic procedure

In May 2026, surgeons at Cleveland Clinic successfully completed the health system’s first robotic lung transplant in the United States, marking a significant advancement in minimally invasive organ transplants. Cleveland Clinic is among only a small number of centers worldwide offering this surgical approach and was the first in Ohio to complete this type of procedure. Robotic lung transplants have rarely been performed because they require advanced robotic capabilities and a skilled surgical team.

Gregory Jones, MD, a thoracic surgeon at Cleveland Clinic’s Heart Vascular and Thoracic Institute, led the surgical team for the single lung transplant procedure, which also included Kenneth McCurry, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon and surgical director of lung transplantation and enterprise director of transplantation.

“This achievement reflects the collaboration and innovation across our transplant and surgical teams,” said Dr McCurry. “As these technologies continue to evolve, they will play an increasingly important role in improving patient outcomes and advancing the future of transplantation. Indeed, our kidney and liver transplant programs in Ohio have also been at the forefront of robotic organ transplantation with great success.”

In a traditional lung transplant, surgeons commonly gain access to the chest by dividing the breastbone or ribs to access the lungs. This is often associated with significant pain, which can prolong recovery. In a robotic lung transplant, surgeons use small incisions and robotic instruments and 3D visualisation to perform the procedure with a less invasive approach. This approach is designed to help reduce postoperative pain, shorten hospital stays, and accelerate recovery.

“This milestone reflects an important step forward in how we approach lung transplantation,” said Dr Jones. “It builds on our experience with both robotic surgery and transplant care and adds another option for some patients who may benefit from a minimally invasive approach.”

Robotic surgery has transformed many types of cardio-thoracic procedures over the past decade. By bringing this technology to lung transplantation, Cleveland Clinic is expanding access to advanced, minimally invasive transplant care.

The surgery was performed on a man in his 70s with pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease that causes scarring of the lungs and can make breathing increasingly difficult. Following the transplant, he was discharged from the hospital and is recovering well.

Cleveland Clinic’s Lung Transplant Program is a national leader in advanced lung transplant care, having performed more than 2,500 transplants since 1990. In 2025, Cleveland Clinic performed 146 lung transplants in the U.S. The program is known for its expertise in caring for complex transplant patients, many of whom have been turned down elsewhere, and for advancing new approaches in transplant care.

In addition to the US, Cleveland Clinic is also a leader globally in transplantation. A team at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi performed the enterprise’s first robotic lung transplant last year. It was also the first procedure of its kind performed in the Gulf region.

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

The Caribbean’s tourism industry has mastered the busy season. Now, a new report says the region’s biggest opportunity lies in transforming the months it has long considered its slowest.

The latest Amadeus Travel Insights Report, produced in partnership with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), urges Caribbean destinations to strengthen marketing efforts and forge closer partnerships with airlines to stimulate demand during the traditionally quieter months of September and October.

The report comes despite a strong performance by the region, with international visitor arrivals climbing by approximately 30 percent over recent years. Researchers caution, however, that continued growth cannot be taken for granted simply because demand remains strong during peak travel periods.

Instead, the study points to a persistent seasonal challenge.

While Caribbean destinations continue to attract robust visitor numbers during the winter travel season, arrivals typically flatten once the calendar turns to late summer and early autumn. Those months coincide with the height of the Atlantic hurricane season—a reality that has long influenced travel decisions and presents a challenge largely beyond the control of tourism-dependent economies.

The report suggests the solution lies in changing traveller behaviour rather than simply waiting for demand to return.

That means targeted promotions, strategic airline partnerships, expanded route development and marketing campaigns designed specifically to encourage off-season travel.

There is another encouraging finding for the Caribbean.

According to the report, airfares to Caribbean destinations remain broadly competitive with those to South America, giving the region a valuable advantage as travellers continue searching for affordable international getaways.

For tourism leaders, that pricing competitiveness provides an opportunity to attract visitors who increasingly weigh value alongside destination appeal when planning holidays.

The challenge now is convincing travellers that the Caribbean offers compelling experiences beyond its traditional high season.

Whatever strategy emerges, the report suggests success will depend on balancing innovation with reality. September and October will always bring heightened weather risks, but with stronger airline partnerships, creative marketing and attractive pricing, the region could unlock new opportunities during months that have historically been among its quietest.

For a tourism industry built on resilience, the next frontier may not be attracting more visitors—but attracting them at a different time of year.