Caribbean nations need to diversify their energy resources and attract greater United States investment to strengthen energy security, support economic growth and advance regional development.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips made the call on Thursday at the US-Caribbean Dialogue in Washington, DC, which brought together Caribbean leaders and senior officials to address shared priorities in energy, economic development, infrastructure, disaster response, health and security.

"Energy security is a cornerstone of the region's prosperity and sustainable growth," Phillips said. "As energy demand increases across the region, a diversified energy matrix is required, utilising all energy resources available."

He said stronger institutional and technical capacity, better coordination and public-private partnerships are needed to meet the region's growing energy demands. He welcomed greater participation by US companies in Caribbean energy development, pointing to their existing investments in Guyana's oil and gas and wider energy sectors.

Phillips noted that the US remains the region's largest trading partner and source of foreign direct investment.

"This partnership offers tremendous opportunities for sustained economic growth in the region," he said.

He identified energy diversification, logistics, critical and digital infrastructure and the transfer of innovative technologies as key areas where the Caribbean could benefit from more US investment. He cited the US-Guyana Investment Forum, held in Washington in July 2026, as a reflection of the countries' shared commitment to stronger commercial ties.

On infrastructure resilience, Phillips said critical national assets must be protected from natural disasters and criminal threats.
"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 expand access to trusted digital infrastructure suppliers through competitive financing and capacity building. He also called for continued investment in disaster preparedness and response, stronger healthcare systems and greater collaboration on health security.

On regional security, Phillips said transnational organised crime, narcotics trafficking and the illicit flow of firearms require collective action. He noted Guyana's role as a founding member of the Shield of the Americas and the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, and said the country is building on these commitments through cooperation with the US while strengthening the region's collective capacity.

"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," he said.