The Caribbean Outlook

Abstract

Over the past five decades, Caribbean small island developing States have made significant progress in both deepening and entrenching democratic traditions and norms, and in advancing human development. Despite such progress, the subregion’s sustainable development trajectory has become increasingly uncertain. In recent years there has been a growing awareness that the subregion has persistently lagged behind comparable economies in the developing world on the path to sustainable development. Long-standing problems are now being aggravated by climate change, with the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme events hampering the sustainable economic growth of these island economies and undermining the security of their populations. The resulting damage and loss has also led to escalating costs and a greater emphasis on disaster risk management. In this context, the main challenge facing the Caribbean is to identify paths to development that emphasize macroeconomic stability with growth, equity and environmental sustainability. This first issue of The Caribbean Outlook not only offers perspective on the threats and challenges faced by the Caribbean, but also proposes a rich body of innovative solutions to issues which must be confronted resolutely if the subregion is to achieve these sustainable development paths.