Guyana and the US held discussions on climate resilience, food security and energy transition during a virtual Strategic Dialogue on Tuesday.

In a statement, the US Department of State said the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs Daniel P. Erikson, State Department Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A. Nichols, and Special Advisor to the Vice President for the Western Hemisphere, Scott Winton led the U.S. inter-agency delegation, which was comprised of representatives from the Department of State, USAID, the Department of Defense, and the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud led the Guyanese delegation, which included officials from a number of Government Ministries and the Guyana Defense Force.

The release noted that the two sides discussed ideas for advancing the bilateral economic agenda, underscored the need for good governance and institutional strengthening, and pledged continued defense and security cooperation. 

The two delegations also highlighted the impact and prospect of an active hurricane season in the Caribbean and pledged support for those already affected by Hurricane Beryl. They also reiterated their commitment to the success of the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti.

Meanwhile, a separate release from the Guyana Department of Public Information noted that at the opening of the dialogue, Guyana’s Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud asserted that the dialogue continues along the upward trajectory of partnerships and relationships that the two sides have enjoyed for decades.

“This dialogue seeks to build on the friendship and the partnership that exists between our two countries under the bilateral, regional and international cooperation frameworks,” he was quoted as saying.

The discussions also featured a range of global issues, including energy security, food security, climate change, the US-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis (PACC) 2030, and security and defence cooperation.

“I’m quite confident that our deliberations can pave the way for innovative solutions and strengthened ties between our two governments,” the Foreign Secretary affirmed.

The US team also lauded Guyana’s leadership role in the Caribbean Community and on the United Nations Security Council and pledged continued support for Guyana’s energy sector as well.

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