ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) -Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has sought to underscore the importance of diplomatic relations with the United States, saying that Washington is “active” in the country.

“I want to reassure the United States of America, through our friend, the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Barbados, Karin Sullivan that Dominica stands with the United States always and the United States can count on Dominica as a true transparent friend in all efforts of your national development and our joint efforts at addressing global issues,” Skerrit said.

Skerrit was addressing a handing over ceremony, where Washington provided the funding for three newly constructed disaster management facilities, two emergency operating centres and disaster warehouses at a cost of over US$3 million.

Washington has also announced plans to fund the construction of a new fire and ambulance service station for La Plaine, a village located on the eastern side of the island. Sullivan said that it would cost US$2.1 million.

Skerrit told the ceremony on Thursday that Dominica values the “friendship” it has with the United States, and appreciates the “support and assistance we have been receiving from the United States for a very long time.”
He said that the visit of the US diplomat “speaks to the shared values of cooperation, mutual respect and our collective commitment to resilience, development and security in the region.

“We deeply appreciate the continued assistance of the United States government, particularly in areas like infrastructure, capacity building and disaster preparedness for national security, and I dare say we cannot write the history of national security in Dominica and not have several paragraphs and pages assigned to the United States of America.

‘Without you, the Caribbean would not be as safe as it is today and do not ever underestimate your contributions to our national security and regional security. United States has always been a dedicated partner where security is concerned, and we thank you for that,” Skerrit said.

Earlier this month, Skerrit defended his country’s strong relationship with China following talks wth United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio in Washington, saying “I think some of the things that people speak about our relationship with China are sometimes misplaced. China has been… and continues to be a major ally in our economic and social development.

“We have always maintained our relationship with China in a very transparent way. Our relationship with China is no different to that of our relationship with any country in the world, whether it’s a European country or an African country or a Caribbean country.”

Skerrit said that ‘what China is doing for Dominica is open for everybody to see and is visible for everybody to see, whether it’s the construction of schools or the hospitals or the roads or support to farmers and small businesses or housing, and that’s what we speak to China about”

Skerrit told the handing over ceremony that as a small island developing state, Dominica has boldly set its sights on an ambitious yet necessary goal to become the first climate-resilient nation in the world.

“This is no small task. The climate-related shocks we face are not only increasing in frequency but also growing in intensity. For us, resilience is not a buzzword, it is a lifeline. And we cannot achieve it alone.

“It is in this context that we express our deep gratitude to the United States Southern Command (US SOUTHCOM), whose commitment to Dominica’s security, emergency preparedness and institutional development has been unwavering. Over the years, our two nations have worked together on a range of development initiatives from education and health to economic growth and disaster resilience,” he said.

Skerrit said that the United States agencies, such as USAID, the Department of Defence, and the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), have consistently supported Dominica’s efforts to build capacity, strengthen institutions and invest in sustainable development.

He said this support reflects a strategic and policy-level partnership that recognises the unique challenges faced by small island states in an era of climate uncertainty.

“This collaboration, particularly through US SOUTHCOM, is a reflection of our shared priorities under broader frameworks such as the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030) and the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).

“These initiatives emphasise disaster preparedness, energy security, climate resilience and institutional strengthening, core pillars of Dominica’s own development policy.”

He told the ceremony that the buildings being commissioned are more than concrete and steel; they are symbols of policy in action, diplomacy in practice, and partnership with purpose. “They speak to the power of international collaboration, and the positive outcomes that emerge when nations stand together to address shared challenges,” he added.