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Efforts are on to regulate the use of drones in Barbados. Key stakeholders gathered recently for the Inaugural Caribbean Drone Symposium, hosted by the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES) at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus. The February 10 – 12, event provided a pioneering symposium to explore the transformative potential of drone technology.

Under the theme, "Shifting Paradigms on Drones for Environmental Resilience," the event brought together regional and international stakeholders to discuss the transformative potential of drone technology for environmental sustainability and socio-economic development in the Caribbean. Experts engaged in critical discussions on drone applications in sargassum seaweed management, aviation policies, civilian operations, and drone-based entrepreneurship.

Deputy Principal of The UWI Cave Hill, Professor Winston Moore, emphasized the importance of drone technology for climate adaptation and disaster response. “Drones have become indispensable in sectors such as environmental monitoring, disaster response, agriculture, coastal resilience, and security. With the increasing climate-related challenges faced by the Caribbean, drones are crucial tools in monitoring coastal erosion, assessing damage from natural disasters, and gathering real-time data for informed decision-making,” he stated.

Director of CERMES Professor David Yawson,  highlighted that the symposium met its goal of fostering regional dialogue and building a foundation for future collaborations.

“This symposium was well-received, and participants were glad to be part of this inaugural regional event on drone technology and environmental resilience,” he noted.

He noted among key conclusions was that the event  should not be a one-time occurrence but rather an annual or biennial event. Future editions should include exhibitions that showcase the latest drone technologies and trends, as well as workshops that provide practical, hands-on activities relevant to drone applications.

A major takeaway from the symposium was the urgent need for institutional and academic leadership in drone technology. Participants highlighted the regulatory uncertainties that operators face throughout the Caribbean, as well as the limited access to essential services such as technical training and data analysis. To address these issues, CERMES proposed the establishment of a Caribbean Drone Hub to lead the formalization of drone operations, the evolution of regulations, and the development of applications that benefit society. The Hub will serve as a collaborative platform, bringing together governments, practitioners, and academic institutions to navigate challenges and opportunities in drone technology. Additionally, a regional drone network will be created under the Hub to foster knowledge exchange and cooperation among drone operators and users.

There was also consensus that future symposiums should explore the possibility of rotating host countries to ensure broader regional participation and engagement.
The success of this symposium underscores the Caribbean’s growing interest in drone technology as a critical tool for sustainability and development. The UWI Cave Hill Campus, through CERMES, is committed to leading regional efforts in research, education, and policy development to advance drone applications in environmental resilience.