On Tuesday, June 2, at 10:00 a.m. ET the Atlantic Council’s Caribbean Initiative will hold a conversation on how the United States and the Caribbean can deepen collaboration to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience, accelerate shock-resistant infrastructure, and mobilize private capital in the region.
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1, and the Caribbean cannot afford to wait. From aging ports and roads to fragile energy grids, the region’s infrastructure gaps demand urgent action and greater investment with a focus on building stronger, smarter, and more resilient systems.
This event, part of our broader Caribbean Initiative series, will mark the release of our latest report on improving Caribbean ports. The event follows February’s inaugural US-Caribbean Maritime and Ports Forum in Miami, which focused on strengthening the region’s maritime and port infrastructure.
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Speakers
Adrienne Arsht
Executive Vice Chair and Founder, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center; Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security,
Atlantic Council
Speakers
The Hon. Fayval Williams
Minister of Finance and the Public Service,
Jamaica
Helga Sommer
Director, Capital Development,
PortMiami
Meredith Berger
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Global Energy Center,
Atlantic Council
Gregory N. Hill
Managing Partner,
ACERO CAPITAL
Moderated by
Jason Marczak
Vice President and Senior Director,
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center,
Atlantic Council
Patricia R. Francis
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Caribbean Initiative,
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center,
Atlantic Council
Agenda
10:00–10:05 a.m. | Welcome remarks
Featuring
Adrienne Arsht
Executive Vice Chair and Founder, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center; Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security,
Atlantic Council
10:05–10:25 a.m. | Fireside chat: Jamaica’s vision for hurricane resilience
Featuring
The Hon. Fayval Williams
Minister of Finance and the Public Service,
Jamaica
Moderated by
Jason Marczak
Vice President and Senior Director,
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center,
Atlantic Council
10:25–11:00 a.m. | Beyond aid: Mobilizing private capital for Caribbean resilience
Speakers
Helga Sommer
Director, Capital Development,
PortMiami
Meredith Berger
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Global Energy Center,
Atlantic Council
Gregory N. Hill
Managing Partner,
ACERO CAPITAL
Moderated by
Patricia R. Francis
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Caribbean Initiative,
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center,
Atlantic Council
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The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center’s Caribbean Initiative raises awareness on key Caribbean Community (CARICOM) priorities with US and global stakeholders while deepening US engagement with the region around shared interests.
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