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Greater Enthusiasm for Environmental Protection encouraged by Climate Change Summit Speaker, Bermuda’s Hon Walter Roban  

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By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

 

#Bermuda, April 26, 2022 – Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs of Bermuda, Walter Roban, is urging island states, especially British Oversea Territories, to devote the same enthusiasm they have crafting development proposals and opportunities for international investors to environmental investment and protection internally and internationally.

In giving his remarks at the Turks and Caicos Islands’ first Climate Change Conference, on April 22, in celebration of Earth Day, the Deputy Premier highlighted the effects and impacts of climate change on small islands such as Bermuda and the TCI, noting that small island states and other developing nations are at the forefront of the impacts of climate change, and this is something that cannot be underestimated. As a result, he said we (island states) must have robust regulatory frameworks, particularly for environmental protection.

“Bermuda has done a lot of work on that and is happy to share that further with the TCI and other islands. We’ve had environmental protection since the 1600s, so we have a history of it, and we have been, even in the last couple of decades, doing a lot to enhance legislative protections and also enforcement,” said Minister Roban.

Roban also encouraged that it is important for island states to ensure that they have robust regulatory frameworks around the energy sector as well and island states should seek outside investments in this sector.

“We must also look to encourage outside investments in the green technologies, solar, wind, ocean technologies and have a coordinated strategic approach to climate change around these technologies and to effectively device and implement dynamic overarching plans that will mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change,” said Roban.

As a result of the work that Bermuda has done over the years where climate change is concerned, the country was able to secure funding from the United Kingdom government to conduct an exhaustive climate study that will undertake a vulnerability assessment of Bermuda’s major infrastructure, such as its airport, ports, public highways, electricity generation, subterranean, utility and communications framework, waste and energy plant and swage management systems.

The study, Roban explained, will be about the impact of climate change on the island of Bermuda. He further explained that the study is expected to make predictions with the projection timeline for best and worse climate case scenarios for the short, medium, and long term. When completed, it will allow Bermuda to project how the areas conducted in the study will impact the country for 50 to 100 years.

Minister Roban emphasised that these are the sort of projections that island states need to have and understand to be able to contemplate their decision making and encouraged small island states in the region to conduct studies like these, even if it requires them to work together to do so.

“Small island states in the region, if you are unable to pursue these studies individually, you can jointly support such studies together. These are one of the ways that we can work together instead of taking on the full investment of those exhaustive studies on our own, and we can create a pool of resources that will allow us to benefit from the results of those studies,” explained the Deputy Premier.

He said island states should share these studies so others can benefit.

“We must share the outcomes of these studies with each other because whatever Bermuda learns about what’s happening in Bermuda can benefit the Turks and Caicos Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and others,” said Roban.

Roban also encouraged island states to take advantage of other opportunities that exist that afford a study of their territories.

“I also encourage you to benefit from academia; academia is often keen to come into our territory and work with us to complete these studies and sometimes they’ll do it themselves without any financial commitment because it is a part of building their own resource base,” said the Deputy Premier.

He added that: “academia, international organizations, and research institutions are out there who want to work with us to study and do these studies, pursue, investigate, and invite them in on terms that are mutually beneficial to you.”

The Home Affairs Minister also noted that it is important for island states to become strong voices in the campaign for climate action and “become our own advocate in the fight for climate change. We as overseas territories must work together.

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Caribbean News

Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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