Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade the Hon EP Chet Greene is advocating for countries in Africa and those in the Caribbean to seek out deeper and more practical partnerships that will deliver greater opportunities for their people.
Minister Greene made the call during a high-level meeting of the African Union and CELAC on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, now taking place in New York. CELAC is the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and brings together some 33 countries from across the region and Latin America.
The CELAC–African Union partnership is especially relevant today and this is not lost on Antigua and Barbuda’s Foreign Affairs Minister. It brings together Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean countries to potentially advocate with one voice on issues ranging from development, climate finance, trade among a range of others.
They are also held together as countries in the global south by a shared history of colonialism, slavery and the need to find practical cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and climate resilience.
“The CELAC–Africa partnership is of profound strategic importance. Our regions together represent a significant share of the world’s population, with considerable economic, human and natural resources. More importantly, we share historical experiences, common development challenges and a strong commitment to a more equitable international order,” Minister Greene reminded.
But the Minister noted that their shared aspirations simply are not enough. He noted the time is now to move towards greater practical cooperation. Minister Greene identified strong possibilities for growth for their countries in the areas of trade and investment, connectivity, technology, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, education, health and the creative industries.
He was however quick to add that there could be no progress if their regions do not move to “address the structural barriers that continue to constrain trade and investment between our regions.”
In outlining a vision for the future, the Minister called on his colleagues to move steadfastly towards actualizing a number of key goals that would advance advance practical cooperation and strengthen the bonds between Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
He identified stronger air and maritime connectivity between the regions, greater regulatory and institutional cooperation to facilitate trade and investment, expanded access to development and innovative financing for SMEs and vulnerable economies, and greater use of digital technology to connect businesses, institutions and markets as key priorities that need to be pursued.
He also underscored the need to deepen partnerships in climate resilience and sustainable development, with particular attention to the vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States.
“Antigua and Barbuda remains firmly committed to strengthening CELAC–Africa relations based on mutual respect, solidarity, sovereign equality and shared benefit.
Let us use this opportunity to deepen our partnership, strengthen our collective voice in the multilateral system, and advance a development agenda that is more inclusive, resilient and responsive to the needs of our peoples,” Minister Greene concluded.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Minister Greene advocates at the UN for greater cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean.