ACS and Austria Discuss Climate Action and Capacity Building in Bilateral Meeting

The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) hosted a bilateral meeting on November 16, 2024, at its Secretariat in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, between Ms. Tricia Barrow, Chief Executive Coordinator of the ACS, and Mr. Thomas Mühlmann, Director for the Americas and Caribbean at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria to discuss key priorities for cooperation, particularly addressing climate change—a cornerstone of Austria’s foreign engagement strategy.

Mr. Mühlmann highlighted Austria’s investment in renewable energy initiatives in the Caribbean, including its support through the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), which plays a vital role in advancing climate resilience. He also noted Austria’s advocacy for United Nations Security Council reform, emphasizing its focus on addressing inequalities in the global security framework as part of its commitment to equitable global development.

Ms. Barrow emphasized the importance of expanding capacity-building efforts to fight climate change, especially in countries with limited resources, including through public-private partnerships (PPPs). She identified technology transfer as another critical tool in this fight.

The ACS is committed to fostering meaningful partnerships that promote sustainable development as it regards transport, trade and tourism as well as climate resilience across the Greater Caribbean.

About the ACS

The Association of Caribbean States is the organization for consultation, cooperation and concerted action in trade, transport, sustainable tourism and natural disasters in the Greater Caribbean. Its Member States are Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela. Its Associate Members are Aruba, Curacao, (France on behalf of French Guiana, Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin ), Guadeloupe, Martinique, Sint Maarten, (The Netherlands on behalf of Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius ), Turks and Caicos.