PM Hinds confirms CARICOM support for global African Diaspora

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds represented Guyana at the First Global African Diaspora Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa earlier this week at which  the work done and the outcomes of the Diaspora conference held in Jamaica in 2005, and meetings of the Diaspora held in Senegal in 2004, and Brazil in 2006 were reviewed.

Addressing the Summit on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Mr. Hinds noted that, “For the first time in our history, the leaders and representatives of African, Latin American and Caribbean nations and the African Diaspora will gather to recognise and celebrate the diverse and rich threads of the African Diaspora that are continuously woven into a single tapestry that is Africa.”  The Prime Minister added that African culture, resources, history and aspirations have constituted a wellspring of inspiration for people around the world.

He conveyed the affinity and solidarity of the Governments and peoples of the African Diaspora in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) with the Governments and peoples of South Africa, and the African Continent.PM Hinds pointed out the significance of the Summit’s theme Towards the Realization of a United Integrated Africa and its Diaspora, on Africa Day, “a day which marks the annual commemoration of the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity, and its successor, the African Union.  It is therefore, fitting that we pay tribute to the African Union for its visionary role in bringing together the continent of Africa, to collectively address Africa’s challenges – in particular those which threaten peace and security, and the socio-economic advancement and environmental preservation of the nation-states of Africa,” he stated.

The Prime Minister said that the high level of participation at the Summit underpins the commitment of African leaders to collectively ensure that the continent of Africa can fulfil its potential towards sustained economic and social development, and the attainment of a satisfactory standard of living for its peoples.