The second Africa-CARICOM Summit was held in Addis Ababa from September 6–7 at the African Union Commission, reinforcing stronger ties between Africa and the Caribbean region.
The historic first in-person Summit, convened under the theme “Transcontinental Partnership in Pursuit of Reparatory Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”, brought together African and Caribbean Heads of State and delegations to deliberate on strengthening historic bonds and advancing cooperation in shared areas of interest.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in his welcoming remarks, highlighted the fraternal ties between the two regions and called for the spirit of Medemer (synergy) to guide Africa and the Caribbean toward a dignified and prosperous future.
“Geography may have placed us apart, but history has bound us together,” Prime Minister Abiy stated. “Let us free ourselves from the language of recovering, of being called ‘developing’. Let the waters that once divided us now unite us in dignity and prosperity. Our experience, guided by the spirit of Medemer, together with our collective innovations in energy, agriculture, digital technology, and knowledge, can be a bridge linking Africa and the Caribbean in shared prosperity.”
Heads of State, government representatives, and delegates held extensive discussions on reparatory justice, people-to-people relations, economic and trade partnerships, health, and education. They also committed to closer collaboration on global issues, including peace and security, reform of international financial institutions and the United Nations Security Council, and climate change.
Speaking at the event, Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos emphasized that the Summit aligns with the African Union’s designation of 2025 as the “Year of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.” He noted that this reflects a unified continental vision to address the legacies of slavery, colonialism, and apartheid, and to make reparatory justice a cornerstone of Africa’s global engagement. Ethiopia, he added, reaffirms its commitment to supporting the development and implementation of a coordinated, action-oriented framework for reparatory justice.
The Summit concluded with the adoption of two outcome documents: a joint communiqué and the Addis Ababa Declaration on Transcontinental Partnership in Pursuit of Reparations and Reparatory Justice for Africans and People of African Descent.
The gathering followed commitments made earlier this year between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados on the margins of the 38th AU Assembly.
The first in-person Summit brought together Heads of State, high-level dignitaries, representatives of international organizations, diplomatic missions, the African diaspora, and people of African descent from both regions. It was chaired by João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union, and Dr. Terrance Michael Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and incoming Chair of CARICOM.
Ethiopia hosted the Summit in collaboration with the African Union Commission and CARICOM. The inaugural Africa-CARICOM Summit was held virtually on September 7, 2021, hosted by the Government of Kenya, which also declared September 7 as Africa-CARICOM Day.