Caribbean Regional Webinar: Private Sector Engagement in MHEWS - Preparing Caribbean Businesses for Hurricane Season and Global Disruptions

Organized with the support of the EU Global Gateway and CREWS.

Time

10:00-11:15 am AST

About

As the Caribbean enters another hurricane season against the backdrop of increasing global instability, businesses are facing a more complex risk environment than ever before. Supply chain disruptions, rising shipping costs, geopolitical tensions, inflation, cyber risks, extreme weather events, power interruptions, and climate-related hazards continue to affect operations, logistics, staffing, and business continuity across the region.

This webinar will provide practical, business-focused guidance to help companies strengthen preparedness, continuity, communication, and operational resilience within an increasingly interconnected and multi-hazard environment. The session will highlight immediate actions businesses can take to anticipate disruptions, strengthen supply chain resilience, improve decision-making through early warnings, protect critical operations, and recover faster from shocks affecting both local businesses and regional trade systems.

Programme

Welcome and Opening Remarks: Sarah Wade-Apicella, Global Coordinator, ARISE Private Sector Alliance & Partnerships Advisor, UNDRR and Martin Cave – Chairperson, CARICHAM

The Caribbean Business Risk Landscape: What Businesses Should Be Preparing For: Andria Grosvenor, Planning & Business Development Manager, CDEMA

Supply Chain Resilience in an Increasingly Uncertain Global Environment: Kostas Stergiopoulos, Head of Group Security, Nestlé

Strengthening Business Continuity Before Disruptions Occur: Lizra Fabien, Technical Advisor on Business Continuity and Private Sector Resilience, UNDRR

Panel: Turning Early Warnings into Early Business Action

• How businesses can better use and contribute to forecasts and warning information
• Strengthening coordination between businesses, business support organizations, and national authorities
• The role of Chambers, industry associations and ARISE Networks in information dissemination and business support
• Positioning the private sector as an active partner within resilience and MHEWS systems
• Practical examples of private sector resilience and coordination during hazard events

Panelists

• Dr. Arlene Laing - Coordinating Director of the Caribbean Meteorological Organization TBC on how businesses can better action and contribute to forecasts and warning information
• Olive Strachan, MBE – President, Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce and ARISE Dominica network leader on the role of business support organizations in leading and connecting resilience initiatives
• Gilbert Williams, CEO, Ethniv Inc. on technology solutions and practical examples of private sector resilience during hazard events.