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The Westminster Model and the Destabilizing of Democracy in the Caribbean - Executive Summary
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The problem with the Westminster model is the model's lack of governance, oversight and colonial mindset which has led to a crisis that includes severe government corruption, deepening poverty, upticks in crime, debt and decreasing trade opportunities. This makes life harder for the citizens and threatens to destabilize the democracies with no one nation situated to cope with these existential challenges."National independence for the region was designed to maintain the status quo of colonial times while providing the illusion of autonomy and individual sovereignty.
Summit of the Americas: President Biden's Caribbean Policy
National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, June of every year, is ending. The Ninth Summit of the Americas, which meets every three years, was held in Los Angeles, California June 6-10, 2022, and provided an opportunity for President Biden to clearly define his policy towards the Caribbean. From the onset, there was uncertainty as to whether Caribbean nations and Mexico would attend. Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre noted that the Americas cannot flourish without cohesion in the hemisphere. Our generation, he continued, cannot miss the chance to have true unity among the countries in the Americas...
CARICOM 43rd Regular Heads of Government Meeting
CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett at the opening ceremony of the 43rd regular meeting of CARICOM heads of government, in Suriname, July 3, 2022 stated, "Chair, Heads of Government, we gather here in the immediate aftermath of two broader summits, one hemispheric and the other more global. The results of those discussions, particularly at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, USA, have the potential to have a positive impact on the social, environmental and economic aspects of our lives."It is why we have been so forceful in our advocacy for greater access to climate financing to help us adapt to the phenomenon, as well as to respond to loss and damage caused by climatic events.
Senior State Department Leadership Participate in International Partners Ministerial Meeting on Haiti Hosted by the Government of Suriname
On July 12, 2022, Deputy Secretary Wendy Sherman, Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A. Nichols, and Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Todd Robinson met virtually with senior Haitian government officials, over 17 international partner countries, and several international organizations during a Ministerial-level international partners meeting hosted by the Government of Suriname to discuss sustainable, inclusive solutions to the challenges faced by Haiti and Haitians. The ministerial reaffirmed the continued international partner commitment to support Haiti as it confronts grave insecurity, seeks to restore its democratic institutions, and revives the country’s economic development. Since December 2021, international partners have mobilized more than $294 million in new commitments to Haiti.
U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 - PACC 2030
On June 9, 2022, Vice President Kamala Harris announced the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030). PACC 2030 is the Biden-Harris Administration’s new initiative involving fresh commitments to — and integration of — climate adaptation and resilience and clean energy programs across the Caribbean region. The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes the unique and evolving climate and energy challenges facing Caribbean nations, and we are committed to working together on solutions. This comprehensive, adaptive, and goal-oriented approach will support our Caribbean neighbors in addressing energy security and climate adaptation and resilience with the urgency these challenges demand.
The Caribbean is on the front lines of the climate crisis, including sea level rise that threatens low-lying islands and exacerbates storm surge associated with hurricanes. The climate crisis is also compounding the challenges facing Caribbean nations as a result of COVID-19-related economic disruptions. Addressing energy security and building climate resilience can unlock new opportunities and safeguard communities.
PACC 2030 establishes a framework to elevate U.S. cooperation with Caribbean countries to support climate adaptation and strengthen energy security, while building the resilience of critical infrastructure and local economies to the climate crisis. PACC 2030 will serve as the U.S. government’s primary mechanism for regional climate adaptation and resilience and energy cooperation through 2030, as we work toward meeting the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This approach recognizes that all countries in the region are vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather events and require support to address these challenges.