U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced that it has significantly scaled up its climate adaptation and resilience portfolio under the Biden-Harris Administration. Since early 2021, USTDA has approved funding for more than 15 infrastructure project preparation and partnership building activities that are designed to help mobilize nearly $700 million in climate finance and $500 million in U.S. exports. Among the new programming is a virtual workshop series for eight Caribbean partner countries, to explore digital connectivity solutions that can enhance the region’s public services and responsiveness to climate-related events.
USTDA’s announcements were made during the 27th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27).
“Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, USTDA has placed special emphasis on partnering with emerging economies to identify infrastructure solutions that will help them adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “This is especially the case for partner countries in the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands, which are disproportionately impacted by the global climate crisis. USTDA is proud of its growing climate adaptation and resilience portfolio, but we strive to do more and intend to expand our global network of partners in this pursuit.”
USTDA’s Caribbean workshop series will include representatives from Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname, with a focus on building partnerships with U.S. industry. The series will cover topics such as smart grid and climate technologies, emergency management and safety, cybersecurity, smart cities, and e-government solutions.
The Agency’s climate adaptation and resilience activities support several key U.S. government priorities, including the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE), the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030), and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII).
