Miami, FL, 6 December 2023 — The American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) and the Caribbean Chambers of Commerce (CARICHAM) have officially solidified their commitment to advancing digital resilience in the Caribbean private sector through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The historic agreement was formalized on December 6, 2023, at the Hilton Blue Lagoon in Miami, Florida, as part of the culmination of the Connected Caribbean Summit.
ARIN, a nonprofit member-based organization overseeing Internet operations in Canada, the United States, and numerous Caribbean islands, has teamed up with CARICHAM, a regional organization dedicated to representing and fostering the interests of the Caribbean private sector.
Michael Abejuela, General Council at ARIN, expressed the significance of this collaboration: “ARIN is thrilled to partner with CARICHAM to bolster the digital resilience of the Caribbean private sector.”
CARICHAM, a regional organization representing the interests of the private sector in the Caribbean, plays a pivotal role in fostering intra-regional trade and cooperation among businesses.
Petipha Lewis, Chair, representing CARICHAM, echoed the sentiment: “This partnership exemplifies the commitment of CARICHAM to championing the interests of the Caribbean private sector. As the digital landscape evolves, so do the challenges facing businesses. By working with ARIN, we aim to equip businesses with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive in the digital era.”
The two will collaborate to develop and implement advocacy and capacity-building programs focused on enhancing digital resilience within the Caribbean private sector. The partnership will span various activities, including joint research, workshops, conferences, and awareness campaigns.
The MOU was signed during the Connected Caribbean Summit at the Hilton Blue Lagoon in Miami, Florida. The summit, a platform for discussions on the challenges and opportunities in the Caribbean digital landscape, set the stage for this collaborative milestone.
Michael Abejuela echoed this sentiment, stating: “The Connected Caribbean Summit provided the ideal backdrop for this signing. It encapsulates the spirit of collaboration and the pursuit of actionable solutions that are crucial for the region’s digital future. Our collaboration with CARICHAM will be driven by a mutual understanding of the critical role digital resilience plays in the success of businesses.”
Petipha Lewis underscored the significance of the occasion: “The summit highlighted the importance of forging partnerships to overcome shared challenges. The MOU signing between ARIN and CARICHAM represents a commitment to turn discussions into tangible actions that will benefit the Caribbean private sector.”
ABOUT THE SUMMIT
The Connected Caribbean Summit 2023 is a pivotal annual gathering uniting various sectors to explore and devise strategies for expediting transformative action for Caribbean Development. This unique event unites government, business and justice sector leaders along with other key stakeholders and partners to provide actionable insights for collaborative problem solving and accelerated regional development.
The event was hosted by the Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions, the Network of Caribbean Chambers of Commerce (CARICHAM), and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), in partnership with the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN), the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG), and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission and sponsored by the Unit Trust Corporation.
MORE INFO
connectedcaribbean.org
For media inquiries, please contact: Jesse Deane-Smith, Media Coordinator, ccsummit@connectedcaribbean.org