Jagdeo, US energy envoy hold discussions
US Department of State Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) Assistant Secretary Geoffrey R Pyatt was in Guyana on Wednesday and discussed a range of issues, among them investment opportunities in clean energy and advancing clean energy resources sustainably, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said yesterday.
“We had a good discussion; a long discussion yesterday about several issues including the energy sector and our commitment to net zero and the support from the US government and the partnership moving forward. Both sides expressed the desire to forge a strong, lasting, long-term partnership on the issue of energy, the energy transition and fulfilling our global commitments on climate change. We discussed key elements of that,” Jagdeo told a press conference.
Accompanying Pyatt were US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, Assistant to State Department Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources Matthew Taylor, Political and Economic Counsellor at US Embassy Georgetown
Brian Hall and Economic and Commercial Officer at the US Embassy, Georgetown Thomas Seger.
A statement from the US Embassy here said that during his visit, Pyatt held a series of meetings with government officials and business leaders to discuss energy security in Guyana, the United States, and globally.
“Assistant Secretary Pyatt discussed the USCaribbean Partnership to address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030) including the advancement of clean energy resources and resilient energy infrastructure in a timely manner, and on a sustainable and affordable basis. He also took the opportunity to discuss Guyana’s immense forests, plans for economic diversification, and major infrastructure upgrades such as the transformational gas to energy project,” the statement said.
“PACC 2030 establishes a framework to elevate US 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 US 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),” it added.
Jagdeo informed that while discussions on fulfilling NetZero and climate change commitments were a focus, business opportunities for US investors in this area was also a topic.
During the talks on forging allegiances between Georgetown and Washington, he said, “I assured the secretary that people here, investors here from the US and any country in the world – China India etcetera – will be given a fair opportunity.
“We are looking for investments in this country in every sector that will bring benefits for this country… At the same time, the investors, while they come here and can make a good return on their investment, … the people of this country, our people, have to significantly benefit from these investments,” he added.