CARICOM Secretary-General Emphasizes Shared Challenges, Cooperation Opportunities with Africa

Addis Ababa, September 6, 2025 (ENA) – The Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Carla Barnett, underscored that the shared challenges faced by the Caribbean and Africa foster opportunities for collaboration and unity.

The second Africa-Caribbean Ministers of Health meeting is underway in Addis Ababa with the objectives of advancing shared solutions for health system resilience and health financing.

Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary-General noted that the common challenges between Caribbean and Africa create space for cooperation and solidarity as deepening cooperation on concrete priorities such as health workforce development, sustainable financing and collaborative research  are pivotal. 

Barnett said this meeting presents an opportunity to accelerate activities together, and to advance health as a pillar of sustainable social and economic development.

The second joint meeting is a clear signal that Africa and the Caribbean are working more closely together as the regions are bound by history, and we share a vision for the future, she further elaborated.

Health has long been a central focus of the regional development agenda in CARICOM, guided by the Caribbean cooperation and health framework, she stated.

"Our responsibility is not only to exchange ideas, but to agree on concrete actions that can be pursued collectively by all governments and supported by all regional institution."

Addressing the meeting, Ethiopia's Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba said speaking with one voice allows the two regions to influence global health governance.

"Health is not just a right, but also a foundation for dignity, resilience, sustainable development; and by lighting our aspiration, we can move from fragmented advocacy to a collective action, " Dr. Mekdes said.

According to her, mobilizing sustainable financing through fair global reforms and coordinated voice that shifts the balance of global governance in health is essential.

She elaborated that the meeting is a platform to come together, act and strengthen primary health care.

Mobilizing sustainable financing through fair global reforms and increased domestic investment, building on climate resilience, health, ensuring access to essential medicines, shock, responsive medical services, are instrumental, she elaborated.

For the minister, strategic partnership is not just about advancing universal healthcare coverage and achieving SDG three, but it is about reclaiming the voice and asserting the global health equity.

"This is our moment, not to just agree on principles, but to act with practice. We must transform solidarity into concrete programs, shared investment, coordinated position that shifts the balance of global governance in health, " the minister elaborated.

Mekdes stressed the need for action to make health as a central pillar of the South to South partnership, speaking with one voice in global health diplomacy, securing health finance, and equitable access to meaningful Global Health representation.

Furthermore, the minister emphasized to deliver pharmaceutical sovereignty through joint African Caribbean efforts, local medicine, vaccine manufacturing, and strengthening capacity of preventable and non-preventable diseases together.

The meeting is also anticipated to promote joint action on health financing, workforce strengthening, climate resilience and digital health Innovation, it was indicated.