Regional
Headquarters, Jamaica, Thursday, 13 February 2020. The
University of the West Indies (The UWI) congratulates the Caribbean
Development Bank on its 50th
Anniversary.The following statement
is issued by the Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary
Beckles.

Fifty
years ago, in 1970, as the fledgling nations of the Caribbean sought
to shape a post-colonial destiny for themselves, the Caribbean
Development Bank was established with its key objectives to
“contribute to the harmonious economic growth and development of
the member countries in the Caribbean and to promote economic
cooperation and integration among them…”

As
it delivered on this mandate, the Caribbean Development Bank has
enjoyed a tradition of distinguished leaders. In the early years,
under the leadership of Caribbean giants Sir Arthur Lewis and William
Demas, the institution laid the foundation to encourage member
countries to engage in individual and collective strategies to evolve
from traditional modes of production into new areas of economic
activity. They nurtured the region through times of austerity and
economic recovery programmes while expanding the reach and scope of
the bank itself. With the dawn of the new millennium, the impact of
contemporary globalisation was felt in the region resulting in a
resurgence of regionalism, and the Caribbean Development Bank led by
Sir Neville Nichols then Compton Bourne, adjusted its modus operandi
to better respond to the changing needs of its borrowing member
countries. This demonstration of attentiveness to the needs of the
region and an appreciation of and openness to change has continued
under the fifth President, my friend and colleague, Warren Smith.

It
was my honour and pleasure in 2018, to sign a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) that formalised the longstanding partnership
between The University of the West Indies (The UWI) and the Caribbean
Development Bank (CDB). Together we are stronger and it was
important to emphasise our collective commitment and dedication to
advancing the well-being of our Caribbean people. Our shared
priorities include promoting youth development and community
inclusion through sport, improving implementation capacity,
developing joint training and educational programmes, and supporting
the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda in areas such as climate
adaptation and mitigation, gender equality, and education and
training.

The
University of the West Indies salutes our partner the Caribbean
Development Bank on the occasion of its golden anniversary! To
leadership past and present, their dedicated team of technical
specialists and staff, your colleagues at The UWI thank you on behalf
of a grateful region and wish you the very best as you continue to
deliver on your mandate.