Panel: Shaping the Future: Innovation Policy and Sustainable Transitions
This panel brings together senior policymakers, regional innovation leaders, and development practitioners to discuss how innovation policy can support sustainable transitions, competitiveness, digital transformation, and resilient economic growth in the Caribbean. The discussion will explore practical experiences in entrepreneurship, technology adoption, industrial development, fintech, and regional innovation ecosystems.
Participants will gain insights into how Caribbean countries and regional institutions are addressing challenges related to productivity, climate resilience, digitalization, and inclusive growth, while identifying opportunities for stronger regional collaboration and innovation-driven development.

Panelists:

Kayla Grant - Executive Director, Compete Caribbean / IDB

Denise Ferguson - Executive Manager: Entrepreneurship, Development & Innovation, CARIRI

Rafiq Ilahi - Permanent Secretary & Director of Technological Innovation Ministry of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation, Suriname

Jonathan Reid - Minister of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology, Barbados
Moderator: Tatevik Poghosyan Senior Economist, Government of Canada, NACLICS Board Member

PDW. Storytelling and dissemination of research

Presenter: Jason Turner – Saint Mary’s University

Moderator: Claudia De Fuentes

Hackathon Modeling Tomorrow: Innovation for Sustainable Development. Data analysis

Presenters

Dr. Claudia De Fuentes - SMU

Dr. Joniada Milla - SMU

Dr Dennis Novy (UK FCDO chief economist)

Dr. Tatevik Poghosyan - Government of Canada/SMU

Hackathon teamwork

Hackathon Mentors:

Tatevik Poghosyan Track 1

Daniel Hernaiz Diez de Medina Track 1

Sandra Schillo Track 1

Damian Cohall Track 2

Jose Miguel Natera Track 2

Jimena Cuevas Portilla Track 2

Newton Science Hub

Internationl Food Science Center