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CASTRIES, Saint Lucia — Saint Lucian youth leader Naeem Philbert has achieved a significant regional milestone after being elected Co-Chair of the Caribbean Development Bank’s Future Leaders Network (FLN), becoming the youngest person ever to hold the position.

Philbert is also the youngest member of the current FLN cohort, according to information published by The Voice Saint Lucia. He becomes the first Saint Lucian and the first national of an Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) member country to serve as Co-Chair of the network.

The appointment places the young Saint Lucian in a major regional leadership role at a time when Caribbean institutions are placing increased emphasis on youth participation in development, policymaking and economic transformation.

As Co-Chair, Philbert is expected to help shape the strategic direction and collective work of the Future Leaders Network, promote engagement among members and strengthen the connection between Caribbean youth and the Caribbean Development Bank.

The CDB describes youth engagement as an important part of its regional development agenda, with programmes focused on leadership, employment, entrepreneurship, education and ensuring young people have meaningful opportunities to contribute to policy discussions.

Philbert already carries an impressive record of youth leadership.

He currently serves as Deputy CARICOM Youth Ambassador for Saint Lucia and previously served as a Youth Parliamentarian and President of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College Students’ Council. His experience also includes participation in regional youth policy forums and consultations involving Caribbean decision-makers.

The historic appointment represents another strong showing for Saint Lucian youth on the regional stage and provides Philbert with an opportunity to help influence conversations surrounding the future of Caribbean development.

For Saint Lucia, it is also a moment of national pride — with one of its young leaders now helping to represent the perspectives and aspirations of Caribbean youth within one of the region’s leading development institutions.

Congratulations to Naeem Philbert on a history-making achievement for Saint Lucia and the wider OECS.