The Fourth Annual Caribbean-United States Security Cooperation Dialogue, part of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), was held on Friday, December 6, 2013 at the U.S Department of State. The dialogue brought together representatives from Caribbean states, the United States, and international partners in order to strengthen regional cooperation on citizen security and promote effective and measurable results in combating transnational crime and violence.

Deputy Secretary of State William Burns delivered opening remarks on Caribbean-United States security cooperation. The event also featured remarks by Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Roberta S. Jacobson; Chairman of the Ministerial Council for National Security and Law Enforcement and Minister of National Security for The Bahamas, Dr. Bernard J. Nottage; Deputy Minister of the Presidency for the Dominican Republic, Luis Henry Molina; and Assistant Secretary General, Foreign and Community Relations, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, Ambassador Colin Granderson.

During the meeting, delegates examined several of the flagship programs that have begun and established next steps to move forward on cooperation and information sharing in order to reduce illicit trafficking, promote social justice, and improve citizen security.

CBSI is one pillar of a U.S. security strategy focused on citizen safety throughout the hemisphere. Launched by President Barack Obama at the Fifth Summit of the Americas in April 2009, the United States has committed more than $263 million in funding. The United States, CARICOM member nations, and the Dominican Republic are improving citizen safety throughout the Caribbean by working together to substantially reduce illicit trafficking, increase public safety and security, and promote social justice.

CBSI is one piece in an integrated effort that includes the other citizen security initiatives in the Hemisphere: the Merida Initiative in Mexico, the Central America Regional Security Initiative, and the Colombia Strategic Development Initiative.

For more information, please visit http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rt/cbsi/.