CANTO 2026 Brings Caribbean ICT Leaders to Punta Cana

CANTO 2026 is bringing government ministers, regulators, telecommunications operators, technology companies and investors to Punta Cana from August 9–12 for discussions on how the Caribbean can strengthen digital infrastructure and compete in the global technology economy.

The 41st Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition of CANTO, the Caribbean telecommunications and ICT trade association, is being held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino under the theme “Elevate the Caribbean: From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness.” CANTO describes itself as a regional association focused on innovation, technology, policy collaboration and the development of a connected Caribbean.

Ministers and Technology Leaders Gather in Punta Cana

Thirteen government ministers are confirmed to participate, with portfolios covering telecommunications, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, energy, innovation and public administration. Delegations are expected from Anguilla, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Maarten, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The conference brings together policymakers and private-sector executives at a time when Caribbean economies are seeking to expand broadband access, strengthen digital services and develop technology-based industries. CANTO’s membership and conference activities connect government officials, telecom operators, vendors, regulators and regional and international agencies.

Liberty Caribbean is serving as the headline sponsor, while One Communications and ClearSky Technologies are supporting the event as Gold Sponsors.

AI, Cybersecurity and Connectivity Take Center Stage

The four-day program includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, technical sessions, networking activities and a trade exhibition featuring products and services from across the ICT sector.

Key discussions include artificial intelligence and digital transformation, cybersecurity and digital sovereignty, broadband infrastructure, digital infrastructure financing, smart energy systems, regulation and public-private partnerships. The agenda also addresses digital skills, inclusive access and efforts to expand participation in the digital economy.

Confirmed speakers include Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau at the International Telecommunication Union; Ambassador Abhinav Puri of the Federation of International Consular Chambers of Africa; and Professor Therese Chambers of the University of Technology, Jamaica.

The technology exhibition features organizations including Liberty Caribbean, PXS, ARIN, One Source Suppliers, Ookla, 6D Technologies, LACNIC, Calix, GSMA and Summa Networks, giving participants an opportunity to examine technologies and services aimed at expanding the region’s digital capabilities.

New Award Recognizes Digital Leadership

A new CANTO Ministerial Award for ICT Leadership and Digital Transformation is also being introduced at the conference. The award recognizes government leadership in areas including digital policy, inclusive access, national transformation, investment and infrastructure development.

CANTO’s award program identifies five areas of digital excellence, including digital policy, inclusive empowerment, national transformation, regional and global influence, and investment and infrastructure acceleration. The organization says the initiative is intended to recognize governments turning digital strategies into measurable outcomes.

For the Dominican Republic, hosting the conference places Punta Cana at the center of regional discussions about the next stage of Caribbean digital development. The event’s focus extends beyond telecommunications infrastructure to technologies and policies that increasingly influence government services, business competitiveness, investment and economic growth.

As CANTO’s 41st annual conference brings public and private-sector leaders together, the discussions in Punta Cana are expected to focus on how Caribbean countries can move from expanding connectivity toward building more competitive and digitally inclusive economies.