Caribbean Leaders Engage US Congress In Strategic Discussions on Regional and Global Priorities

Source: Barbados Today
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley on Saturday was joined by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, President of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali, and Minister of Finance, of St Vincent and The Grenadines Camillo Gonsalves, for a bi-partisan meeting with a Congressional Delegation led by United States House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

This high-level engagement took place during Barbados’ celebration of its 58th Anniversary of Independence, 3rd Anniversary of the Republic, and the centenary of Shirley Chisholm’s birth.

The discussions spanned several critical areas of mutual interest, including:

Regional Security: Reinforcing efforts to maintain the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.

The Climate Crisis: Addressing the disproportionate impacts on Small Island Developing States and advocating for urgent global action.

Access to Concessional Funding: Calling for financing models based on vulnerability rather than GDP per capita to better reflect the unique challenges faced by the region.

Economic Transformation: Proposing a new development and investment agenda to drive sustainable growth.

Market Access and Near-Shoring: Exploring pathways to enhance trade opportunities and strengthen economic partnerships.

Prime Minister Mottley, Prime Minister Rowley and President Ali reiterated the Caribbean’s commitment to forging strategic alliances that prioritised sustainable development, equitable trade, and regional security.

Minority Leader Jeffries reaffirmed a commitment to supporting the Caribbean’s development agenda, emphasising the importance of deepening U.S.-Caribbean relations in addressing pressing global issues.

Other members of the Congressional Delegation present were Rep. Aumua Amata Radewagen, Rep. Maxine Waters, Rep. Gregory Meeks, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Steven Horsford, Rep. Yvette Clarke, Rep. Joyce Beatty, Rep. Robin Kelly and Rep. Stacey E. Plaskett. Also joining the meeting was Rep. Mark Green. (PR/BT)