Skip to main content
CIF Logo
Top Menu
SEARCH
  • General
  • Governance
Use comma(,) to separate multiple keywords.
PARAMETERS
  • EXPAND ALL
  • COLLAPSE ALL
  • RESET FILTERS
Program
Select your Program:
Clean Technology Fund (CTF)
Topic
Select your Topic:
 Adaptation and Resilience
Capacity Building
Capital Markets Mechanism
CIF
Cities
Energy Transition
Equality
Health
Impact & Results
Knowledge & Learning
Mitigation
Stakeholders
Content Type
Publication
Select your Publication:
News & Media
Select your News & Media:
Event
Select your Event:
Country
Select your Country:
Asia
All
Europe & Central Asia
All
Latin America & the Caribbean
All
Middle East & North Africa
All
Sub-Saharan Africa
All
Implementing Partner
Select your Implementing Partner:
Dates
PARAMETERS
  • EXPAND ALL
  • COLLAPSE ALL
  • RESET FILTERS
Documents by Type
Select your Documents by Type:
Meetings
Policies and Strategic documents
Reports
Language
Select your Language:
Committee Meetings
Select your Committee Meetings:
Dates
Country
Select your Country:
Asia
All
Europe & Central Asia
All
Latin America & the Caribbean
All
Middle East & North Africa
All
Sub-Saharan Africa
All
Programs
Select your Programs:
Clean Technology Fund (CTF)
Content Type
CLOSE SEARCH

Search

Banner for LAC Knowledge exchange event by CIF
Press Release

Jamaica Hosts High-Level Regional Knowledge Exchange on Climate Resilience and Nature-Based Solutions

Subscribe to our newsletter
SHARE
  • TweetTweet
  • Like
  • ShareShare
  • EmailEmail
Jun 25, 2025

Kingston, Jamaica – The Government of Jamaica, CIF, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the World Bank Group are hosting a high-level forum today aimed at facilitating learning in resilience building and harnessing nature to boost sustainable development.

The "CIF Latin America and the Caribbean Knowledge Exchange" takes place in Kingston, Jamaica from June 23 to 26, 2025. It seeks to enhance South-South learning and collaboration by gathering over 150 representatives from 13 countries to share practical lessons and co-develop a regional knowledge agenda focused on resilience building, sustainable forestry, and nature-based solutions in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

CIF CEO, Tariye Gbadegesin, will join high-level speakers including:

  • The Hon. Matthew Samuda, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Government of Jamaica,  
  • Dr. Max Puig, Executive Vice-President of the National Council for Climate Change and the Clean Development Mechanism, Government of the Dominican Republic,  
  • His Excellency Mark Berman, High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica and the Bahamas,  
  • Anton Edmunds, General Manager, Caribbean Country Department, IDB, and  
  • Dr. Benoît Bosquet, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, World Bank.  

Participants will reflect on, and derive, lessons from over 17 years of CIF-financed projects across the LAC region, under its Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) and Forest Investment Program (FIP).

Under PPCR, for example, more than 3 million people benefited from $167 million in CIF investments that mobilized $443 million in total funding in the Caribbean. These investments helped mainstream resilience in national development planning, built technical capacity across communities, and helped governments develop tools and systems for disaster risk management.

About 853,000 people benefited from $216 million in CIF investments under FIP that mobilized $758 million in additional funding in Latin America and the Caribbean. These investments helped bring almost 30 million hectares under sustainable land and water management practices through improved land use policies to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation.

Over the four days in Kingston, the group will also visit CIF-supported projects in Jamaica, including a solar-powered agricultural production hub that demonstrates how concessional finance can drive tangible progress in national planning, infrastructure, and livelihoods.

Tariye Gbadegesin, CEO, CIF

“This Knowledge Exchange truly captures the spirit of South-South learning. At CIF, we are committed to finding solutions through sharing experiences and successes that transcend borders, sectors, and communities. We take pride in supporting our partners across Latin America and the Caribbean and are eager to hear the valuable lessons and insights they will share throughout the week.”

Hon. Matthew Samuda, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Government of Jamaica

“Jamaica is honored to host this important gathering of regional and international partners committed to climate resilience and sustainable development. The CIF Latin America and the Caribbean Knowledge Exchange presents a timely opportunity to deepen South-South collaboration and accelerate the adoption of nature-based solutions across our region.  

Jamaica’s leadership in climate resilience is backed by bold action — from achieving 25% protection of our terrestrial area ahead of global targets, to planting over 3 million trees. Importantly, we will also be launching the Blue-Green Facility to mobilize climate finance. As we host this important regional exchange, we are proud to share these milestones and learn from others as we collectively build a more sustainable future.”

Dr. Max Puig, Executive Vice-President of the National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism, Government of the Dominican Republic

“The Dominican Republic is a strong advocate for knowledge exchange in Latin America and the Caribbean, believing in collaborative learning to address shared challenges. As one of the first countries—alongside Rwanda—to have an investment plan approved under the CIF’s Nature, People, and Climate Program, we value this forum as an opportunity to both express our gratitude and learn from countries implementing FIP and PPCR.

But we are also here to contribute: We are committed to coordinated regional responses to challenges like sargassum, extreme events, and ecosystem vulnerability. Strengthening adaptation capacity, early warning systems, and resilient infrastructure requires comprehensive programs that support cooperation and institutional capacity.

We thank the Government of Jamaica for hosting this important gathering and reaffirm our commitment to work side by side with regional partners towards long-term, transformative solutions.”

Anton Edmunds, General Manager, Caribbean Country Department, IDB

“In our region, every dollar invested in resilience and adaptation can generate four to seven dollars in benefits. That’s why concessional finance and innovative partnerships with the private sector are essential to bridging the climate finance gap. The IDB is proud to collaborate with CIF and the World Bank Group to enhance knowledge and share experiences across Latin America and the Caribbean.”

Lilia Burunciuc, Director for the Caribbean, World Bank

“Through our partnership, the World Bank and the CIF have helped build resilience in Jamaica and the Caribbean. By utilizing innovative financing and knowledge sharing, our collaboration has contributed to sustainable development and benefited communities throughout the region. This knowledge exchange event is a continuation of our work, and we look forward to engaging further.” 

Country
Brazil
Bolivia
Dominica
Grenada
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Mexico
Peru
St. Lucia
St. Vincent & Grenadines
Dominican Republic
Programs
Forest Investment Program (FIP)
Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR)
Resources

See Also

CIF Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Knowledge Exchange
Learning Event
CIF Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Knowledge Exchange
Jun 23 - 26, 2025
Roof solar panels in Maldives
Feature Story
CIF Delivers: Establishing a Viable Market for Clean Power in the Maldives 
Jul 16, 2025
CIF Annual Report 2024
Annual Report
Annual Report 2024: Shifting Gears
Jun 10, 2025
Picture of Building Resilience in Cambodia
Case Study
Building Resilience in Cambodia
Jun 09, 2025
  • Linkedin Opens a new window
  • Youtube Opens a new window
  • Facebook Opens a new window
  • Instagram Opens a new window
  • Flickr Opens a new window 

©2025 Climate Investment Funds. All Rights Reserved.

  • Contact
  • Legal Opens a new window
  • Privacy Opens a new window
  • Disclaimer