By Hon. E. P. Chet Greene
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Today, in a powerful moment of transatlantic solidarity, the black world turns its eyes to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the second Africa-Caribbean summit. The gathering is not just a meeting of diplomats; it is a profound homecoming, a strategic realignment and the culmination of centuries of shared history, struggle and aspiration. As leaders of the African Union (AU) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) convene for their second summit, they officially celebrate Africa-Caricom Day, a symbol of a new chapter for the Global South.
This day is more than a date on the calendar; it is an affirmation of an unbreakable bond. It acknowledges the brutal rupture of the Transatlantic Slave Trade that displaced millions of Africans to the Caribbean and now, celebrates the deliberate and strategic effort to rebuild those connections for a shared future. The summit represents a long overdue institutional embrace between the mother continent and her mighty diaspora, poised to leverage our collective strength on the world stage.
The agenda in Addis Ababa is expected to be both pragmatic and profoundly symbolic, addressing immediate practical needs while healing historical wounds.
At the heart of this reunion lies the urgent and morally charged issue of reparatory justice. CARICOM, through its CARICOM Reparations Commission, has been a global leader in crafting a ten point plan for reparations from former European colonial powers.
This summit elevates that call to a continental level. By uniting the 55-member African Union with the 15-member CARICOM bloc, the movement gains unprecedented diplomatic weight and a unified voice. It transforms from a regional appeal into a global campaign, grounded in the undeniable truth that the underdevelopment of both regions is a direct consequence of centuries of exploitation and enslavement.
Beyond righting the wrongs of the past, the summit will focus on building a prosperous future. Leaders are set to discuss concrete measures to enhance trade and investment between the regions. This includes exploring mechanisms to reduce trade barriers, facilitate investment in key sectors like tourism, agriculture, renewable energy and infrastructure while creating a new economic corridor across the South Atlantic. Discussions on improved air and sea connectivity will be a critical item on the agenda, as direct travel links are essential for boosting tourism, business exchanges and people-to-people contact, making the vast Atlantic feel more like a bridge than a barrier.
In the 21st-century economy, knowledge is currency. Both Africa and the Caribbean face similar challenges, from climate change to public health and food security. The summit provides a platform to foster collaboration in science and technology, sharing innovations in climate-resilient agriculture, digital finance and telemedicine. By pooling intellectual resources and creating joint research initiatives, the two regions can accelerate their development and reduce dependency on external actors.
