Cayman Islands Strengthens Regional Collaboration at OOCUR 20th Annual Conference
The Cayman Islands is reaffirming its commitment to strong, modern and effective utility regulation through its participation in the 20th Annual Conference of the Organisation of Caribbean Utility Regulators (OOCUR), currently being held in Trelawny, Jamaica from 27 April to 1 May 2026.
Minister for Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Rolston Anglin, and Chief Executive Officer of the Utility Regulation and Competition Office (URCO), Sonji Myles, along with members of the URCO team are representing the Cayman Islands at the regional forum, which brings together utility regulators, policymakers and technical experts from across the Caribbean and North America.
Hosted this year by Jamaica’s Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), the conference is being held at the Ocean Coral Spring and Ocean Eden Bay Resorts in Falmouth under the theme, “Navigating Caribbean Regulatory Challenges: Opportunities, Innovations and Collaborations.”
The event is the 20th annual conference held by OOCUR, which was established in 2002 to strengthen utility regulation and promote collaboration among Caribbean jurisdictions.
The conference programme addresses a wide range of critical issues shaping the future of utility regulation, including climate resilience, renewable energy integration, digital transformation, telecommunications regulation, and cybersecurity, as well as water security and sustainable infrastructure development.
Minister Anglin delivered an address at the opening of the conference, highlighting the central role of regulation in supporting economic resilience and sustainable development across small island states.
“For small island economies like ours, regulation is not simply a technical exercise — it is fundamental to economic stability, consumer protection and national development,” Minister Anglin said. “Participation in forums such as OOCUR allows the Cayman Islands to both contribute to and benefit from regional expertise, ensuring that we continue to strengthen our regulatory frameworks in a way that supports innovation, investment and resilience.”
Minister Anglin emphasised that the conference provides an important opportunity for jurisdictions to share best practices and develop practical solutions to common challenges, particularly in areas such as the adoption of renewable energy, digital connectivity and climate vulnerability.
“The Caribbean faces a unique set of challenges, but we also have significant opportunities — particularly in renewable energy and digital transformation,” he added. “Learning from our regional partners and global experts ensures that Cayman remains well-positioned to adopt forward-looking policies that deliver tangible benefits for our people.”
URCO CEO Sonji Myles underscored the value of the conference in building regulatory capacity and strengthening collaboration across the region.
“OOCUR plays a vital role in advancing regulatory excellence across the Caribbean by facilitating knowledge-sharing, training and strategic partnerships,” Mr. Myles said. “For the Cayman Islands, engaging in this forum allows us to stay at the forefront of regulatory developments, particularly in rapidly evolving areas such as energy transition, telecommunications and digital innovation.”
He added that the insights gained from the conference will directly support URCO’s ongoing work to enhance regulatory oversight in the Cayman Islands.
Mr. Myles said, “The discussions taking place at this conference — from renewable energy integration to cybersecurity — are directly relevant to the work we are advancing at home. By learning from regional experiences and international best practices, we are better equipped to strengthen our regulatory framework, protect consumers and support sustainable economic growth.”
OOCUR is a non-profit, member-driven organisation that serves as a catalyst for improving utility regulation across the Caribbean. Its membership includes regulatory bodies from jurisdictions such as Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, the Bahamas and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, among others.
Since its establishment, OOCUR has played a key role in fostering cooperation among regulators, supporting research and training initiatives, and promoting transparent, stable and independent regulatory systems across the region.
Minister Anglin said, “The Cayman Islands’ participation in the OOCUR conference reflects Government’s continued commitment to strengthening regulatory institutions, enhancing economic resilience and ensuring that critical utility services — including energy, water and telecommunications — are delivered efficiently, sustainably and in the best interest of the public.”
