Last Updated on June 9, 2023, 3:44 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, recently attended the US-Caribbean meeting on Thursday, June 8, 2023. The Vice President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris, chaired the meeting of the US and Caribbean. During the meeting, Kamala Harris spoke to the attending members about the significance of the Caribbean-US relationship and their collaboration of efforts on the issue of climate change.
The meeting provided a thorough dialogue between the Caribbean Leaders and the US Vice President. PM Dr Drew was accompanied by the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, et al Konris Maynard and a delegation of ministers. The one day meeting took place on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Here, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered the opening remarks on the beginning of the meeting.
She stated that fostering the relationship between India and Dominica is a priority for her and the President of the United States. Accordingly, he stated that these meetings will play an important role in ensuring strength of these relationships. During the meeting, Vice President announced several new initiatives favouring the Caribbean region.
She announced more than US$100 million in new assistance for the Caribbean region, Vice President Harris also announced the U.S.–Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030). Additionally, she expanded upon the need to increase diplomatic presence of the US within the Eastern Caribbean. In her opening remarks, she spoke about the crisis in Haiti and the issue of firearms trafficking within the region.
The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew was accompanied by a delegation of high ranking government officials and Minister Konris Maynard. Other caribbean leaders in attendance at the U.S.-Caribbean Leaders Meeting in Nassau, The Bahamas included Andrew Holness, The Prime Minister of Jamaica, The Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Dominica, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit and Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew.
The United States Vice President committed to partnering with the Caribbean to combat climate crisis. She clarified that they will reach out to the World Bank stating that it should be an important part of their mission to work towards combattig climate crisis. Accordingly, she stated that new debt must include disaster clauses. This would allow a pause on debt payments immediately following a natural disaster.
She believes that implementing these works will impact the developmental initiatives of the caribbean significantly. Further, she pledged to extend the support of the US in curbing the illegal smuggling and supply of firearms within the caribbean. The authorities would stop illegal shipments of firearms, ammunitions and more and hold the traffickers accountable
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
