Former US President Clinton says Caribbean can lead initiative for cleaner energy

Former United States President Bill Clinton says Caribbean countries could lead the global initiative for developing cleaner energy, reducing the threat of climate change, and improving the economies of developing countries.

Clinton, who arrived in Dominica on Tuesday for talks with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and members of his administration, said Norway has been instrumental in assisting his Foundation in developing the new energy initiative.

Caribbean nations could lead the world

“They believed when we first asked them that Dominica in particular, and the Caribbean in general, could lead the world to a whole new way of producing clean power, reducing the threat of climate change and improving the economies of developing countries.”

Clinton said he also bought into the idea that the Caribbean could become the first sustainable region in the world and is supportive of Dominica’s efforts to become the first totally climate resilient country in the world.

Skerrit, who spoke alongside Clinton, said that discussions have already started with the Foundation “to develop a rapid integrated resource plan for the island’s energy sector.

Look forward to working with Clinton

“I look forward to working with President Clinton and the Clinton Climate Initiative as we transform Dominica’s energy sector into a model of resilience that the entire region and world can follow,” Skerrit added.

Clinton is visiting Dominica and other countries that were battered last September when Hurricanes Irma and Maria, two Category 5 storms passed through the Lesser Antilles.

Clinton was among leaders who attended and addressed an international donor conference held in New York last November to mobilize resources for the countries.

He said the Clinton Foundation will be launching an Action Network on Post-Disaster Recovery, following a meeting Thursday with officials from the islands, as well as leaders from business and civil society.