Caribbean-American Heritage Month: US reaffirms commitment to partnership with Caribbean on climate, energy security

…Asst Secretary says partnership integral for sustainability

Over two years after the United States-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030) was launched by US Vice President Kamala Harris; the US is reaffirming its commitment to the partnership that Guyana helped support.
On the occasion of Caribbean-American Heritage Month, United States Ambassador Brian Nichols, who serves as the Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere Affairs in the Department of State, reaffirmed his country’s deep interest in the region.

This interest, in fact, led to the two hemispheres forming a pact in 2022, for the US to make contributions to climate change mitigation and energy security. Guyana, which was at the table when the announcement was made of PACC 2030, has been a leading voice in the region on both subjects. According to Nichols, the US remains committed to playing its role in the US/Caribbean partnership.
“Our commitment to the Caribbean includes groundbreaking initiatives, such as the US/Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis or PACC 2030. Launched by the Vice President in 2022, PACC 2030 elevates US/Caribbean cooperation on climate adaptation, energy security and resilience for critical infrastructure and local economies.”
“From tackling climate change to empowering underserved populations and strengthening democracy, US/Caribbean cooperation paves the way for a more sustainable, equitable, prosperous and resilient future for our region. On behalf of the United States foreign affairs community, I wish you all a happy Caribbean -American Heritage Month,” Nichols said.

Nichols described the nations in the Caribbean as among of the United States’ closest neighbors. The official also recalled that many senior American officials have visited the region, including himself. In fact, Nichols visited Guyana in February to attend the opening of the 46th CARICOM Heads of Government meeting. As a matter of fact, Nichols previously served as the Director of the Office of Caribbean Affairs, coordinating U.S. policy toward 14 Caribbean countries, including U.S. efforts to re-establish democratic governance in Haiti.
“Our neighbors in the Caribbean are among our closest allies and friends and the ties between the United States and the Caribbean region are strong and growing stronger. This month, we reflect on and celebrate our close relationships and the many contributions people of Caribbean heritage make in the United States.”
“As Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs and a proud Caribbean American, I’ve had the pleasure of traveling to the Caribbean several times as has Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and senior officials from across the US Government,” Nichols further said.
PACC 2030 was designed to assist the Caribbean in a number of ways, including, crucially, access to development financing. This is a cause that President Dr Irfaan Ali has championed both as President and as the current Chairman of CARICOM.
During the launching, the US Vice President had said that this initiative will see the North American nation support the Caribbean nations in four particular ways. These include working with countries to identify new clean energy projects; providing technical assistance to make sure these projects are viable and appealing not only to the nations but also to investors; and bringing investors to the Caribbean on roadshows to showcase these projects.
“Through this partnership, we will support energy infrastructure and climate resilience projects at every stage of development, from beginning to end… and finally, we will improve access — and importantly — we will improve access to development financing, which will make these projects a reality. We will engage with the private sector at every stage of this work because, of course, their involvement is essential to making this productive and meaningful,” VP Harris had said.
Guyana has been vocal in its call for increased climate adaptation funding. One such occasion was earlier this year, when President Ali presided over a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) debate on the impact of climate change and food insecurity on the maintenance of international peace and security, he had reiterated this call. (G1)