Caribbean and Africa strengthen ties with first ever CARICOM-Africa summit

The first-ever CARICOM Africa summit was held virtually on Tuesday under the theme, ‘Unity across Continents and Oceans: Opportunities for Deepening Integration. The President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, chaired the summit.

During the summit, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne proposed that the 69 countries of Africa and the Caribbean should now be known as the G69. He said the countries must use their collective leverage to influence development.

Prime Minister of Dominica Dr Roosevelt Skerrit discussed climate change, resilience to natural disasters and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during the summit.

He said the shared history and commonalities between the Caribbean and Africa make it imperative that the two regions strengthen bilateral ties. He said the relationship with the African Union would enhance cooperation in trade, investment and social development.

Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley said both regions must share at least one direct flight every week. She said a mass media mechanism between the Caribbean and Africa would also strengthen the bilateral relations.

President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya said the COVID-19 pandemic made it visible that the poor in Africa and the Caribbean will suffer more unless they extend their medical research abilities.

He said COVID-19 is a wake-up call that the region must develop its medical infrastructure to manufacture vaccines and other supplies.

The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister of Dominica, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of St Lucia Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Keith Rowley, President of Guyana Dr Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley.

Prime Minister of Belize John Bolcerno and PM of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne participated in the summit.

Other delegations included Caricom Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett, OACPS Secretary-General Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat.