Former Prime Minister, PJ Patterson, has issued an urgent call for plans to be put in place to stage a second Africa Caricom (Caribbean community) Summit aimed at strengthening ties between the two regions.

In a release to mark Saturday’s third commemoration of Africa Caricom Day, Patterson underscored the importance of the two regions, linked by historical and cultural similarities, combined with shared social, political and economic circumstances, to “speak with one united voice” to address common issues.

“African and Caribbean states comprise more than a third of the membership in the United Nations (UN). This significant membership should be maximized as leverage for a more powerful voice of African and Caribbean states on the global stage,” Patterson, stateman-in-residence at The PJ Patterson Institute for Africa Caribbean Advocacy (Institute), said.

“At the present time there is the need for global restructuring against the background of wars and ethnic conflicts, global warming, food security, energy and financial crises. The UN Secretary General has warned that gains made in development and reaching the Sustainable Development Goals are in danger of being eroded,” he continued, adding “It is therefore essential that Africa and the Caribbean speak with one united voice and make good on the promise of full collaboration and a single position to address the common issues facing Africa and the Caribbean.”

Against this background, he said it is critical that Africa and the Caribbean designate individuals responsible for the urgent implementation of a second Africa Caricom summit, following the first summit four years ago, on September 7, 2021, when it was hosted virtually by the Republic of Kenya.

“Despite the hectic schedule of intense international engagement, the Institute is compelled to implore our Heads of government and state to avoid a collapse or disappearance from their focus the consequential decisions taken at the first Summit,” Patterson said.

“The Institute therefore urges the AU and Caricom to designate a Head on both sides of the Atlantic who will ensure that the Second Summit takes place as a matter of urgency and in the most propitious environment for moving forward,” he added.

Among the important matters at hand, Patterson said: “There is presently, an urgent need for Heads to determine how we can proceed most effectively in areas of joint interest, such as climate change and resilience, health and food security, trade and investment as we promote greater people to people exchange in sports, music, culture, technology and innovation.”

It is not the first time that Patterson has made an appeal to African and Caribbean leaders to act in organising the second Summit.

One year ago, the stateman-in-residence at The PJ Patterson Institute for Africa Caribbean Advocacy voiced the concern of the Institute that, “no host, time or place for the second Summit that was due in 2022 were in place.

“Further delay in setting these constitutes a clear and frightening danger,” Patterson warned.