PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Senator Dominic Smith, minister of public administration and artificial intelligence is representing Trinidad and Tobago at the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Regional Development Forum for the Americas 2026 (RDF-AMS) and the regional workshop on Regulatory Innovation and Sandbox being held in Cartagena, Colombia, from June 16–18, 2026.
The forum, hosted by the ITU in collaboration with Colombia’s Communications Regulation Commission (CRC), brings together ministers, regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the Americas under the theme “Universal, Meaningful and Affordable Connectivity for an Inclusive and Sustainable Digital Future.”
In his address, minister Smith emphasised that the outcomes of the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25) are already being translated into action in Trinidad and Tobago.
“Across government, we are investing in digital infrastructure, expanding digital skills, strengthening cybersecurity and harnessing artificial intelligence to build a more inclusive digital society,” minister Smith noted. The five regional initiatives adopted for the Americas, focused on resilient infrastructure, digital inclusion, innovation, cybersecurity and enabling regulatory frameworks, align closely with Trinidad and Tobago’s national digital transformation agenda.
Highlighting efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure, minister Smith pointed to the development of Trinidad and Tobago’s new national Data Centre, expansion of GovNeTT infrastructure, public Wi-Fi initiatives and enhanced emergency telecommunications planning.
Minister Smith also underscored the government’s focus on digital skills development through programmes such as Future Ready TT, LearnTT, Tech4Girls, ICTs4Seniors, AI Centres and TTWiFi.
Further, the minister highlighted the recent launch of the AI Academy, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC), and CAF, as a strategic investment in workforce readiness and national competitiveness.
Trinidad and Tobago continues to position itself as one of the Caribbean’s leading digital transformation jurisdictions, becoming the first Caribbean country to establish a dedicated ministry with responsibility for Artificial Intelligence, while advancing initiatives to expand digital access, build AI capabilities and strengthen digital trust.
Recognising the unique challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), minister Smith called for stronger regional collaboration in areas such as cybersecurity, AI governance, digital skills development, disaster resilience and digital public infrastructure.
Minister Smith also highlighted Trinidad and Tobago’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Digital Public Infrastructure through initiatives such as TT Pass, GovLink TT and VerifyTT, which are designed to improve service delivery, trusted digital identity and secure digital transactions across government.
“For small island states, digital transformation is central to economic competitiveness, public service delivery and national resilience. Trinidad and Tobago is committed to building the infrastructure, skills and partnerships required to thrive in the digital age,” minister Smith said. Government of Trinidad and Tobago remains committed to working with the ITU, the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and regional partners to advance an inclusive, secure and people-centred digital future.
Discussions at RDF-AMS 2026 will inform ongoing national efforts to accelerate digital transformation, strengthen cybersecurity resilience, expand digital inclusion and harness artificial intelligence to support sustainable economic growth and improved public service delivery in Trinidad and Tobago.