Saint Lucia will host the Caribbean Investment Summit 2026 (CIS26) from May 6-9, bringing more than 300 delegates to the island for high‑level discussions on the future of investment migration and global capital mobility.
The announcement was made at a press conference last week by Tourism and Investment Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire, alongside CIP Unit CEO Mc Claude Emmanuel, CIP Board Chairman Julian Charles, and Stachio Williams, CEO of Open Interactive, the summit’s organisers.
Hilaire said the summit comes at a key time for the industry, with new regulations, shifting markets, and increased scrutiny moulding the operations of Citizenship by Investment Programmes (CIPs) across the region.
He noted that while Saint Lucia’s CIP contributes under 10 percent of national revenue, in some territories the figure reaches 50 percent. Locally, CIP funds support infrastructure, security, health services, and roadworks.
The minister stressed that Saint Lucia continues to prioritise robust due diligence and cooperation with international partners, and noted the emergence of a regional regulatory body to improve oversight and harmonisation across Caribbean programmes.
“We are very cognisant of the fact that the Citizenship by Investment Programme requires us to partner with our International partners to ensure that the programme does not pose any risk to them,” Hilaire said.
CIP Unit CEO Emmanuel said Saint Lucia, though the youngest regional programme, has strengthened its governance and market visibility over the past decade. He added that CIS26 will showcase the island not only as a citizenship jurisdiction but as a destination for investment and business development.
At least four prime ministers have confirmed attendance: Saint Lucia’s Philip J. Pierre, Antigua and Barbuda’s Gaston Browne, Grenada’s Dickon Mitchel and St Kitts and Nevis’ Terrance Drew.
CIP Board Chairman Julian Charles said the region is entering a new phase of regulatory convergence, with governments moving toward clearer frameworks and stronger coordination. He said the summit will allow policymakers, regulators, and industry participants to examine reforms and share solutions.
Open Interactive reported strong international interest from North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. CIS26 will close on May 9 during the Caribbean Fusion night of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival.
“This is the only place really where the Caribbean programmes come together in one forum, and anyone who has an interest in working with the programmes … or anyone who actually wants to invest in the Caribbean region, it is important to be at this forum at this particular point in time,” said Stachio Williams, CEO of Open Interactive.
Summit discussions will cover market evolution, transparency and accountability in the age of AI, risk and reputation management, innovations in investment options and global connectivity.
