BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: How do Caribbean youth build a sustainable future in uncertain economies? What role can young people play in driving climate resilience, digital innovation, and social inclusion?   These are among the defining questions that young leaders from across the region will explore and answer during the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB / the Bank) Youth FIRE Forum (YFF), scheduled for June 1st and 2nd 2026 in Nassau, The Bahamas. 

Taking place just ahead of the 56th Annual Meeting of the CDB Board of Governors under the theme “Forging the Caribbean’s Future: Strategic Solutions for Uncertain Times”,  the YFF will bring together youth leaders, innovators, and development partners to exchange ideas, co-create practical solutions, explore more inclusive, intentional, and action-oriented Caribbean development and contribute directly to CDB’s programming and regional policy dialogue. 

Looking ahead to the Forum, Mr. Daniel Best, President of CDB, highlighted the role that youth play in shaping regional growth and prosperity, saying, “Caribbean youth are not simply the leaders of tomorrow; they are essential partners in the solutions we need today. The Youth FIRE Forum is CDB’s commitment to ensuring their voices, ideas, and energy are at the centre of our region’s development.” 

The Forum begins on the morning of June 1st with a formal Opening Ceremony, co-hosted by inaugural members of CDB’s Future Leaders Network (FLN). President Best will deliver opening remarks, alongside the Honourable Mario Keith Bowleg, Minister of Youth and Sports, The Bahamas, and youth representatives, Ms. Asha-Gaye Cowell of Jamaica and Mr. Kiran Halkitis of The Bahamas.

Day 1 of the YFF comprises four thematic sessions addressing the most urgent challenges facing Caribbean youth. These cover reimagining youth livelihoods and community prosperity; youth, AI and digital power in the region’s future; climate, energy and survival in a Caribbean at risk; and youth justice, reintegration, and community transformation. The first day of YFF concludes with moving the dialogue to action with a World Café-style Outcome Harvest in which participants will collectively distil key messages and priority actions to inform the Youth FIRE Outcome Statement.

On Day 2, the YFF culminates in the Youth FIRE Intergenerational Dialogue. President Best will lead the conversation and will be joined by Minister Bowleg, as well as youth representatives Ms. Rianka Chance of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Mr. Stephen Richards of Jamaica, and Mr. Amilcar Peter Sanatan and Ms. TeHilla Maloney-Joseph of Trinidad and Tobago.

The dialogue will focus on strategic solutions, resilience, employment, innovation, and the partnerships needed to secure a prosperous future for Caribbean youth. It follows a morning Youth Co-Creation Lab in which FLN representatives will finalise the Youth FIRE Outcome Statement, a set of concrete recommendations and priority actions for CDB and regional governments. And a Youth Innovation Hub interactive showcase to spotlight youth-led innovation. 

Day 2 of the YFF will close with the ceremonial introduction of the FLN Cohort 2 — a new generation of young leaders and innovators, aged 18 to 35, representing the Bank’s 19 Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs). 

The Youth FIRE Forum aligns with CDB’s 10-year Strategic Plan “Transforming the Caribbean for Resilience” which outlines the Bank’s commitment to empowering youth as critical drivers of transformation and innovation in Caribbean societies and economies.

All public sessions from the Annual Meeting will be broadcast on CDB’s YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn channels ensuring wide access to these critical discussions across the Caribbean and beyond. The Opening Ceremony of the Youth Fire Forum will be livestreamed on Monday, June 1st at 8:30am AST while the Intergenerational Dialogue will be livestreamed on Tuesday, June 2nd at 3:00pm AST. 

###

Photo caption: Caribbean Development Bank Future Leaders Network Cohort 1 members (L-R): Ms. Chemora Mcknee, Ms. Janeil Odle, Mr. Shemeon Williams, and Mr. Esquire Henry participate in a meeting with the Bank to discuss issues affecting the region's youth.