April 2014: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) published results of the Pacific and Caribbean Conference on Effective and Sustainable Regulation of Energy and Water Services. The conference aimed to promote South-South cooperation on regulation of energy and water utilities services in small island developing states (SIDS) in the Pacific and the Caribbean.

The conference took place from 25-27 March 2014, in Nadi, Fiji. During the conference, participants shared experiences of relevant energy and water sector policies, laws and regulations in SIDS, and ways to promote South-South cooperation in policy, law and regulation of the energy and water sectors.

The meeting had sessions such as: regulating electricity and water services in SIDS; frameworks for energy and water policy; the autonomous regulator model – single sector regulators and multi-sector regulators; low-discretion models – concession contracts and regulation, and statutes and regulation; multi-state and regional regulation; choices of regulatory model, and regulatory design and establishment, and challenges in running a regulatory office; increasing access to energy and water supplies; efficient, affordable and sustainable pricing and tariff regulation for public and private sector entities; regulations for energy service providers; regulations for water service providers; engagement of consumers and civil society; and the water-energy nexus. [Pacific and Caribbean Conference on Effective and Sustainable Regulation of Energy and Water Services: Conference Materials]