10 June 2010: The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Heads of Delegation of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met in Bridgetown, Barbados, on 10 June 2010, and pledged to strengthen cooperation in responding to common challenges in a spirit of partnership and mutual respect.
According to the resulting Joint Statement on the Commitment of Bridgetown: Partnership for Prosperity and Security, ensuring energy security and mitigating the impact of climate change are fundamental to sustainable development, long-term prosperity and stability. In the Statement, parties underscore their commitment to cooperating under the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas and identifying new areas for partnership in: energy efficiency, renewable energy, cleaner fossil fuels, infrastructure, energy poverty, sustainable forests and land use, and adaptation.
Parties reiterate their shared commitment to addressing climate change, recognizing the special vulnerabilities of small island and low-lying States to the social, economic and environmental impacts of this global phenomenon. They further recognize the need for urgent and decisive actions on climate change, reaffirm their commitment to work toward the successful conclusion of negotiations within the context of the UNFCCC, and stress the importance of stepping up financing of mitigation and adaptation measures. [US Press Release]