New CDB President’s Vision for the Region: Innovate, Transform, Thrive

By Caribbean Business Report  

Newly appointed Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) President Daniel Best has set out a bold vision for the 55-year-old institution, emphasising action, innovation, and impact. The CDB Head highlighted a major endorsement of the Bank by its Contributors, who recently approved a historic US$460 million program for the 11th cycle of the Special Development Fund (SDF). Covering 2025-2028, SDF 11 will f inance climate resilience, poverty alleviation, social and economic infrastructure, and institutional capacity-building across the region.

Elaborating on his vision, Mr. Best outlined three core imperatives: Innovate, Transform, Thrive. Under this refreshed approach, CDB will leverage data for development, using analytics to drive evidence-based policy and investment. The Bank will also launch at least three new financial products in 2025, focusing on the just green transition and private sector de-risking. Additionally, CDB will advance energy and food security, supporting the region’s sustainable energy transition and CARICOM’s goal to reduce food imports by 25% by 2027.

President Best also reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to strengthening education across the Caribbean, ensuring that every student has access to high quality learning opportunities. Additionally, CDB will continue to champion initiatives that improve quality of life, prioritising crime reduction, safer communities, and greater gender equality to build a more inclusive and resilient Caribbean.  

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