“A diversified energy matrix is required” – PM Phillips urges greater US-Caribbean collaboration

Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has emphasised the need for Caribbean nations to diversify their energy resources and attract greater United States investments to strengthen energy security, support economic growth and advance regional development.

He made these remarks at the US-Caribbean Dialogue hosted by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in Washington DC on Thursday. The meeting brought together high-level delegations from 15 Caribbean countries and the Dominican Republic to address shared priorities in energy, economic development, infrastructure, disaster response, health, and security.
Delivering his remarks, the PM highlighted the importance of stronger institutional and technical capacity, enhanced coordination and public-private partnerships in addressing the region’s growing energy demands.
“Energy security is a cornerstone of the region’s prosperity and sustainable growth. As energy demand increases across the region, a diversified energy matrix is required, utilising all energy resources available,” he stated.
PM Phillips went on to identify energy diversification, logistics, critical and digital infrastructure, and the transfer of innovative technologies as key areas in which Caribbean nations could benefit from increased US investment.
In welcoming greater participation by US companies in energy development across the Caribbean, the PM pointed to the existing investments in Guyana’s oil and gas as well as wider energy sectors as examples of the opportunities available.
He also underscored the significance of the economic relationship between the US and the Caribbean, noting that the US remains the region’s largest trading partner and source of foreign direct investment.
“This partnership offers tremendous opportunities for sustained economic growth in the region,” Phillips stated.
He further referenced the US-Guyana Investment Forum, held in Washington in July 2026, as a reflection of the countries’ shared commitment to strengthening commercial ties.
Turning his attention to infrastructure resilience, the PM highlighted the growing importance of protecting critical national assets from natural disasters and criminal threats.
“Critical infrastructure is quickly becoming the backbone of our economies and national security and must be protected from natural disasters and criminal actors,” he stated.
In this regard, PM Phillips welcomed partnerships aimed at expanding access to trusted digital infrastructure suppliers through competitive financing and capacity building.
The PM also stressed the importance of continued investment in disaster preparedness and response, particularly given the vulnerabilities faced by Caribbean countries. He emphasised the need for stronger healthcare systems and greater collaboration in health security to improve the region’s ability to respond to public health challenges.

Regional security
On regional security, PM Phillips highlighted the persistent threats posed by transnational organised crime, narcotics trafficking and the illicit flow of firearms, stressing that these challenges require collective action.
Guyana’s commitment to addressing these threats through regional and international partnerships was also highlighted, along with the country’s role as a founding member of the Shield of the Americas and the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition earlier this year.
The PM noted that Guyana is not only building on these commitments through tangible areas of cooperation with the United States but is also strengthening the region’s collective capacity.
“Guyana looks forward to engaging in constructive dialogue that strengthens our collective capacity to address challenges while unlocking new opportunities for regional growth and development,” Phillips asserted.
This call by the Guyanese PM for increased US investments in the region comes as the US Government announced more than US$340 million in funding for Caribbean and Central American initiatives focused on digital connectivity, healthcare and regional security.
PM Phillips was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud during the event.