Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in the 1st Benin-CARICOM Ministerial Meeting held on January 8, 2025, in Cotonou, Benin. The event, hosted by Beninese Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, focused on the theme: “Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Promoting Pan-African and Caribbean Cooperation.”
This groundbreaking meeting brought together eight Foreign Ministers from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to consolidate ties between Benin and Afro-descendant nations while advancing CARICOM’s strategic goal of fostering partnerships to drive development across member states.
On the sidelines of the summit, Ministers Jean-Baptiste and Bakari engaged in discussions centered on enhancing bilateral relations and fostering collaboration in key areas. The talks emphasized the importance of mutual support in international forums and the development of concrete, sustainable initiatives in diplomacy, security, education, culture, and scientific research.
As a result of their discussions, the two nations signed a renewable five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize their commitment to regular political consultations on bilateral and global issues.
“This agreement symbolizes an ambitious partnership for shared interests and a common future,” stated Chancellor Jean-Baptiste.
The Benin-CARICOM meeting marks a significant step toward uniting African nations and the global Afro-descendant community, reaffirming their dedication to mutual progress and international collaboration.
