With small island developing states facing growing demands for climate resilience, infrastructure upgrades and social development, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is hosting its Sustainability Week conference for the first time in the Caribbean, as regional leaders seek to match investment capital with development projects across Latin America and the Caribbean.

More than 300 businesses from across the Caribbean and Latin America are attending the conference at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle Hotel in St Philip. Sustainability Week runs through Thursday and includes discussions on renewable energy, disaster resilience, infrastructure financing and private-sector investment opportunities across the Caribbean and Latin America.

Minister of Finance Ryan Straughn said Barbados was an ideal host because small island developing states face unique challenges in accessing financing.