ARIN Reaffirms Regional Support at the Connected Caribbean Summit 2025

By Christina Paladeau – Social Media and Content Specialist

Each December, the Connected Caribbean Summit (CCS) brings together leaders working at the intersection of policy, technology, and regional development. In 2025, that conversation unfolded in St. George’s, Grenada, where ARIN helped anchor key discussions alongside more than 300 regional and international stakeholders at the largest CCS to date.

CCS has become an important annual forum, bringing together voices from government, the private sector, civil society, and the technical community. This year, participants convened under the theme “Catalyzing Caribbean Development."

CCS 2025 Hosts Organizations (l to r): Vincent Roberts, Chairman, Grenada National Telecommunications Commission; Michael Abejuela, General Counsel, ARIN; Petipha Lewis, Executive Director, Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce; The Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister, Grenada; Bevil Wooding, Director of Caribbean Affairs, ARIN; Nigel Edwards, Executive Director, Unit Trust Corporation; Julian Rogers, Caribbean Bridges.

ARIN’s delegation to CCS2025 included ARIN General Counsel Michael Abejuela and Director of Caribbean Affairs Bevil Wooding together with Nancy Carter and Peter Harrison of the ARIN Board of Trustees. Their presence underscored ARIN’s commitment to sustained engagement and partnership in the Caribbean.

Advancing Justice Through Regional Collaboration

A central element of ARIN’s participation was the Justice Forum, which ARIN once again co-hosted with the Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions (CAJS). The forum brought together senior leadership from the judiciary and law enforcement, alongside policymakers and technologists, to examine the role of secure and resilient Internet infrastructure in supporting modern justice systems.

Leaders responsible for shaping how justice is delivered across the Caribbean convened at a moment of growing pressure on courts, law enforcement, and legal institutions. Rising cyber threats, expanding volumes of digital evidence, and increasing public expectations are forcing justice systems to accelerate the pace of modernization efforts.

ARIN/CAJS Justice Forum participants at CCS2025 on 4 December 2025 in St. George’s, Grenada.

The Justice Forum brought together judges, attorneys general, law enforcement leaders, regulators, and technical experts to confront a shared reality: Justice cannot be strengthened without secure digital infrastructure, trusted data governance, and regional coordination. The discussions were direct and practical — sessions focused on what must change to protect institutional integrity, public trust, and access to justice. The interactions highlighted the growing interdependence between digital infrastructure, cybersecurity readiness, and justice. This is an area of increasing relevance for courts, law enforcement agencies, and justice institutions across the region.

For ARIN, ongoing partnership with CAJS and participation in CCS reflect a strategic priority on Internet governance, cybersecurity, and digital resilience. The 2025 Justice Forum affirmed that these are all now core justice sector concerns. A clear regional mandate emerged from the forum to accelerate the modernization of justice systems required to collaborate across borders, disciplines, and institutions to meet the demands of the digital era.

Mobilizing the Next Generation of Caribbean Leaders

The NextGen Forum was a key aspect of the 2025 Connected Caribbean Summit, creating space for young persons to ask hard questions and gain access to expertise and insights from senior practitioners. For ARIN, this forum provided a meaningful opportunity to engage emerging leaders and observe firsthand how global Internet governance connects to Caribbean realities.

CCS NextGen Panelists from l to r: Michael Abejuela; Bernadette Lewis, Secretary General, Commonwealth Telecommunications Union; Justice Adrian Saunders, Immediate Past President, Caribbean Court of Justice; Lee-ann Pierre, Executive Director, 21st Century Educators; Nigel Edwards, Executive Director, Unit Trust; and Cheryleann Pemberton, Permanent Secretary, Government of St. Kitts and Nevis.

ARIN General Counsel Michael Abejuela joined a panel of regional and global leaders from public and private sector institutions for a fast-moving, highly interactive, two-hour session with an audience of more than 60 youth. The discussion focused on leadership principles and the personal and professional realities of working in an increasingly technology-driven world. Questions were direct. Responses were candid. The room was fully engaged and reflected a generation thinking seriously about responsibility, purpose, an d the kind of leaders they are called to become.

These exchanges underscored the importance of involving early-career professionals and youth leaders in conversations about digital and Internet stewardship, policy, and the future of the Internet. Participants came prepared and asked probing questions that moved well beyond surface issues — challenging panelists on leadership mindset, overcoming resistance and opposition, building resilience, and the ethical foundations required for long-term impact.

Meaningful Exchange, Experience, and Connection

Beyond the formal program, CCS2025 created numerous opportunities for meaningful connection. ARIN representatives engaged in both structured sessions and informal exchanges with government and law enforcement officials, regulators, regional organizations, private sector leaders, and international partners. The Summit’s extended breaks, social events, and networking activities helped the ARIN delegation forge deeper connections with Caribbean decision-makers, strengthening relationships that will support sustained collaboration in the coming year.

CCS2025 once again demonstrated the value of bringing diverse communities together to exchange ideas and share experiences. ARIN extends its congratulations and sincere thanks to the Connected Caribbean Summit organizers and partners for delivering a highly impactful event.

Now firmly established as a high-value fixture on the regional calendar, CCS continues to serve as an important platform for highlighting ARIN’s broader Caribbean outreach efforts. ARIN’s participation once again reinforced the value of collaboration across policy, leadership, and technical communities, and helped lay the groundwork for continued engagement with Caribbean stakeholders in 2026 and beyond.

Panelists at the ARIN/CAJS Justice Forum at the Connected Caribbean Summit 2025 sharing regional experiences and initiatives.

For information on future ARIN events for the Caribbean community, stay tuned to the ARIN Event Calendar and the ARIN Caribbean webpage. Stay connected with us by subscribing to our blog and mailing lists and following us on social media.

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