-by Svetlana Marshall-

Climate Adaptation, Energy and Food Security were among the key issues that took center stage as U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with President Irfaan Ali at State House today during his brief visit to Guyana.

The top US official, who arrived in Guyana from Trinidad and Tobago, described the high-level meeting with the President as “very productive,” and a significant step as the two countries strengthen their bilateral relations.

He said though Guyana is in line to become the highest oil producing country per capita in the world, it remains a leader in forest conservation, thereby demonstrating it is possible to prioritize climate mitigation and environmental protection, while responsibly using fossil fuel resources.

Citing an example, Mr Blinken pointed to the US$750M agreement that Guyana inked with HESS Corporation for the sale of carbon credits.

As he applauded the move, the US Secretary of State said the US stands ready to help Guyana achieve energy security.

“Our own Export Import Bank is working closely with the Guyanese Government on a major gas to energy project that’s going to cut emissions by 50%. American companies can bring unparalleled expertise, high labour, environmental standards and transparency to help power Guyana’s dynamic growth to advanced regional energy security, to deliver tangible benefits to all people,” the US Secretary of State said.

Energy Security aside, he said the US appreciates the increasingly significant role Guyana is playing in addressing regional and global issues as it sits on the Inter American Commission on Human Rights and starting in January, United Nations Security Council.

Food Security, Mr Blinken said, is also a priority for both countries as the world continues to grapple with the effects of the climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the global conflicts including the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The impact has been tremendous with food prices skyrocketing in the Caribbean and other parts of the world.

“We’re grateful to Guyana for Co-chairing the US Caribbean High Level Action Committee on Food Security, for the country’s leading efforts to expand small farmers access to technology, reducing barriers to trade, reducing barriers to transportation,” he said.

According to the US Secretary of State, the US Government will continue to invest even more resources to boost the capacity of the region to sustainably produce food.  He said Guyana will continue to be a crucial part of that effort.

Mr Blinken also spoke of the importance of climate adaptation, the need for multilateral development banks to be reformed to better respond to the needs of the Caribbean people, and the moves to address transnational crimes. 

President Ali, while addressing the issues of Climate Adaptation, Food and Energy Security, spoke extensively about the US investment in Guyana, telling journalists that the US is one of Guyana’s strongest partners.

“The United States is Guyana’s largest trading partner with accumulated trade of over US$3.9B in 2022. The United States is overall ranked our number one export by destination, US$2.7B in 2022, and our number one import by source, US$1.2B,” the President said.

The President said the US-Guyana relationship spans many sectors with the two countries sharing common values and principles of democracy. He said the relationship will only get stronger.

The US Secretary of State left Guyana this evening following meetings at the Embassy with the Opposition Leader and Embassy staff.

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