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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.”
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