Chancellors Jean Victor Havel Jean Baptiste; (Haiti), Dr Vince HENDERSON (Dominica); Frédéric Audley MITCHELL (Bahamas); Joseph Andall (Grenada), Daven Joseph, ambassador, representative of Antigua and Barbuda; Omar Fazal Shérif ABDOELRAHMAN, head of the delegation of Suriname; ambassador Juliette BYNOE-SOUTHERLAND, and the head of the delegation of Barbados; ambassador André HIBBERT, head of the delegation of Jamaica
By Volcy Assad, Gazette Haiti, Jan. 8, 2025
The first ministerial meeting of the Benin-Caricom foreign ministers was held this Tuesday in Cotonou, Benin. In the midst of a Voodoo festival, Chancellors Jean Victor Havel Jean Baptiste; (Haiti), Dr Vince HENDERSON (Dominica); Frédéric Audley MITCHELL (Bahamas); Joseph Andall (Grenada), Daven Joseph, ambassador, representative of Antigua and Barbuda; Omar Fazal Shérif ABDOELRAHMAN, head of the delegation of Suriname; ambassador Juliette BYNOE-SOUTHERLAND, and the head of the delegation of Barbados; ambassador André HIBBERT, head of the delegation of Jamaica exchanged views on common issues on the bilateral, regional and international levels. According to a press release, the meeting served as a framework for discussions with a view to strengthening cooperation relations between the member countries of CARICOM and Benin.
As part of these exchanges, the foreign ministers emphasized their "historical, memorial, cultural and economic links as well as the connection between African and Afro-descendant populations to explore innovative avenues of collaboration with a view to building mutually beneficial strategic partnerships."
They also agreed on the need for them to support each other and coordinate their positions in major international meetings such as the UN in defending the rights and interests of small and developing states while consolidating their loyalty to peace and security.
Haiti at the center of concerns
At the end of this meeting, the foreign ministers expressed concern about the socio-political and security situation prevailing in Haiti while welcoming the involvement of Benin, CARICOM, and other international partners in promoting peace and development in Haiti. They also committed to strengthening bilateral and multi-national ties in the areas of trade, economy, tourism, investment protection, climate action and sustainable development and security.
Economic and commercial cooperation
Issues related to economic and trade cooperation were widely discussed at this summit meeting. To this end, the ministers placed particular emphasis on the role that the private sectors of their countries should play and agreed to create a favorable framework for trade and investment, particularly in the sectors of agriculture, energy, digital technology and manufacturing.
In this perspective, Benin could be used as a gateway to African markets for CARICOM investments and also guarantee access for this country in their geographical area.
To ensure all this, they should conclude an agreement on trade and investment and are committed to supporting economic operators in their investment projects. A new forum called the Benin-CARICOM Forum on Business and Investment will soon be launched.
Youth and employment
The foreign ministers of Benin and the CARICOM countries also discussed issues related to employment and youth. They plan to create exchange programs in several areas such as science, technology, engineering and thus promote the empowerment of young people through entrepreneurship, professional and technical training.
In regard to the movement of people between countries, participants welcomed the decision of the Beninese authorities to adopt a law on the recognition of Beninese nationality to Afro-descendants in the Republic of Benin. They also plan on improving travel between the regions of Africa and the Caribbean by reciprocally removing visa restrictions. The possibility of opening an airline is also on the agenda for future discussions.
Tourism
Benin has set up programs allowing Afro-descendants from the Antilles to visit the tourist and cultural sites of this country. The programs focus on those whose past links to the slave trade while offering an authentic narrative of history that had been distorted for too long.
Cultural diplomacy
The idea of cultural diplomacy was at the center of the concerns. They stressed the need for promotion in this sense by organizing festivals, art exhibitions, and collaborations between the media of these countries in order to highlight their common heritage.
The Climate
Climate issues were also discussed at the end of this first Benin-CARICOM ministerial meeting.
The participants were very aware of the vulnerability of their respective countries to the effects of climate change. They want to promote joint actions "on mitigation and adaptation strategies by encouraging cooperation in the sectors of the green economy, renewable energies and sustainable practices". The blue economy and the preservation of maritime resources are also in the program.
The joint communiqué was signed at the end of the meeting by all participants in this Benin-Caricom ministerial meeting.
Translated by CHIP editors
Posted Jan. 16, 2025