Caricom urges closer collaboration with Africa

CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) — Caribbean Community (Caricom) Chairman, Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre, on Monday urged Africa and the Caribbean regions to leverage a collective voice to advocate for sustainable development, climate resilience and the interests of vulnerable states. In a message marking the fifth anniversary of Caricom–Africa Day, Pierre said that 'this historic milestone reaffirms our shared commitment to a unified vision for a forward-looking partnership and strategic cooperation for our two regions'. He said that since the leaders of Africa and the Caribbean met for their first Caricom-Africa Summit in 2021, 'Our bonds have strengthened significantly.' He said that the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Caricom and the African Union (AU) Secretariats on September 26, 2024 marked a pivotal step in deepening inter-secretariat cooperation. 'Concurrently, our member states have expanded bilateral engagement through partnerships with institutions such as Afreximbank, whose Caribbean office continues to catalyse financing for infrastructure, small businesses and trade. We have also advanced joint initiatives in health services and air connectivity to unlock commercial trade, tourism and direct people-to-people exchanges,' he said. Pierre said that as the two regions observe the Second International Decade for People of African Descent and uphold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of People of African Descent, 'We honour the resilience of our ancestors and pay tribute to those lost to the atrocities of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.' 'Caricom continues to play a significant leadership role in the global campaign for reparatory justice, working hand in hand with continental partners, who have embraced and advanced this critical cause for repair and diasporic unity.' Pierre said that in the face of compounded global challenges, including climate-induced natural disasters and geopolitical instability, the two regions must leverage a collective voice to advocate for sustainable development, climate resilience and the interests of vulnerable states. 'Caricom remains steadfast in its commitment to regional solidarity, sovereignty and self-determination,' he said, noting that Caribbean people are vital constituents of the African Union's Sixth Region. 'And our deepening alliance, as a model of South-South cooperation, seeks to deliver practical, measurable benefits, opening new horizons for youth, expanding markets for local enterprises, and reinforcing our collective resilience.'