A senior executive of CIBC Caribbean has reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to accelerating climate-resilient development using blended finance to unlock capital to support the region’s sustainable future.

“We are in one of the most vulnerable regions in the world. At CIBC Caribbean we recognise that investing in climate resilience and sustainable development is not optional — it is critical,” Gillian Charles-Gollop, CIBC’s executive director and head, corporate banking and sustainable finance, said during a panel discussion at the 2025 Caribbean Investment Forum held at Montego Bay Convention Centre July 29–31.

“Blended finance is allowing us to unlock capital, manage risk, and deliver large-scale impact in sectors like renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. These aren’t competing priorities — both are vital for energy security, food security, and long-term economic stability,” Charles-Gollop argued.

She also stressed the need to rethink traditional models of investment and partnership.

“The future of finance demands bold thinking. We need to stop looking at development financing through a purely traditional lens. Blended finance is about combining strengths — public and private, concessional and commercial — to drive real transformation. There is more that connects us than separates us,” Charles-Gollop told the panel discussion held under the theme ‘Financing the Future – Blended Capital for a Green Caribbean’.

Citing the bank’s leadership in major sustainable financing deals, Charles-Gollop highlighted recent landmark transactions, including the 2022 Barbados Blue Financing and the 2024 $300-million Barbados Debt for Climate financing initiative. These were made possible through strategic partnerships with The Nature Conservancy, Inter-American Development Bank, and European Investment Bank with the support of private financial institutions, including CIBC Caribbean.

“Those efforts illustrate the catalytic potential of blended capital to generate savings for governments, support marine conservation, and expand access to green infrastructure,” the bank said in a news release.

Charles-Gollop told the panel discussion that CIBC Caribbean’s environmental, social, and governance strategy is the foundation of its approach and emphasised the bank’s commitment to supporting climate action through innovative solutions and strong partnerships.

“The time for action is now, and it will take all hands on deck. Climate change doesn’t recognise borders — it affects us all. The Caribbean can and must lead with innovation, with partnership, and with a relentless focus on sustainability,” she insisted.

The investment forum brought together global investors, policymakers, and development leaders to spotlight high-potential investment opportunities across key growth sectors, including sustainable agriculture, green economy, digital transformation, and transportation logistics.

CIBC Caribbean, regarded as a regional leader in sustainable finance and corporate banking, supported the forum as a gold sponsor.

In addition to Charles-Gollop the bank’s delegation included Annique Dawkins, head of country, Jamaica; Barrington Watson, director of corporate banking, Jamaica; as well as teams from the bank’s Kingston and Montego Bay offices.

The panel also included Caryl Bowers, director, projects department, Caribbean Development Fund; Karen Darbasie, group CEO Republic Financial Holdings Limited; Carlos Linares, executive president, CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean; and Katrin Böhning, head of cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, OECS and Caricom/Cariforum.