00:00Trinidad and Tobago is making its position clear on the international stage.
00:05The relationship with the United States remains a priority.
00:09Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers delivered that message to Commonwealth leaders,
00:15reaffirming this country's commitment to Washington
00:17while welcoming the upcoming visit of U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Juan Pablo Segura to Port of Spain.
00:25We have made it pelucid that our partnership with the government and the people of the United States of America
00:31is of utmost priority.
00:33In this vein, and in keeping with several high-level visits between officials of both countries to each other's capitals,
00:40Trinidad and Tobago warmly welcomes the visit to Port of Spain of Assistant Secretary of State
00:47in charge of the Bureau of Western Hemispheric Affairs.
00:55During his report to the lower house, Sobers said the U.S. official's visit will facilitate high-level discussions
01:04on homeland security, energy, trade and entrepreneurship.
01:08Mr. Speaker, Trinidad and Tobago is not a fair-weather friend of the United States of America.
01:13Our commitment and cooperation reflect that the United States is the country's largest trading partner
01:19and the world's largest and most powerful economy.
01:23But while Washington remains a key strategic partner, Sobers said,
01:27Trinidad and Tobago used the Commonwealth meeting to advance its interest
01:31with a wider network of international partners.
01:34Trinidad and Tobago advance several national priorities at CHUGOM 2026
01:39in the areas of climate resilience and energy transition.
01:43As a small island state sharing the burden that accompanies climate change,
01:47Trinidad and Tobago called for and received commitments for accelerated access to climate finance,
01:54loss and damage funding, and investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and resilient infrastructure.
02:01Sobers described the Commonwealth gathering as a strategic opportunity to promote TNT.
02:06Trinidad and Tobago promoted our country as a stable, competitive destination
02:10for investment in energy, manufacturing, creative industries, tourism, agriculture, and the digital economy.
02:18We supported the Commonwealth's work to reduce intra-commonwealth trade costs,
02:22strengthen supply chains, support MSMEs, and expand opportunities for women and youth entrepreneurs.
02:29He said bilateral discussions also addressed trade, double taxation, air connectivity, investment, food security,
02:37and the protection of critical infrastructure.
02:40We raise the protection of energy and food infrastructure in armed conflict
02:45and in times of disaster and the importance of resilient food systems for small island states.
02:51We call for greater Commonwealth cooperation on food production, storage, logistics, and emergency preparedness
02:58so that no Commonwealth citizen faces hunger because of conflict, climate shocks, or supply chain disruption.
03:05The minister said Trinidad and Tobago also championed greater investment in youth skills development,
03:12digital literacy, and reparatory justice.
