Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal. Wednesday, August 05, 2026—In a historic first, The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Global Campus will host an inaugural Climate Conference in Grenada from April 7-9, 2027.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Isle of Spice, this Caribbean led, global conference will bring together thought leaders, practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and changemakers to explore innovative solutions towards achieving a more climate-resilient future under the theme "Towards a Climate Smart Future: Resilience | Innovation | Adaptation”.
The brainchild of Deputy Principal of The UWI Global Campus, Dr Emily Dick-Forde, the conference aims to stimulate interdisciplinary dialogue, while highlighting ground-breaking research and practical, scalable solutions to the Caribbean's distinctive climate challenges.
Through knowledge exchange, collaboration, and strategic partnerships, the conference will seek to produce actionable recommendations, strengthen regional capacity, and contribute meaningfully to building a more resilient and sustainable Caribbean.
Leading the exceptional lineup of expertise as Keynote Speaker will be globally renowned climate change guru Dr James Fletcher, whose bold ideas on sustainable energy, climate change, water policy, public policy and agriculture have cemented his position as an expert in climate-related matters that impact Small Island Developing States. Also presenting as Featured Speakers will be Dr Evangeline Inniss‑Springer, Director of the Disaster Risk Reduction Centre at The University of the West Indies, and Dr Patricia Northover, Critical Development Economist and Senior Research Fellow at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES), The University of the West Indies, Mona. They will be speaking on the topics Resilient Communities: Livelihoods and Infrastructure, and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in a Changing Climate respectively.
The highly anticipated hybrid event (in-person and virtual) is currently open for Research Paper, Poster, and Oral Presentation submissions. The “Call for Submissions” with full guidelines, themes and submission deadlines is currently available on the conference website below:
https://global.uwi.edu/climate-conference-2027/submissions
Sub themes to be explored include:
- A Just Transition to Climate Resilient Communities
- Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security in a Changing Climate
- Blue Economy and Coastal Adaptation Strategies
- Sustainable Finance and Sustainability Reporting
- Climate Education and Youth Engagement through Culture & Sport
- Climate Science, Climate Data, AI & Smart Technologies
- Policy, Governance, Leadership and Regional Cooperation for Climate Resilience
- Climate Literacy, Justice and Equity
- Innovations in Renewable Energy and Green Technologies
- Circular Economy & Zero Waste Strategies
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Francis O. Severin, welcomes this flagship conference: “Our Inaugural Climate Conference in Grenada will be tangible and living testimony of the fundamental thrust and values of the Global Campus and its predecessors.” He urged, “Our philosophy of leaving no one behind is truly encapsulated by the fundamental and sub-themes of the conference, not merely in an ideological way; indeed, this conference will address the very essence of our contemporary livelihoods and existence, and those of posterity.”
We invite you to visit our website at https://global.uwi.edu/climate-conference-2027 and to join us in shaping the future of climate resilience in the Caribbean and beyond.
About The University of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has played a crucial role in Caribbean development for over 75 years, consistently contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people across the region.
Established in 1948 as a university college of London in Jamaica, with just 33 medical students, UWI has grown into an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students. Today, it boasts five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda, and its Global Campus, along with international centres in partnership with universities across North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the leading university in the Caribbean, it is home to the largest pool of intellect and expertise in the region, dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing both the Caribbean and the wider world.
Validated by its inclusion in the Times Higher Education (THE) annual rankings since 2018, The UWI has affirmed its position as one of the top universities globally. It stands out as the only English-speaking institution in the Caribbean featured in four of THE's prestigious ranking lists. The World University Rankings evaluate over 2,000 research-focused universities worldwide, while the Golden Age University Rankings highlight institutions established between 50 and 80 years ago. The Latin America Rankings focus specifically on universities within Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, the Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This recognition has also springboarded the establishment of The UWI’s International School for Development Justice (ISD), a global online graduate business school aimed at preparing future leaders for sustainable development.
The UWI is an SDG-engaged university consistently recognised among the best in the world. Discover more at www.uwi.edu.
