18 April 2009: Addressing the Fifth Summit of the Americas, which took place in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from 17-19 April 2009, US President Barack Obama proposed the creation of a new Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas “that can forge progress to a more secure and sustainable future.” The proposed partnership would promote renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the promotion of energy efficiency and investments in infrastructure and renewable sources of energy.

At the conclusion of the Summit, a 97-paragraph Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain was presented. A section on energy security commits the leaders to aim to develop cleaner, more affordable and sustainable energy systems, and to promote access to energy and energy efficient technologies and practices in all sectors. A section on environmental sustainability recognizes “the adverse impacts of climate change on all countries of the Hemisphere, in particular, Small Island Developing States, countries with low-lying coastal, arid and semi-arid areas or areas liable to floods, drought and desertification, developing countries with fragile mountainous ecosystems and land-locked countries.” [The speech] [Summit website]