CARICOM reaffirms its commitment to increasing ties with African continent

Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, says the regional body remains committed to building stronger ties between the Caribbean Community and the African continent.

In a message to mark CARICOM-Africa Day, he said this day, observed annually on September 7, serves to “concretize our joint dedication to ever-increasing cooperation and partnership. Since then, we have worked together to deepen this special relationship founded on our ancestral bonds and common aspirations.”

“Our joint efforts have focused on cooperation on health, climate change mitigation and adaptation, financing for development, and reparatory justice for the crimes of the transatlantic slave trade that impacted our Regions.  We recognize that with even greater collaboration, much more can be done to address the significant challenges that remain, including on the impact of climate change.”

He noted that the economic partnership between CARICOM and Africa continues to grow, as demonstrated by the hosting of the Thirty-First Annual Afreximbank Meetings and the Third AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum in Nassau, The Bahamas in June 2024.

This marked the first time that the Annual Afreximbank Meetings have been held in the Caribbean, underscoring the significant growth of economic opportunities fueled by this valued partnership.

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“This collaboration has begun to provide crucial financing to the Community and play a pivotal role in enhancing trade and investment between CARICOM and Africa,” he noted.

The CARICOM chairman pointed to the Health Development Partnership for Africa and the Caribbean (HeDPAC), saying this demonstrates “the remarkable potential and is a highlight of CARICOM-Africa cooperation. As we continue to navigate the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and seek to build on the critical lessons learned, strengthened cooperation between CARICOM and HeDPAC will be instrumental in bolstering our Region’s health capacities. It will enhance primary health care and improve pharmaceutical equity through local production of medical products, thus contributing to improved health outcomes for the people of CARICOM and Africa.”

He noted that CARICOM remains committed to continued engagement and strengthened relations with Africa, including at the Ministerial level, building on the foundation laid during the 2021 CARICOM-Africa Summit.

“Our partnership is set to become a beacon of South-South cooperation, benefiting both our societies amid an increasingly complex and challenging global environment. Building on the notable progress made in recent years, let us continue to work together towards a future of even greater interregional collaboration between CARICOM and Africa.”

“I extend warmest regards and best wishes for increased prosperity to the People and Governments of Africa, as we partner to fortify the fraternal ties that bind our Regions.”