A recommitment to taking the necessary steps to combat climate change was made with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between an international organisation and Caribbean groups on Wednesday, June 16, 2021.

The participants included the United States Agency for International Development/ Eastern and Southern Caribbean Mission (USAID/ESC), representatives from the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).

The signing of the MoU occurred during the virtual opening ceremony of USAID/ESC’s regional climate symposium “Refresh, Renew and Re-pivot to Action”. The MoU reaffirms the long-standing partnership between USAID and leading climate change entities and further recognises the urgent need for climate action in the Caribbean region. 

Signatories included:

• Clinton White, Regional Representative, USAID/ESC
• Dr Colin Young, CCCCC
• Dr David Farrell, CIMH
• Elizabeth Riley, CDEMA

The MOU was witnessed by Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Irwin LaRocque and US Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch.

Ambassador Lynch said: “[This MoU will] strengthen the current institutional ties between them, as a basis for collaborating in the delivery of services to Member States of CARICOM located in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, as the Caribbean region seeks to protect its human and natural assets and build resilience to the impact of climate change. It’s these kinds of agreements that will bring us all closer to achieving our climate goals.” 

The symposium will continue over a three-week period in June. The events will share information and best practices, as well as identify challenges and opportunities in the region to strengthen climate resilience.

(Clockwise from right with signed MOU – Mr. Clinton White, USAID Regional Representative for the Eastern and Southern Caribbean; CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque; H.E. Sarah-Ann Lynch, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana and CARICOM; Dr. Colin Young, Executive Director, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre; Ms. Elizabeth Riley, Executive Director (Ag.), Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency; Dr. David Farrell, Principal, Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology