The trip for Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his delegation to attend the Summit of the Americas in the United States in June this year cost just over $684,000.
Opposition MP Rodney Charles tabled a question in Parliament on 9 September to Finance Minister Colm Imbert seeking details on the trip, including those attending, the cost and the benefits to Trinidad and Tobago.
In a written reply, the Minister of Finance gave a breakdown of the expenditure, which rose to $684,645.61.
The Ninth Summit of the Americas was held in California from June 6 to 10. The theme was “Building a sustainable, resilient and equitable future”. The Prime Minister was accompanied by 11 people. The composition of the delegation and the accumulated costs are as follows:
1. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley-$139,659.59
2. Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Amery Browne-$84,259.42
3. Energy Minister Stuart Young-$84,259.42
4. Retired Brigadier General Anthony WJ Phillips-Spencer, Ambassador of T&T to the US, Permanent Representative of T&T to the OAS and National Coordinator for the American Process Summits – $60,593.72
5. Kirk Francois, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Ag,), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Caricom Affairs-$38,447.70
6. Urvashi Ramnarine, Director, Americas Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Caricom, and Deputy National Coordinator for the American Process Summits—$38,447.70
7. Ruedi Trouchen, Second Secretary, Embassy of T&T to the US and Alternate Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the OAS-$50,463.77
8. Joan Brammer, Public Affairs and Cultural Attaché, Embassy of T&T in the US-$25,134.42
9. Abby Brathwaite, deputy press secretary, Office of the Prime Minister—$38,447.70
10. Ken Sambury, videographer, Office of the Prime Minister-$38,447.70
11. Franklyn Batson, Corporal, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service-$38,447.70
12. Kerwin Ramnath, Corporal, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service—$48,036.77
benefit
Regarding the benefits for Trinidad and Tobago, Imbert emphasized the importance of this country’s participation, stating that participation will ensure that this country’s voice is heard and its concerns are included in the action plan.
One of the benefits listed was securing Trinidad and Tobago’s interests in the outcome documents which were finalized just one day before the Ninth Summit of the Americas.
He said Brig Phillips-Spencer was active in negotiating the five Summit declarations on health and sustainability, digital transformation, clean and renewable energy, a green future and democratic governance, which are all areas that countries in the hemisphere Western countries have agreed to give priority. in their commitment and efforts to shape a better future.
Another stated benefit was the opportunity to hold meetings with key officials in the US government.
The minister said that the most important meeting was the one between US Vice President Kamala Harris on June 8, 2022 and the heads of government of Caricom countries and the Dominican Republic to discuss the challenges facing the Caribbean region.
The result, he said, was the creation of three joint working groups on food security, energy security and financing, which will delve into the specifics and develop strategies for support.
Imbert noted that these working groups began meeting on July 12, 2022, and Trinidad and Tobago has taken the lead on the energy security committee for the region.
Similarly, Guyana has taken the lead on food security and Barbados on funding.
The minister further said that bilateral meetings have been held at the level of the head of government and the minister of foreign affairs, with their counterparts from different countries, to advance discussions on ongoing issues as well as new priorities that Trinidad and Tobago is follow now
Some of these countries include the USA, Canada, Peru, Argentina, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Panama.
