Caribbean Countries Must Work Together to Address Energy Problem – US President

President of the United States, Barack Obama, says Caribbean countries must work together to immediately address the pressing problem of high energy costs within the region.

“Expensive, often unreliable and carbon intensive energy is going to be one of the greatest barriers to development in the Caribbean,” he noted.

The President was addressing the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)-US Summit at the University of the West Indies, Regional Headquarters, on April 9.

“This region has some of the highest energy costs in the world.  Caribbean countries are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and we have to act now,” the President asserted.

He said the United States is already partnering with the Caribbean to tackle the issue through its Caribbean Energy Security Initiative, which aims to help move the region towards cleaner and more affordable energy.

“This is an example of large countries and small countries having to work together, because without collective action, we’re not going to be able to address these challenges,” he said.

The President also informed that during the talks, new partnerships were discussed, “including a new Fund to mobilise private investment in clean energy projects in the Caribbean and in Central America.”

“I am confident that given the commitment of the Caribbean countries, and the US commitment, that this in an issue in which we can make great strides over the short term and even greater strides over the long term,” he said.

The summit was one of the scheduled activities of the President’s short visit to Jamaica. He arrived in the island on April 8.

Earlier this morning, the President held bilateral talks with the Jamaican Government at Jamaica House. He also hosted a Youth Forum at the University of the West Indies.

The President will leave Jamaica later today for Panama to attend the Seventh Summit of the Americas.