CARIF 2025 opens with strong call for bold, sustainable action

Published on September 22, 2025

The 9th Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF 2025) brought together policymakers, investors, financiers, and industry leaders over the next two days to chart a path forward for the region’s infrastructure development.

The event, hosted by New Energy Events, officially opened on September 16 with CIBC and KPMG as co-title sponsors.

In his welcome remarks, Pim van der Burg, CIBC Caribbean’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the importance of resilient infrastructure investment as a driver of economic growth.

“Over the past year, our award winning corporate and investment banking teams have arranged more than $1.5 billion in transactions to support projects in hospitality, healthcare, telecommunications, aviation, ports and related facilities, and sovereign loans to a number of regional governments to support infrastructure projects” he said.

Pim van der Burg highlighted the bank’s track record of leadership in sustainable finance. He referenced initiatives such as Barbados’ blue financing program as well as blended finance solutions that allow government resources to focus on critical investments.

CIBC has been a major CARIF sponsor since the event’s inception in 2016