Prime Minister Mark Phillips has called for stronger cooperation between the United States and Caribbean nations, urging increased American investment and deeper partnerships in energy security, infrastructure development, disaster preparedness and the fight against transnational organised crime.
Addressing the US-Caribbean Dialogue in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Phillips said closer collaboration was critical to strengthening regional resilience, accelerating economic growth and confronting emerging security challenges.
“Energy security is a cornerstone of the region’s prosperity and sustainable growth. As energy demand increases across the region, a diversified energy matrix is required, utilising all energy resources available,” the prime minister said.
He urged Caribbean countries to diversify their energy resources while strengthening institutional and technical capacity, improving regional coordination and expanding public-private partnerships to meet growing energy demands.
Phillips welcomed greater participation by American companies in the Caribbean’s energy sector, pointing to existing US investments in Guyana’s oil and gas industry as evidence of the significant opportunities for expanded economic cooperation.
He noted that the United States remains the Caribbean’s largest trading partner and source of foreign direct investment, providing a strong foundation for deeper commercial ties.
“This partnership offers tremendous opportunities for sustained economic growth in the region,” he said.
The prime minister identified energy diversification, logistics, critical infrastructure, digital connectivity and technology transfer as priority areas for increased American investment.
He also referenced the US-Guyana Investment Forum held in Washington in July 2026 as an example of the two countries’ commitment to expanding trade and investment opportunities.
Turning to infrastructure security, Phillips warned that Caribbean economies face increasing threats from natural disasters and criminal activities, making the protection of critical national assets an urgent regional priority.
“Critical infrastructure is quickly becoming the backbone of our economies and national security and must be protected from natural disasters and criminal actors,” he said.
He welcomed partnerships to improve access to trusted digital infrastructure suppliers through competitive financing, technical assistance and capacity building.
Phillips also called for greater US-Caribbean cooperation in disaster preparedness and emergency response, stressing that the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters demands sustained investment in resilient infrastructure and stronger response capabilities.
He underscored the importance of strengthening healthcare systems and regional health security to improve preparedness for public health emergencies.
On regional security, the prime minister highlighted the persistent threats posed by transnational organised crime, narcotics trafficking and illegal firearms, warning that these challenges cannot be effectively confronted by individual countries acting alone.
He reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to working with the United States and regional partners to combat organised criminal networks and strengthen collective security.
Phillips pointed to Guyana’s role as a founding member of the Shield of the Americas and the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition as evidence of its commitment to coordinated international action against criminal threats.
He said Guyana was translating these commitments into practical cooperation with the United States while contributing to broader regional security efforts.
“Guyana looks forward to engaging in constructive dialogue that strengthens our collective capacity to address challenges while unlocking new opportunities for regional growth and development,” Phillips said.
The US-Caribbean Dialogue brought together Caribbean leaders and senior officials to examine opportunities for stronger cooperation across energy, trade, infrastructure, disaster response, public health and security.
The prime minister’s intervention reinforced Guyana’s push for stronger US-Caribbean relations, with increased investment, regional resilience and collective security at the centre of the partnership.