Addis Ababa, September 7, 2025 (FMC) — Angola’s President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço has urged African and Caribbean nations to unite in a new transcontinental alliance aimed at pursuing justice, reparations, economic cooperation, and institutional reform.
Speaking at the Second Africa–Caribbean Summit in Addis Ababa, President Lourenço described the summit as a pivotal step toward reclaiming dignity and reinforcing solidarity among peoples bound by a “common history and blood ties.”
“Our goal is to transform the scars of the past into bridges of solidarity, cooperation, and justice,” he said, stressing that member states must move beyond declarations and adopt actionable strategies.
The president highlighted the importance of institutionalizing cooperation mechanisms, including the Afro-Caribbean Reparative Justice Mechanism and the Global Reparations Fund, to provide a structured framework for reparatory efforts.
He also praised recent economic collaborations, such as the opening of the AfreximBank office in the Caribbean and ongoing Afro-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forums. President Lourenço referenced the September 2024 Memorandum of Understanding as a foundation for expanded cooperation in trade, education, culture, and scientific exchange.
To enhance connectivity, he proposed a Multilateral Air Services Agreement, visa-free travel, and the establishment of direct flights between the two regions. He further called for a Joint Communication and Media Platform and an Africa–CARICOM Public-Private Partnership to mobilize resources for sustainable development.
For long-term collaboration, President Lourenço suggested creating Permanent Technical Subcommittees of experts focused on strategic sectors such as vaccine production, agriculture, and digital technology. He also emphasized youth engagement, recommending an AU–CARICOM Youth Council to ensure that younger generations play a central role in shaping the partnership’s future.
Addressing global challenges, he criticized the growing ineffectiveness of international institutions in tackling climate change, food insecurity, and economic instability, calling for urgent reforms to make the United Nations Security Council more representative and effective.
President Lourenço also expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, condemning what he described as a “veritable genocide” and affirming support for an independent State of Palestine.
Concluding his address, he described the summit as a “decisive milestone” for Africans and people of African descent worldwide in their pursuit of prosperity, justice, and dignity.