Message from Dr. Mohammad Rafik M.S. Nagdee
Executive Director
Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE)
On the Occasion of CARICOM Day 2026
Today, as we celebrate CARICOM Day, we honour more than five decades of regional integration, cooperation and shared purpose. It is a moment to reflect not only on how far our Caribbean Community has come, but also on the future we are building together, one that is more resilient, more prosperous and more secure for all our people.
The challenges confronting our Region are increasingly interconnected. Climate change, energy security, economic competitiveness, food and water security, digital transformation and disaster resilience cannot be addressed in isolation. They demand coordinated regional action and long-term strategic thinking.
At the heart of this agenda lies energy.
Energy is far more than a single sector of the economy. It powers every aspect of Caribbean development. It keeps our hospitals and schools operating, enables modern agriculture, transport and tourism, supports industry and trade, strengthens digital connectivity, enhances national security and underpins our ability to adapt to a changing climate and changing world. Every ambition we hold for our Region depends on access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.
For the Caribbean’s Small Island Developing States, the transition to cleaner and more resilient energy systems is no longer simply an environmental imperative, it is an economic and development imperative. Reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, expanding renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and strengthening regional cooperation will not only increase our resilience but also create new opportunities for investment, innovation, entrepreneurship and quality jobs across our Community.
This year’s CARICOM Day also marks the commencement of the Chairmanship of the Conference of Heads of Government by The Honourable Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia. His longstanding commitment to sustainable development, environmental stewardship and climate resilience reflects the priorities that continue to shape our Region’s collective future, and we wish him every success during his tenure.
CCREEE remains committed to supporting CARICOM Member States and partners to accelerate towards achieving energy sovereignty. Together, we are helping to build the enabling environment for stronger economies, greater resilience and lasting prosperity.
The Caribbean has always demonstrated that our greatest strength lies in our unity. As we look to the future, let us continue to work together with ambition, innovation and solidarity to ensure that sustainable energy becomes a catalyst for economic transformation, climate resilience and improved quality of life for every Caribbean citizen.
On behalf of the entire CCREEE family, I extend warm wishes to the Governments and people of the Caribbean Community on this CARICOM Day.
May our shared commitment to regional cooperation continue to guide us as we build a stronger Caribbean and power a sustainable future for generations to come.
Happy CARICOM Day.
Vienna, Austria | 9 April 2026
The Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) have formalized a strengthened partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the margins of the International Vienna Energy & Climate Forum (IVECF) 2026, reinforcing their strategic collaboration to accelerate the transition to sustainable, resilient, and affordable energy systems across the Caribbean.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Mohammad Rafik M.S. Nagdee, Executive Director of CCREEE, and Mr. Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, in the presence of Senator, The Honourable Jonathan W. D. Reid, Minister of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology of the Government of Barbados, who witnessed the signing.
This MoU establishes a renewed framework for collaboration between the two intergovernmental organizations, reinforcing their shared commitment to advancing sustainable, resilient, and affordable energy systems across Caribbean. Central to this partnership is a coordinated approach to pooled procurement and demand aggregation as a strategic mechanism to unlock economies of scale, reduce costs, and catalyse investment in support of a just energy transition
Building on a strong history of cooperation, including the 2022 tripartite agreement with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, this bilateral partnership reflects a strengthened focus on coordinated action and results driven implementation. This agreement advances collaboration across key areas, including, data and knowledge exchange, and capacity building, alongside the development of innovative mechanisms to unlock investment and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies across the Caribbean.
The MoU further highlights the critical role of partnerships between multilateral development organisations to enhance cooperation in accelerating the global energy transition, particularly in regions with shared vulnerabilities and common development priorities. By aligning institutional strengths and leveraging complementary expertise, CCREEE and IRENA aim to enhance efficiency, avoid duplication, and maximize the impact of interventions supporting Caribbean energy systems.
Through this collaboration, both organizations will work closely with governments, utilities, private sector actors, and development partners to design and implement scalable solutions tailored to the unique needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). This includes advancing harmonized investment plans, supporting pilot projects, and facilitating technical consultations to strengthen the region’s energy infrastructure and market readiness.
Speaking of the significance of the partnership, Mr. Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, stated:
” Strengthening collaboration with regional institutions such as CCREEE is essential to advancing the global energy transition in a way that reflects regional priorities and national circumstances. It marks an important step towards delivering tangible results for the Caribbean. I look forward to seeing those results translate into climate resilience and sustainable growth in the region.”
Dr. Mohammad Rafik M.S. Nagdee, Executive Director of CCREEE, added:
“By strengthening our collaboration with IRENA and advancing innovative approaches such as the Economic Investment Platform that focuses on pooled procurement and demand aggregation, we are positioning the Caribbean to unlock financing at scale, drive down costs, and deliver sustainable resilient energy solutions for our Member States, while advancing a just and inclusive energy transition.”
The MoU provides a strategic platform to translate shared ambitions into tangible outcomes enhancing energy security, reducing costs, and building climate resilience across Caribbean nations.
As the global community intensifies efforts to meet climate targets and sustainable development goals, this partnership demonstrates the power of coordinated, multilateral action in delivering transformative changes where it is needed most.
About CCREEE
The Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) is a regional intergovernmental organization established by the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, advance net-zero targets and support Member States in transforming their energy systems towards greater sustainability, resilience, and energy security.
About IRENA
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is the global intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, supporting countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future.