Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre says United States-Caribbean cooperation must deliver practical benefits for people, including affordable electricity, jobs, safer communities and timely disaster assistance.
Speaking at the United States-Caribbean Dialogue in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, as both Saint Lucia’s leader and chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Pierre called for a more strategic partnership built on regular dialogue and practical outcomes.
“For Caribbean families, energy security means affordable electricity. Economic cooperation means jobs, investment and opportunity. Security cooperation means safer communities. Disaster preparedness means knowing that help will arrive when it is needed,” he said.
Pierre identified several areas for action, including financing for resilient energy systems, predictable trade, stronger commercial partnerships, secure infrastructure, stronger health systems, disaster response and coordinated efforts to combat organised crime and illicit firearms trafficking.
“The strength of today’s meeting will be demonstrated by what follows it,” he said.
Pierre called for political dialogue to be backed by sustained technical engagement, agreed priorities and clear follow-up arrangements. He said the CARICOM Secretariat would help coordinate the Community’s technical work with national authorities and regional institutions.
At the meeting, United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau announced financial commitments in healthcare, security, law enforcement and digital connectivity. He also outlined plans for a United States-Caribbean Investment Dialogue in 2027.
Landau encouraged Caribbean governments to identify specific investment opportunities and potential American business partners. He also identified mutual respect, national sovereignty and the development priorities of Caribbean governments as important foundations for the relationship.
Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Juan Pablo Segura highlighted the importance of ensuring regional governments understand the financial and technical instruments available to support their development priorities.
Pierre thanked the United States for convening the dialogue following a call by CARICOM leaders for political-level consultations during their February engagement with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
On Haiti, Pierre called for sustained international assistance and credible elections with the widest possible participation to help restore confidence and support a return to stability.
He also urged attention to immigration and migration, citing their implications for Caribbean communities and family ties.
The leaders of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and Haiti also participated in the dialogue, alongside heads of delegation from other Caribbean countries.
