, while seeking to understand the inherent risks so as to acquire clear approaches to containing these risks. in this regard, the bank of england ( boe ) has been in the vanguard of the evolution of digital currency. in march of this year, the boe launched its fintech accelerator programme which aims to share developments, trends and insights, to ensure that the boe is engaged with different fintech firms and to enable firms with an interest in fintech to network with a view to supporting the development of the sector. to this end, they recently tested 3 / 5 bis central bankers'speeches the use of distributed ledger technology, which aims to make cross - border payments and the movement of currencies more immediate. the boe has also collaborated to test an artificial intelligence system that allows for detecting abnormalities in financial transactions and for analysing the quality of regulatory data input, as well as recently disclosing its forthcoming version of a real - time gross settlement ( rtgs ) payment system that will be compatible with distributed ledger technology. this mode of experimentation by central banks is reflected across the globe. in china research and trial runs on the prospect of issuing its own digital currency have not only been conducted, but a digital currency institute has been established with a research focus on the use of distributed ledger technology and fintech. of note, a recently published bis study posited the view that whereas cash is the only means by which the public presently holds central bank money, in the future central banks will probably have to decide whether to issue retail or wholesale central bank cryptocurrencies. the cambridge centre for alternative finance indicated that 20 percent of central banks surveyed expect to be using blockchain technology by 2019. if central banks issue cryptocurrencies, it allows the public to hold these liabilities in digital form. this raises the concern of universal accessibility and whether central banks ’ settlement accounts should remain available for a limited set of entities, namely banks, or more widely accessed by individuals? beyond these types of decisions, the consensus by the major central banks that have tested these operations is that distributed ledger technology is not yet mature enough for current adoption. furthermore implications for monetary policy, payment execution and net clearing and settlement – are yet to be fully assessed. in reality, no one yet knows what the social and economic payoffs to these realities will be. it is conceptually interesting to fathom an alternative future, such as one in which there is complete disintermediation of

and economic growth, ensuring that future generations inherit a stable and thriving planet. 1 / 3 bis - central bankers'speeches i would like to express my gratitude to the distinguished experts who will be sharing their knowledge and insights on this critical topic. your expertise enriches our understanding and empowers us to make informed decisions for the benefit of our nation and the broader global community. our panellists and moderator for the keynote discussion are : jennifer doherty - bigara, senior climate change specialist, inter - american development bank ( idb ) leslie gittens, multi - country manager ( caribbean ), united nations global compact donna wellington, managing director, barbados and the eastern caribbean, cibc firstcaribbean international bank torsten elhers, senior financial expert, international monetary fund ( imf ) - he will be joining virtually derek gibbs, climate finance specialist, environmental sustainability unit of the caribbean development bank ( cdb ) a€ “ moderator the panel is just the start, but over the course of the next five days, this esteemed annual review seminar will take us on a captivating journey through an array of pivotal economic themes. our presentations will delve into innovative financing, the labour market, the housing market, climate change and debt sustainability, trade, the financial sector, the external sector, health, behavioural assessments, and monetary policy. each of these areas holds immense significance in shaping the economic landscape not only for our beloved barbados, but also for small open economies worldwide. innovative financing has become a beacon of hope for economic growth and development. as we explore new avenues to secure funding and investment, we empower our nations to overcome obstacles and capitalise on emerging opportunities. the labour market lies at the heart of our economic prosperity. understanding its dynamics and challenges is crucial in crafting policies that promote inclusive growth, protect workers'rights, and nurture a skilled and adaptable workforce. the housing market is a fundamental pillar of societal stability and individual well - being. examining its intricacies will enable us to ensure access to affordable housing for all citizens while safeguarding against potential risks. climate change and debt sustainability are intertwined challenges that call for urgent attention. by addressing these issues head - on, we pave the way for sustainable and resilient economies that can weather the storms of environmental and economic uncertainty. trade forms the backbone of global economic interconnectedness. our discussions on this topic will explore ways to foster international partnerships, facilitate exports, and unlock the full potential