The Honourable. E. Jay Saunders, Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy, represented the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Regional Workshop on Strengthening Digital Resilience, held in Belize City, Belize, from June 2–3, 2026.
Hosted at the Grand Resort and Residences and convened by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in collaboration with the Government of Belize and the European Union (EU), the workshop brought together regional policymakers, technical experts, and international partners to advance collaboration on safeguarding critical government systems and ensuring the continuity of public services across the Caribbean.
Minister Saunders was specially invited to participate as a panellist in a Fireside Chat on “Political Commitment to Digital Resilience,” where he joined fellow regional leaders in emphasising the importance of strong political leadership, coordinated regional action, and strategic partnerships in building resilient digital infrastructures.
The workshop focused on strengthening the technical and policy foundations of digital resilience, including infrastructure requirements, data protection frameworks, and governance structures designed to safeguard national systems against disruption. Discussions were particularly relevant for Caribbean nations, which remain vulnerable to natural disasters impacting both physical and digital infrastructure.
A key highlight of the workshop was the exploration of the Data Embassy model, an innovative approach that enables countries to securely store encrypted copies of critical government data in trusted partner states, while retaining full sovereignty over that data. This model offers a practical solution to ensuring continuity of government operations and protecting sensitive information before, during, and after crises.
Sessions throughout the workshop examined:
The strategic role of data centres in national resilience
Institutional and governance frameworks for digital continuity
Legal considerations surrounding data sovereignty
Opportunities for adapting international best practices to the Caribbean context
Minister Saunders’ participation reflects the Turks and Caicos Islands Government’s continued commitment to advancing digital transformation and strengthening national resilience through regional cooperation.
The workshop will culminate in the development of the Declaration of Belize City, reinforcing a shared commitment among Caribbean nations to protect critical data assets and enhance digital resilience.
Hon. E. Jay Saunders stated, “A Data Embassy is an innovative cloud-based sovereign solution for governments that need to store their data offshore while maintaining control, resilience and continuity. For the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, this approach is highly relevant for several reasons, particularly as we transform into a 24×7 government. I was pleased to be invited to attend the Strengthening Digital Resilience conference in Belize, as it brought the Data Embassy product solution onto our radar.”
