Daniel Best

I’m pleased to invite you to join us for the media launch of the 56th Annual Meeting of the @Caribank’s Board of Governors on Thursday, March 19 at 10:00 AM AST. This year, The Bahamas will host this important gathering of regional and international leaders, where we will discuss the priorities shaping the Caribbean’s development future. I’ll be joined by Senator the Honourable Michael Halkitis, CFA, CAMS, Chair of the Bank's Board of Governors and Governor for The Bahamas. At the launch, we’ll reveal the theme, dates, programme of events and of course the beautiful logo for the meeting. 📺 Tune in live on CDB’s YouTube, LinkedIn, or Facebook pages. I look forward to sharing what we have planned for this year’s meeting. #ourCDB #ourCaribbean #BOG56 #TheBahamas

Standing with Haiti: Delivering Caribbean Solutions Where They Matter Most 🇭🇹 Last week, we welcomed our Haiti Country Office team to our Headquarters' campus here in Barbados. Hearing directly from the team on the ground was a powerful reminder of both the challenges Haiti faces and the importance of our work there. Haiti remains a priority under the @Caribank's new Strategic Plan. The context is extremely fragile – 1.4 million people are internally displaced, 6.4 million require humanitarian assistance, and nearly 5.7 million are projected to face hunger. The impact on children and young people is especially concerning. In this environment, our presence on the ground matters. Since 2018, our Haiti Country Office has helped strengthen partnerships and deliver practical support across several sectors, including: 📚 Education & skills: Over 17,000 students (50% girls) benefited from improved learning conditions under the Quality Enhancement in Public Education programme, while strengthened TVET training at the Jacmel Institute prepares young people for employment. 🌱 Agriculture: The Community-Based Agriculture and Rural Development programme established apprenticeship plots, farmer training for 250 producers (48% women), and a 23.5-hectare irrigation scheme in Northwest Haiti. ⚡ Energy access: The First Power rural mini-grid project will bring electricity to more than 2,000 households and businesses in Mont Organisé, Vallières, and Capotille. 🚨 Disaster resilience: Continued support for Haiti’s participation in the @ccrif_pr regional catastrophe insurance mechanism helps ensure rapid financing after disasters. As a Caribbean institution delivering Caribbean solutions, we work alongside Haitian communities, making a tangible difference even in the most challenging circumstances. Haiti is central to our mission of reducing poverty and advancing sustainable development across the Caribbean. I thank our team for their dedication and reaffirm the Bank’s commitment to support Haiti and expand opportunities for Haitian people. #ourCDB #ourCaribbean #Haiti #Partnerships #DevelopmentImpact

The Caribbean is at a defining moment. At @Caribank's Annual News Conference last week, I spoke about what I believe is a genuine "decade of decision" for our Region. The numbers help explain why: 📊 US$65.2B—the projected financing need across our Region from 2024 to 2033, just to sustain current growth trajectories. 🌱 US$14B—the estimated annual requirement for climate action, with less than 10% currently mobilised. These are not abstract numbers. They represent schools, hospitals, coastlines, livelihoods, and the ambitions of a generation of Caribbean people. At the same time, the world around us is changing rapidly. Geopolitical realignments, climate volatility, technological acceleration, and shifting global supply chains are reshaping the environment in which our Region must compete and thrive. The question before us is clear: Will we become architects of our own resilience, or remain exposed to forces beyond our control? At CDB, we are responding with equal ambition. Our new Strategic Plan 2026–2035 is built on three pillars: 🤝 Social Resilience 📈 Economic Resilience 🌱 Environmental Resilience We are committing 30% of our financing to climate action. We are prioritising youth, strengthening institutions, and expanding our capital base because incremental responses to structural challenges are not enough. By 2035, I believe the Caribbean 🌎can stand among the world’s most resilient regions, supported by strong institutions, climate-smart infrastructure, and a globally competitive generation ready to lead. That future is within reach, but it requires us to act with urgency and purpose. Together with our team, our member countries, and our partners, we are committed to rising to this moment and delivering excellence for the people of the Caribbean. #ourCDB

Happy International Women’s Day! On this International Women’s Day, I celebrate some of the women who inspire, contribute and shape my life daily. I’m motivated by their strength, their wisdom and their determination to meaningfully contribute to building this region, our home. Across the Caribbean and around the world, women are at the heart of progress and possibility. Today, we honour their contributions and stand firm in our commitment to equality and opportunity for all. #InternationalWomensDay #HappyBirthdayMum #LoveYou #ThankYou #IWD2026 #EqualityForAll #ForAllWomenAndGirls #ourCDB #ourCaribbean

Returning to the office after an exceptional week at the 50th Regular Meeting of the @CARICOMorg Heads of Government in Saint Kitts and Nevis 🇰🇳, I feel both grateful and energised. My sincere thanks to Prime Minister Hon. Dr. @TerranceDrewSKN and the wonderful people of Saint Kitts and Nevis for their outstanding hospitality. The warmth and professionalism with which the region was hosted truly reflected the very best of who we are as Caribbean people. For the first time in approximately a decade, all leaders of the full member states of CARICOM gathered in one space 🏛️, with the majority of associate members also present. In one moment in time, the collective leadership of our Region came together, and it was powerful. I had the privilege of engaging directly with many Heads of Governments and States 👥 and hearing, firsthand, their perspectives on the role of the Caribbean Development Bank in this increasingly complex geopolitical environment 🌎. I also met with new and prospective partners to explore how we can mobilise greater resources and strengthen collaboration to support the Caribbean’s development priorities. What resonated most throughout the week was the unwavering commitment of our leaders and institutions to improving the lives of Caribbean people. These are challenging times globally, but the resilience and determination of our Region are unmistakable ⚡. The spirit of partnership I witnessed last week reinforces my belief that we are well positioned to navigate this moment – together. There is important work ahead, and I look forward to sharing more soon. #CARICOM50 #StrategicPartnerships #OurCaribbean #OurCDB

Sustainable growth. Strategic partnerships. Shared Caribbean progress. 📊 I was pleased to participate in the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo at the invitation of the Government of Guyana. 🇬🇾 Guyana stands among the fastest-growing energy markets in the world⚡. Yet what is particularly significant is not only the scale of growth, but the vision guiding it. Under the leadership of @presidentaligy, Guyana is pursuing a net-zero carbon profile 🌳 while advancing its energy ambitions. This commitment to sustainability signals a country thinking long-term: building an energy sector that is competitive, responsible, and resilient. @Caribank's partnership with Guyana spans the life of the Bank. Today, that collaboration supports strategic investments in infrastructure🏗️, human capital 🎓, and environmental resilience 🌱—helping to ensure that growth strengthens national capacity and delivers tangible, broad-based impact. At the Conference, President Ali underscored the importance of strong partnerships 🤝 and long-term relationships in sustaining progress. These principles have anchored CDB’s engagement with Guyana for decades and will continue to shape and strengthen our collaboration in the years ahead. Guyana’s progress matters—not only for Guyana, but for our wider Caribbean. 🌎 #SustainableGrowth #StrategicPartnerships #OurCaribbean #OurCDB

Stability and confidence are essential foundations for sustainable development. The recent affirmation by Fitch Ratings reflects the continued strength 📈of the @Caribank and our steadfast commitment to serving the Region. With “excellent” capitalisation and ‘AAA’ liquidity, CDB remains a reliable and affordable source of financing in a dynamic global environment 🌐. These strong ratings enable the Bank to access capital on favourable terms, helping to channel cost-effective resources toward investments that strengthen resilience and support inclusive growth in our Borrowing Member Countries. Guided by our Rebirth vision 💡, we continue to advance financial innovation and prudent stewardship to maximise impact, safeguard our strong institutional foundation, and help build a resilient, future-ready Caribbean. bit.ly/4cbNnOh #Leadership #FinancialInnovation #FitchRatings #ourCDB #ourCaribbean

Congratulations, Prime Minister Mottley! 🇧🇧 Warm congratulations to The Honourable @miaamormottley, on her re-election as Prime Minister of the Republic of Barbados. This renewed mandate reflects the confidence of the Barbadian people in your principled leadership, steady stewardship, and unwavering advocacy on issues that matter most - economic resilience, climate action, social equity, and sustainable development. At @Caribank, we look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the Government and people of Barbados as we work together to advance inclusive growth and build a more resilient Caribbean. Here’s wishing you every Blessing for continued strength and success in the term ahead. 🙏🏽🤝 #Leadership #Barbados #Partnership #ourCDB #ourCaribbean

Last week, I joined regional and global leaders at the @AgendaCAF International Economic Forum 2026 in Panama 🇵🇦 to explore strategic opportunities to strengthen South–South cooperation.🫱🏾‍🫲🏿 On a panel discussing Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)-Africa partnerships, we spoke candidly about the urgency of bridging the Atlantic - not just through dialogue, but through tangible collaboration that delivers results for our people. As the fastest-growing region in the world 📈, Africa presents significant opportunities for shared learning and collective progress, especially given the deep historical and cultural ties that connect our regions. At @Caribank, we are strengthening partnerships with CAF, @afreximbank and others to advance innovative financing solutions. We are committed to ensuring that regional integration is inclusive and leaves no one behind. I am encouraged by the many productive discussions and optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead. #CAFForum2026 #SouthSouthCooperation #InclusiveDevelopment

Delighted to have met with Fiona Ramsey, Ambassador of the @EUinBarbados and Ambassador Designate to the Eastern Caribbean, and the EU-@EIB delegation at @Caribank recently. Our long-standing #partnership with the EU continues to deliver real impact across the #Caribbean Region.

On #WorldReadAloudDay 2026 📚, I read "Mabel and the Mountain" to the children in @Caribank's AfterSchool Care Programme. At CDB, investing in #youth is central to our #Rebirth vision. It starts early, by creating spaces where young minds feel supported to dream big 🚀. #ourCDB

Delighted to meet with Zhongjing Wang, CEO of MCDF, and his team at @Caribank. This partnership will help move projects from concept to bankable investment—unlocking financing, strengthening connectivity, and delivering tangible benefits for the Caribbean people. #ourCDB

The Caribbean has lost a giant. His legacy lives on in the institution he helped strengthen, the lives he influenced, and the development path he helped chart for our region. @Caribank will, in the coming days, work with Dr. Smith’s family to celebrate and honour his life. 🧵2/2

It is with a heavy heart that I received the news that @Caribank's 5th President, Dr. Warren Smith, passed away this day. Dr. Smith was deeply committed to regional development and to uplifting the Caribbean people. His passion for the Bank and its mission was unmistakable. 🧵1/2

We kicked off 2026 with our first @Caribank Conversation 💬—bringing staff together to refocus and prepare for the year ahead. If the level of engagement in the room was any indication ⚡️, 2026 promises to be a year of meaningful impact across the Region we proudly serve.

Honoured to meet with Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday and his Cabinet in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines this week. 🇻🇨 What emerged from our discussions was a strong alignment between the Government’s priorities and @Caribank's vision for prosperity in the Region. #ourCDB

So, from my family to yours, here’s wishing you all, a very Merry Christmas/Season’s Greeting/Happy Holidays and a bright, hopeful New Year! ❤️ #ourCDB #ourCaribbean 🧵 4/4

Looking ahead, I am inspired by the opportunities to reimagine development, unlock innovation, and help our Region to thrive. May this Season bring rest, joy, and renewal, and may the year ahead reward our collective efforts with good health, favor, and continued impact. 🧵3/4

As we gather with loved ones, I want to say a heartfelt thank you.🙏🏽This has been a year of learning, collaboration, and laying important foundations—strengthening partnerships, advancing sustainable development priorities, and continuing to build resilience for our Region. 🧵1/4