Good morning, and welcome to Part II of AMCHAM T&T’s 2025 ESG Conference: People, Purpose & Progress – Activating the “S” in ESG.

It is both an honour and a privilege to open this important conversation today. I’m especially proud that our ESG Committee has chosen to shine a spotlight on the Social pillar—often the quiet sibling in the ESG trio, yet arguably the most human and impactful. While the “E” and “G” tend to dominate headlines and boardroom agendas, the “S” speaks to the heart of our businesses: our people, our communities, and the values that shape our collective future. Today, we bring it to the forefront—where it belongs.

At its core, the “S” in ESG is about people – how we treat our employees, how we engage with our communities, and how our actions either build equity or entrench inequality. It asks us: Are we creating workplaces that are safe, inclusive, and supportive? Or are we allowing discrimination, exclusion, and neglect to erode the very foundations of our progress?

Here in Trinidad and Tobago, we are, by nature, a people defined by warmth, resilience, and unity. Time and again, we see it – when neighbours rally together after a flood, when we celebrate national victories in cricket or football, or when we gather in festivals of faith and culture. Divali, Eid, Christmas, Easter, Spiritual Baptist Liberation Day, Phagwa, and Ramleela don’t just belong to one group; in some way, they belong to all of us. Even Carnival, our fetes, and yes – even our “bacchanal” – bring us together and remind us of how deeply patriotic and connected we are as Trinbagonians.

And yet, despite this strong foundation of unity, there are moments when our differences – particularly when there are conflicting ethics or values; culture and communication styles; resistance to change or power dynamics enter the conversation – place us on opposing sides. This is where the real danger lies. Because while we are, at heart, a generous and caring nation, discrimination rooted in racism, classism, sexism, and homophobia threatens to fracture that unity and undermine our shared humanity.

The impact is not abstract. When discrimination festers, it manifests in real and painful ways: rising crime and violence, corruption, bullying in schools, gender-based violence against women, deepening inequality, marginalization of vulnerable citizens, and even a lack of trust needed to confront issues like climate change. Many of our most pressing challenges are linked to the divisions we too often avoid confronting – those tied to race, class, sex, gender, or religion. If left unchecked, these divisions weaken the very social fabric that makes us proud to call ourselves Trinbagonians.

So, what does advancing the “S” look like in practice?

It could mean a company implementing equal pay for equal work, ensuring women are not left behind and families are stronger. It could mean creating mentorship programmes for young employees, especially those from underserved communities, so they see pathways to growth and leadership. It could mean investing in employee wellness – providing mental health support, flexible working arrangements, and training managers to recognize and address burnout.

It also means taking a stand against discrimination – educating teams about unconscious bias, creating safe spaces for every employee and other marginalize communities, and celebrating the diversity of our people rather than merely tolerating it. When workplaces lead with inclusion, employees bring their full selves to work. They are more innovative, more engaged, and more loyal.

This transformation must begin at the top. Leadership teams and boards should not be shaped by quotas alone, but by a deliberate commitment to assembling the right mix of skills, perspectives, and lived experiences. True diversity is not just about representation—it’s about equity in opportunity and excellence in execution. It means cultivating environments where every individual is genuinely considered, and where teams are built to challenge convention, drive innovation, and elevate governance. In this way, leadership evolves into a force that reflects not only who we are, but what we aspire to become: competent, inclusive, and visionary.

And this ripple effect extends beyond the workplace. When people experience acceptance and respect at work, they carry those behaviours into their homes and communities. Imagine a society where fairness and respect are not only enforced by rules and regulations but lived out daily in our choices and interactions. That is how we reduce violence. That is how we rebuild trust. That is how we create a nation made stronger by our differences – not divided by them.

At AMCHAM T&T, we believe advancing the “S” in ESG means embracing purpose-driven leadership – leadership that understands profitability and stewardship are not competing forces, but partners in driving sustainable growth. It is leadership that recognizes business success cannot exist in a vacuum – it must be tied to healthier communities, safer workplaces, and a society where every citizen can thrive.

And this isn’t just theory. We see it in action across our business community. bpTT, our Title Sponsor, has championed education and youth development through initiatives like bpTT Boost and STEM scholarships, helping to build a more skilled and empowered workforce. ANSA McAL, one of our Platinum Sponsors, has advanced gender equity, mentorship, healthcare, and disaster relief – showing how large conglomerates can use their reach to uplift communities. And bmobile, our Technology Partner, has worked to close the digital divide by investing in inclusion programmes that ensure underserved communities gain access to the tools and training needed to thrive in today’s economy. These are the kinds of actions that bring the “S” in ESG to life.

Today, we will go deeper into these conversations. You will hear about embedding social value into corporate DNA, advancing diversity and inclusion at the board level, making the business case for equity, and developing practical tools for measuring social impact in ESG reporting. These discussions will challenge us to think not only about policies, but about the culture shift we need within our organizations and, ultimately, across our society.

So, my ask of you today is this: let us commit to making inclusion, equity, and respect not just policies we comply with when required, but values we live out every day because they define who we are as a people. That is the path to true progress – for our organizations, our communities, and our nation.

Before I close, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to our sponsors for their leadership in advancing ESG and for walking this journey with us. And to all of you, thank you for being here, for engaging in this important dialogue, and for your commitment to action. I encourage you to take what you learn today, share it with your colleagues and leadership teams, and most importantly, put it into practice.

Together, we can advance People, Purpose, and Progress – and in doing so, build a safer, more inclusive, and more prosperous Trinidad and Tobago.

Thank you.