June 10, 2022 — The Ninth Summit of the Americas concluded in Los Angeles, California with new commitments to climate adaptation, clean energy, and food security, focused on “Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future” and including the participation of leaders from across the Caribbean. President Biden told CARICOM members: “There’s a lot that I think we can and should do. This is a partnership. My intention is to intensify the relationship with the Caribbean. And I mean that sincerely. You’re critically important to us in every way.”
Vice President Harris announced the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis (PACC 2030), a new initiative to elevate U.S. cooperation with Caribbean countries to support climate adaptation, strengthen energy security, and accelerate the transition to clean energy, while building the resilience of critical infrastructure and local economies. PACC 2030 will work to expand access to project financing and unlock new financing mechanisms for climate and clean energy infrastructure development in the region. Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said: “My government welcomes President Biden’s announcement of a new Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity. My government is particularly pleased that this aims to mobilize new financing and to revitalize multilateral development banks, revamping their lending policies to better meet the specific needs of the majority of our nations.” Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley added: “For too long there has been benign neglect, and the Partnership for the Americas as well as the Climate Partnership Pact 2030 offers us a real possibility of hope.”