By Prior Beharry
PRIME Minister Dr Keith Rowley was among a number of Caribbean leaders who met with US Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday in Washington, DC.
A release from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) stated that the CARICOM leaders had open discussions with Harris on matters related to energy security, finance and food security, all of which are closely integrated.
It stated, “With respect to energy security, the potential of the hydrocarbon resources in the region was discussed with a focus on how these resources can be part of the solution to the current global difficulties.”
At the IX Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles in June, the US, CARICOM and the Dominican Republic agreed to the establishment of three High-Level Action Committees, to develop near-term solutions to three challenges in the region, the release stated.
It stated, “Since June nearly a dozen technical and high-level meetings have been held to formulate action plans in the areas of energy security, finance and food security.
Today’s meeting also focused on reviewing progress to date in these critical action areas.
“Concerning energy security, the US Government has committed to developing technical assistance packages to prepare viable energy projects that are attractive to investors, hosting an energy procurement orientation visit and a regional trade mission for Caribbean officials.”
Prime Minister Rowley is the co-chair of the energy security committee.
Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young accompanied the Prime Minister to the meeting.
The region was also represented at the meeting by CARICOM Chairman President of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi, Prime Minister of Barbados, the Hon Mia Mottley co-chair of the finance committee; President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali co-chair of the food security committee; and
President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic was also present.
Prime Minister Rowley and Minister Young also met with David Turk, US Deputy Secretary of Energy at the US Department of Energy to progress discussions related to Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector.
