Kingston to Host Regional Climate and Philanthropy Forum

Kingston to host regional climate discussions next month as Jamaica’s capital welcomes global, regional and diaspora leaders for a major forum on climate resilience and sustainable development in the Caribbean.

From February 9–12, the Caribbean Philanthropic Alliance (Caribbean Philanthropic Alliance) will host the Future Forward Forum. The event brings together funders, development institutions, private-sector leaders and civil-society organisations. At the same time, Caribbean Small Island Developing States continue to face rising climate, economic and social pressures.

As a result, the forum aims to rethink how funding and partnerships support Caribbean-led solutions. Topics include climate resilience, food security, gender equity, sustainable finance and systems change. Together, these discussions position Kingston as a growing hub for regional policy and financing conversations.

Kingston to Host Regional Climate Solutions Driven by Local Leadership

CARIPHIL designed the Future Forward Forum to shift how climate and development funding works in the Caribbean. Instead of top-down models, the focus remains on equity, local leadership and shared impact.

“Future Forward Forum is designed to mobilise philanthropic and blended finance for Caribbean-led climate and development solutions,” said Anthea McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer of CARIPHIL. “At the same time, it challenges global funding models to better reflect local priorities and lived realities.”

Importantly, the forum will strengthen ties between international funders and Caribbean implementers. By doing so, it reinforces the region’s role as a co-creator of solutions rather than a passive recipient of aid.

Regional Climate Dialogue Matters Now

Participants will work toward a shared agenda for stronger Caribbean collaboration. The goal is to improve how philanthropic capital flows across the region and to accelerate action at scale.

Key discussions will address climate-finance gaps facing Caribbean SIDS. In addition, sessions will highlight women-led resilience initiatives and strategies to support food security and sustainable livelihoods.

The forum will feature speakers and participating institutions from across the global development and philanthropy space. These include the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), Worldwide Initiatives for Grantmaker Support, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (W.K. Kellogg Foundation). Regional and local foundations, diaspora investors and social-impact leaders are also expected.

Furthermore, the agenda will explore diaspora capital, blended finance and innovative funding models. Sessions will also align regional priorities with the Sustainable Development Goals. Finally, discussions will examine philanthropy’s role in systems-level change ahead of major global moments, including the UN Climate Change Conference (COP-31).

By hosting the Future Forward Forum, Kingston strengthens its position as a centre for regional climate leadership, financing innovation and collaborative action. In doing so, the Caribbean moves closer to shaping a more resilient future on its own terms.