Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves provided the opening remarks at the Partnership for Trans-Atlantic Energy and Climate Cooperation Business Forum in Croatia last week.
In a press release issued March 2, the Department of Commerce shared some of Graves' remarks.
“I’m grateful to Minister Filipović and the Government of Croatia for hosting us today," Graves said. "I also want to thank Secretary Granholm and her team at the Department of Energy as well as the Atlantic Council for organizing this important event.”
He took the time early in his remarks to remember an unfortunate diplomatic incident in Croatia.
"I’ll begin on a somber note of reflection. Almost 27 years ago, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown and 34 others perished in a plane crash while flying from Zagreb to Dubrovnik on an official trade mission," Graves continued.
Graves also took the time to talk about energy and the climate.
“Since we last met in Poland for the 2021 Forum, the importance of accelerating Europe’s clean energy transition has become more urgent for two reasons. First, across the world, the climate crisis continues to lead to higher temperatures, rising sea levels, and weather-related shocks," Graves said. "We’ve witnessed severe drought exacerbated by heat waves, among other weather crises, both here in Europe and in America. Climate change is an existential threat that sees no borders, and time is decidedly not on our side.”
He closed his remarks by talking about cooperation between nations on environmental issues.
“The United States is committed to working with PTECC member nations to improve the commercial enabling environment for attracting innovative energy and climate companies, improving financing options, and promoting partnerships," Graves said. "But we all know governments can’t solve Europe’s energy challenges alone. We need strong partnerships with all of you to get the job done. We are eager to continue our work together and learn how our public and private sector partners can contribute to the solutions Europe so urgently needs. I believe we will meet this moment so that we can all prosper and thrive in a clean, 21st-century global economy.”
