Barbados’ Ambassador to Rome, Matthew Wilson shakes hands with Head of the Caribbean and Central American Unit at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Marco Giomini following their recent discussions. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade)
Barbados actively presented its perspectives on energy cooperation at the 12th Italy–Latin America and the Caribbean Ministerial Conference, hosted in Rome, Italy, on October 7, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy.
The biannual conference, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Antonio Tajani, brought together ministerial and senior officials from across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Barbados was represented by Ambassador to Rome, Matthew Wilson, who participated in a series of bilateral meetings with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explore opportunities for deepening collaboration between Barbados and Italy.
The Ministerial Conference focused on two main areas: Economic Partnership with Latin America and the Caribbean to Support Growth and Free Trade, and Energy Cooperation as a Pillar of the Italy–Latin America and Caribbean Partnership.
The first session underscored support for the multilateral trading system, including the World Trade Organization, while examining key areas such as digital trade, regional cooperation, climate change, the movement of skilled persons, and food sovereignty.
During the second session on energy cooperation, Ambassador Wilson addressed the gathering and emphasised the critical importance of energy access for small island developing states (SIDS).
He stated: “SIDS will not survive and be productive without consistent access to energy resources. It is as much a security issue as it is an economic issue.
Pivoting away from fossil fuel dependence is an important pillar of energy security and harnessing the power of solar, of wind and of the ocean is where many of us in the region need to continue to move towards.”
The Ambassador also expressed appreciation to Italy for its support to the region, and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in sustainable development projects, noting: “We need to see more of this, and we want to work with you to ensure that through the CDB, Italy can continue to increase its presence by supporting investments in adaptation and in the uptake of new sources of energy, which are clean, sustainable, efficient and cost-effective.”
In addition to the formal sessions, Ambassador Wilson held substantive bilateral discussions with Italy’s Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Minister Giorgio Silli, and Head of the Caribbean Section, Marco Giomini.
These talks covered the appointment of an Honorary Consul for Barbados in Italy, as well as potential collaboration in development, legal training, and enhanced climate financing, including using the Bridgetown Initiative 3.0 as a platform to strengthen energy cooperation between the two regions.
At the conclusion of the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Tajani announced that the next Ministerial Conference will be held in Latin America and the Caribbean region in 2027.
Author: Dionne Best
Source: https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/barbados-forging-closer-ties-with-italy/
