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On January 8, 2025, Cotonou, the economic hub of Benin, hosted the first-ever official meeting between Benin and CARICOM (Caribbean Community) foreign ministers. This unprecedented event symbolizes a mutual commitment to building sustainable partnerships and strengthening ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
The summit, attended by high-ranking officials and diplomats, focused on various strategic areas including economic collaboration, cultural exchange, and international cooperation.
Ahead of the main event, Benin’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, held bilateral discussions with four CARICOM foreign ministers: Vince Henderson (Dominica), Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste (Haiti), Frederick Audley Mitchel (Bahamas), and Joseph Andall (Grenada). These preliminary talks paved the way for robust dialogue and set the foundation for collaborative initiatives in trade, education, and diplomacy.
Additionally, Minister Bakari met with representatives from Suriname and Barbados, further solidifying Benin’s outreach to CARICOM member states.
The summit agenda covered a wide array of topics aimed at fostering cooperation. Key discussions included:
- Economic Integration: Delegates emphasized the importance of boosting trade and investments, particularly in agriculture, energy, technology, and manufacturing. Plans for a Benin-CARICOM Business and Investment Forum were announced to enhance private sector engagement.
- Cultural and Historical Connections: With a shared history rooted in the transatlantic slave trade, both regions pledged to strengthen Afro-Caribbean links through educational and cultural programs. Benin’s recent adoption of a law recognizing Afro-descendants’ nationality was lauded as a significant step in reconnecting the diaspora to Africa.
- Diplomatic Coordination: The ministers agreed to support each other in international forums like the United Nations, uniting around common issues faced by small and developing states.
A major theme of the summit was the vulnerability of participating nations to climate change. The delegates underscored the urgency of joint strategies for climate adaptation, renewable energy, and marine conservation.
Youth empowerment was another priority. Proposals included exchange programs focusing on science, technology, and entrepreneurship to foster innovation and job creation for young people in both regions.
Recognizing the potential for cultural tourism, Benin announced initiatives to attract Caribbean visitors, including heritage tours of sites tied to the slave trade. Plans to ease visa requirements and establish direct flights between Africa and the Caribbean were also discussed, aiming to enhance connectivity and foster greater people-to-people engagement.
The Benin-CARICOM summit concluded with the signing of a joint communiqué, formalizing commitments to deeper cooperation. Delegates expressed optimism about future collaborations that could serve as a model for South-South partnerships.
