BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbados Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (Caricom), David Commissiong is calling for “people-based annual commemorative activities” in observance of Africa-Caricom Day.

A special meeting of the Heads of Government of Caricom and the African Union (AU) on September 7, 2021, designated that September 7 of every year be observed as Africa-Caricom Day, and that the annual Africa-Caricom Summit be held, virtually or in-person every September 7.

There has never been a follow-up summit since then, but Ambassador Commissiong is hopeful that with the recent strengthening of relations between the region and Africa through the “presence and contributions of the African Export – Import Bank (Afreximbank) in our Caribbean Community over the past two years”, Barbados’ establishment of Embassies in Ghana and Kenya, and the recent African Union- Economic Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC) Reparations Study Tour to the Caribbean, that more would be done this year towards a commemoration of the day.

“Indeed, the annual “Africa-Caricom Day” must be primarily used as a mechanism to bring the people of Africa and the Caribbean together,” Commissiong said.

He disclosed that a number of activities are planned to mark the observance of Africa-Caricom Day this year, including flag raising ceremonies at the Government Headquarters of all AU and Caricom member states, and the “undertaking of popular national reflections on outstanding aspects of our nations’ engagement.