Africa-Press – Angola. Angolan president João Lourenço played a central role at the Second Africa-CARICOM Summit, held in Addis Ababa on Sunday, which brought the two transatlantic regions closer together.
As chairperson of the African Union (AU), João Lourenço delivered the opening speech at the summit and chaired the plenary sessions that lasted until the end of the day.
Lourenço highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between Africa and the Caribbean, evoking the heritage of the diaspora and the pan-Africanist legacy.
He highlighted the AU’s designation of 2025 as the year of “Justice for Africans and Afro-descendants through Reparations” and defended the crucial role of the Afro-Caribbean Reparative Justice Mechanism and the Global Reparations Fund in achieving this symbolic and transformative agenda.
President João Lourenço then spoke at an economic panel on the theme “Promoting stronger relations between Africa and the Caribbean Region” having reinforced the need to translate political commitments into concrete actions.
He gave the examples of the opening of the Afreximbank office in the Caribbean and the Afro-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forums. He called for the implementation of other measures to be accelerated.
Among the practical proposals, the AU leader mentioned the creation of a joint communication platform, the signing of a multilateral air services agreement, visa facilitation, and the establishment of direct flights between countries in the two regions.
João Lourenço called for the establishment of permanent technical subcommittees, composed of representatives from the AU, CARICOM, civil society, and the private sector to develop projects in strategic areas such as vaccines, agricultural innovation, the blue economy, and digital transformation.
He stressed the importance of enhanced cooperation on human rights, democracy, good governance, and the fight against terrorism and organized crime.
In João Lourenço’s view, only through a joint voice can Africa and the Caribbean have greater influence in major international forums.
João Lourenço held a bilateral meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, demonstrating the attention given to the host country, strengthening ties between Angola and Ethiopia, and valuing the host’s hospitality and diplomatic role.
The Angolan statesman’s actions have reinforced his image as a leader committed to building a transcontinental partnership based on concrete results for the peoples of Africa and the Caribbean.
Source: ANGOP
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