WASHINGTON, DC – PRIME MINISTER and incoming CARICOM Chair, Dr. Terrance Drew, has called for concrete action in strengthening ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
Dr. Drew is among several regional leaders attending the African Union-CARICOM Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where discussions are centered on boosting trade, investment, and partnerships.
“This engagement will allow for broader discussion on the 2024 AU-CARICOM Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Upscaling Engagement and Linkages with People of African Descent, particularly the strengthening of interregional economic partnerships and enhanced people-to-people ties,,” Dr. Drew said.
The summit is being held under the theme: “Transcontinental Partnership in Pursuit of Reparatory Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.”
During his address at the opening session yesterday (Sept. 7), Dr. Drew urged leaders to move beyond words in order to acheive the priorities for the two regions.
“Excellencies, our discussions today should allow us to come to a common understanding and collaboration on a wide range of issues pertinent to our shared priorities. These include reparations, multilateral cooperation, reform of the international financial architecture, debt sustainability, finance, education, health, climate change, youth engagement, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, trade and investment, maritime and air transport, tourism, and cultural exchanges,” he said.
He stressed that collaboration between Africa and CARICOM requires urgency. "Current global events demonstrate clearly that it is in the best interests of both Africa and CARICOM to work together, as developing Regions, to achieve increased levels of economic and social progress. And I heard the word of the President that we are to drop the word ‘developing’ and convert that into something that represents what we are seeking to achieve."
The prime minister also highlighted the need for stronger transport links, noting there must be increased linkages to reaffirm the connection between the region.
“We need increased transportation linkages to reinforce our bonds, as our peoples should travel freely and unabated to Africa and CARICOM. We need increased trade and investment, building on the experience, potential, and amplification of the cultural, historical, and economic linkages between our Regions,”added Drew.
While referencing the history of slavery, Dr. Drew urged leaders to transform the past into a foundation for unity.
"We have the opportunity to rewrite historical outcomes and to be champions of our own destiny. CARICOM remains committed to the CARICOM-AU partnership on this fifth anniversary of Africa-CARICOM Day, as we celebrate the enduring kinship and deepening partnership between our people, between the Caribbean Community and Africa.”
Regional leaders believe there is significant untapped market potential between Africa and the Caribbean, which is now being actively explored. With support from Afreximbank, new opportunities are emerging to strengthen economic ties between the two regions, where trade currently accounts for less than 1 percent.
