U.S. Reaffirms Commitment to Caribbean Port Development at PMAC Annual Meeting in Suriname.
Paramaribo, Suriname:
The United States reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening maritime infrastructure, enhancing regional security, and expanding commercial partnerships during its participation in the Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC) Annual Meeting held in Paramaribo, Suriname, from July 8 to 10.
The three-day conference, held under the theme “Transitioning in an Era of Global Change,” brought together port authorities, government officials, maritime industry leaders, and strategic partners from across the Caribbean to discuss the future of port development, maritime security, and regional cooperation in the face of evolving global challenges.
Representing the United States were officials from the Department of State and other interagency partners, reflecting Washington’s continued engagement with Caribbean nations on infrastructure and security issues. During the opening session, Chargé d’Affaires Paul Watzlavick addressed delegates, highlighting the importance of resilient and transparent port systems in supporting economic growth and regional stability.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the American delegation’s participation demonstrated the Trump Administration’s commitment to promoting high-quality and transparent infrastructure development throughout the Caribbean. The initiative is aimed at creating greater commercial opportunities, ensuring fair competition for American businesses, and advancing the Administration’s America First economic agenda.
The United States also emphasized ongoing collaboration among the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the Department of State, and the Department of Commerce to modernize the legal and regulatory frameworks governing port infrastructure across the Caribbean region.
These efforts are being supported in part through programs under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), which seeks to improve regional security, strengthen institutional capacity, and enhance cooperation among Caribbean nations in addressing shared maritime and transnational challenges.
The PMAC Annual Meeting serves as one of the Caribbean’s premier forums for discussing port management, maritime logistics, infrastructure investment, and security. This year’s discussions focused on preparing Caribbean ports to adapt to global economic shifts, technological advancements, climate-related challenges, and increasing demands on regional supply chains.
U.S. officials said continued engagement with Caribbean partners is intended to support sustainable economic development while fostering secure, efficient, and transparent port operations that benefit both regional economies and international trade.
