(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) – On Saturday, 6 September, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett, engaged with Caribbean nationals living in Ethiopia.
The engagement took place on the eve of CARICOM-Africa Day and, one day before Heads of Government from CARICOM and Africa convened for their second meeting and their first in person.
“It is my honor to stand before sons and daughters of the Caribbean, whose journeys have brought you to Africa, where you have found a familiar history and culture and made a new home,” Dr. Barnett said at the meeting, which was held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. The event was themed: “Bridging Communities: Strengthening Caribbean-Africa Relations Through Diaspora Engagement, Reparatory Justice, Climate Innovation, Cultural and Inter-Faith Diplomacy.”
Reflecting on the long history of Caribbean migration, she noted,
“Caribbean people have a long history of migration. Indeed, save for the original peoples of the Caribbean, we are migrants, whether by choice or by force. Our outward migration from the Caribbean, in the last century or so, has resulted in Caribbean Diaspora communities known for sharing their vibrant and diverse cultures wherever they go across the globe, including here in Ethiopia.”
Dr. Barnett also updated the Caribbean diaspora in Ethiopia on the state of the Community, stating,
“I bring greetings to you from your CARICOM family. Through their hard work at all levels, the Community continues to thrive. Notwithstanding the many challenges we face, CARICOM has been growing and strengthening, advocating globally, led by our indefatigable leaders on those critical global issues which affect our development and sustainability,”
In addition, she shared how CARICOM and Africa are working to deepen their partnership. She highlighted the Memorandum of Understanding signed last year between the CARICOM Secretariat and the African Union Commission, which outlines cooperation and collaboration in areas critical to both regions.
Read Dr. Barnett’s full remarks below.
TOWN HALL MEETING WITH CARIBBEAN NATIONALS
6 SEPTEMBER 2025
HOLY TRINITY CATHEDRAL
BRIDGING COMMUNITIES: STRENGTHENING CARIBBEAN-AFRICA RELATIONS THROUGH DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT, REPARATORY JUSTICE, CLIMATE INNOVATION, CULTURAL AND INTER-FAITH DIPLOMACY
SALUTATIONS
It is my pleasure to be here to join what can reasonably be described as a reasoning session, to exchange information and ideas on the eve of CARICOM- Africa Day and the day before Heads of Government of CARICOM and Africa meet for the second time, and the first time, in person.
It is my honor to stand before sons and daughters of the Caribbean, whose journeys have brought you to Africa, where you have found a familiar history and culture and made a new home.
Caribbean people have a long history of migration. Indeed, save for the original peoples of the Caribbean, we are migrants, whether by choice or by force. Our outward migration from the Caribbean, in the last century or so, has resulted in Caribbean Diaspora communities known for sharing their vibrant and diverse cultures wherever they go across the globe, including here in Ethiopia.
I bring greetings to you from your CARICOM family. Through their hard work at all levels, the Community continues to thrive. Notwithstanding the many challenges we face, CARICOM has been growing and strengthening, advocating globally, led by our indefatigable leaders on those critical global issues which affect our development and sustainability. Key economic drivers, such as tourism, construction, manufacturing and agriculture remain vital pillars of our economies, and we continue to cherish our strong record of democracy.
However, along with Africa and many other regions of the world, we face, in CARICOM, an ongoing battle with the adverse effects of natural disasters, shifting global trade and economic policies, and geo-political tensions. The focus of today’s gathering is therefore both timely and deliberate, as both the Caribbean and Africa seek to carve out our own strategies for growth and development.
The focus of this gathering on ‘Bridging Communities’ speaks to a shared desire for deepened collaboration and connections between our Regions.
Distinguished guests,
CARICOM and Africa have been making progress in efforts to strengthen our partnership. The Secretariats of CARICOM and the African Union Commission last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate and collaborate as regional secretariats on areas that are critical to both regions.
Even as we are beginning to operationalise this MOU, efforts are ongoing in areas such as health, trade and investment, air transportation and cultural exchanges. Several CARICOM Member States have been especially pleased to host the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) since 2022.
During the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA XV)), held in Barbados last month the Community also greatly enjoyed the acclaimed Ghanaian theatrical production, “Mansa Musa”.
These efforts have played a significant role in deepening awareness and advancing the relationships needed to be built. As we strengthen the partnership between the Caribbean and Africa, we will continue to focus on the common needs and aspirations of our people.
Joint efforts to strengthen economic and trade partnerships, improve transportation links, expand cultural exchanges and co-celebrations will accelerate. Collaboration on these and critical issues such climate action, renewable energy, and people to people exchanges will leverage the unique expertise and resources that diaspora communities possess.
This generation can take advantage of our shared heritage to build a transformative and sustainable joint legacy for the Caribbean and Africa. This discussion here this afternoon will be discussing these and other matters, contributing ideas that must contend.
Let it be done.
Thank you.
