About

About COTE 2026

The Conference on the Economy (COTE) is an annual flagship event of the Department of Economics at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. COTE provides a platform for researchers, policymakers, industry professionals, students, and members of the wider community to come together to examine the economic and social issues shaping Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean, and the wider Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

At its core, COTE seeks to connect knowledge with action. The conference provides an opportunity for researchers to share evidence and new ideas, while creating space for meaningful dialogue among the stakeholders who shape economic policy and development. By bringing these perspectives together, COTE aims to encourage informed discussion, strengthen understanding of the challenges facing the region, and contribute to the search for practical and sustainable solutions.

COTE 2026, themed “Exploring New Opportunities for the Blue, Green and Orange Economy in the Caribbean and SIDS for Sustainable Development,” focuses on the opportunities available to Caribbean economies as they navigate a rapidly changing global, environmental, and social landscape.

For small island economies, sustainable development requires more than responding to existing challenges. It requires identifying new opportunities, building resilience, diversifying economic activity, and finding innovative ways to leverage the region’s natural, human, and cultural resources.

COTE 2026 therefore brings together diverse perspectives to explore how the Blue, Green, and Orange Economies can contribute to sustainable and inclusive development across the Caribbean and SIDS. Discussions will consider not only the opportunities associated with these emerging areas, but also the geopolitical, environmental, economic, and social challenges that may influence their development.

The conference is organised around six broad areas:

  • Geopolitical and Economic Shifts
  • Environmental and Climate Challenges
  • Social and Demographic Trends
  • The Blue Economy: Where Did the Buccoo Go?
  • The Green Economy: What’s Your Footprint?
  • The Orange Economy: The Multiplier of Machel

Through research presentations, discussions, and engagement with stakeholders, COTE 2026 seeks to foster dialogue that moves beyond identifying challenges towards exploring opportunities and actionable pathways for a more resilient, diversified, and sustainable Caribbean.

Join us as we explore how the region can harness its economic, environmental, and cultural assets to shape a sustainable future.