Willemstad/Philipsburg:--- The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) hosted the 65th Bi-Annual Meeting of the CARICOM Central Bank Governors on November 13–14, 2025, at the Renaissance Hotel. Chaired by CBCS President Richard Doornbosch, the meeting brought together governors from eleven Caribbean jurisdictions to discuss regional economic developments and strengthen the resilience of the Caribbean’s financial systems. The central theme, “Resilience through Transformation”, guided deliberations on the global challenges, including those posed by climate risk.
On November 13, the CBCS hosted the 38th Adlith Brown Memorial Lecture - a highlight of the 56th Annual Monetary Studies Conference (AMSC). This year’s keynote speaker was Jeanette Semeleer, President of the Centrale Bank van Aruba. In her address, titled “Aruba, From Isla Inutil to Isla Innovativo,” Mrs. Semeleer drew on Aruba’s experience with external shocks to emphasize that true economic resilience is not merely bouncing back, but also bouncing forward.
Governors underscored the importance of developing green finance taxonomies and outlined the key steps toward establishing a Regional Green Financial Taxonomy. As part of this initiative, the World Bank/IFC and CARICOM will engage stakeholders, including financial institutions, regulators, and supervisory bodies, to ensure that the taxonomy reflects the region’s specific needs and context.
The Governors agreed to move beyond the proof of concept of the CARICOM Payment and Settlement System (CAPSS) by starting a pilot involving The Bahamas, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and the ECCU as participating jurisdictions. CAPSS is being designed to deliver instant local currency payments across participating CARICOM countries.
They also highlighted the potential of digital innovation, particularly fast payment systems and digital payments, to advance financial inclusion, improve efficiency, and facilitate cross-border
1 Mrs. Jeanette Semeleer (Centrale Bank van Aruba), Dr. John Rolle (Central Bank of The Bahamas), Dr. Kevin Greenidge (Central Bank of Barbados), Mr. Kareem Michael (Central Bank of Belize), Mr. Richard Doornbosch (Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten), Dr. Timothy Antoine (Eastern Caribbean Central Bank), Dr. Gobind Ganga (Bank of Guyana), Mr. Ronald Gabriel (Banque de la République d’Haïti), Mr. Richard Byles (Bank of Jamaica), Mr. Maurice Roemer (Centrale Bank van Suriname), Mr. Larry Howai (Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago)
transactions across the Caribbean. They emphasized that, regardless of the technology adopted, public institutions must continue to play a central role in safeguarding the public’s interest.
Working groups and technical committees presented their reports, including updates from the Caribbean Economic Research Team (CERT), the Caribbean Group of Banking Supervisors, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Group, the Regional Reserves Managers Group, the Central Bank Communication Working Group, and the HR Directors Working Group. These updates reinforced the importance of sustained cross-border collaboration in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving global financial environment.
Another highlight of the AMSC was the Governors’ Panel Discussion “The Changing Role of the U.S. Dollar Amid Rising Stablecoins: Implications for Caribbean Resilience”. President Richard Doornbosch hosted the panel. It featured Governor Kareem Michael from the Central Bank of Belize, Governor John Rolle of the Central Bank of The Bahamas, and Governor Timothy Antoine of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. The Governors explored the evolving role of the U.S. dollar amidst the rise of stablecoins and the implications for the Caribbean.
The Governors also examined the cybersecurity challenges facing central banks. They stressed the significance of strengthening cyber resilience and participated in an in-depth masterclass.
As the meeting concluded, Governors reaffirmed their collective commitment to deepening regional integration, enhancing financial stability, and advancing transformative initiatives across the Caribbean. President Richard Doornbosch expressed his appreciation for the constructive engagement, noting that unity and collective action are essential to navigating global uncertainties and external shocks.
The Governors will reconvene in May 2026 for the 66th Bi-Annual Meeting of the CARICOM Central Bank Governors under the chairmanship of Governor Kareem Michael of the Central Bank of Belize.
Willemstad, November 14, 2025
CENTRALE BANK VAN CURACAO EN SINT MAARTEN