UNITED NATIONS – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett, Monday said that reparations for Haiti continue to be central to CARICOM’s reparations claim.
CARICOM Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett addressing the the High-Level Segment of the Fourth Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent on MOnday (CMC Photo)Addressing the opening of the High-Level Segment of the Fourth Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, Barnett said that April 2025 marks the bicentenary of the indemnity of 150 million francs imposed on Haiti by France as reparations for loss of property, including enslaved Africans, and as a precondition for recognizing the island’s independence.
“The negative economic and social effects of this historical injustice are painfully clear, with arguable links to the situation in Haiti today. This anniversary presents an opportunity to bring global attention and a deeper understanding of the situation in Haiti and serves as a call to action to address the ongoing security, humanitarian and governance crises in the country,” she told the forum that is being held under the theme “Africa and people of African descent: United for reparatory justice in the age of Artificial Intelligence”.
The CARICOM Secretary General said that the theme coincides with the commencement of the United Nations Second Decade for People of African Descent and that given the insightful conclusions and recommendations from the previous sessions, and the transformative agenda which it has been promoting within the framework of the United Nations, “we support the call for greater resources for the Permanent Forum to continue to effectively address its important agenda.
“Systemic inequality, racial discrimination, and reparatory justice for the global African community continue to be priority areas to be addressed during the Second Decade,” she said, noting that the Second International Decade for People of African Descent provides renewed impetus to advance CARICOM’s own reparations agenda for repair, justice, and the development of people of African descent, as well as the Indigenous people.
“It is an opportunity to confront the consequences of European colonization and enslavement, and to call attention to the enduring legacies of these historical injustices. Of importance also is that the African Union (AU) is observing 2025 as the year for “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”.
Barnett said that CARICOM leaders at their summit in July last year expressed full support for increased participation and collaboration by the region in the meetings and work of the Permanent Forum.
She said the CARICOM Reparations Commission, in particular, stands ready to collaborate with the Permanent Forum to advance material improvements for people of African descent as outcomes of the Second International Decade, and especially for women, children and youth.
Barnett said that as the partnership between CARICOM and the AU continues to grow, the demand for justice and development is a common call.
She said CARICOM is pleased that this partnership is being strengthened, with milestone collaborations through the first Africa-CARICOM summit held in 2021, the high level AU Study Tour to Barbados, in August 2023, “which focused on developing stronger CARICOM-AU cooperation on reparations and racial healing; and the participation of government and civil society representatives from our region in the Accra Reparations Conference” hosted by Ghana in November 2023.
Barnett said CARICOM is looking forward to the Second CARICOM-AU summit to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on September 7 this year and other strategic engagements to advance the shared agenda.
The CARICOM Secretary General said that the themes of reparatory justice and economic justice have been consistent on the agenda of the Permanent Forum.
She said as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to develop exponentially, Africans and people of African descent, are at risk of being further left behind.
“Inequitable access to AI tools and training further widens the digital divide, disadvantaging and leaving people of African heritage, and their businesses ill-equipped to effectively compete in a rapidly evolving global economy in which AI is increasingly a critical factor.
“To navigate these vulnerabilities, it is important for the Permanent Forum to advocate for inclusive policy frameworks and initiatives, investments in digital literacy, science and technology, and innovation. If we are to thrive in this era, we must prioritize education and innovation, and advocate for inclusive governance frameworks.”
Narnett said Africa has long been a wellspring of knowledge and innovation in mathematics, engineering, astronomy, agriculture, traditional healing and philosophy.
“This legacy must now be reclaimed and recognized in development and management, including regulation of Artificial Intelligence. We must also stand against the use of AI, through its applications and algorithms, to perpetuate racial discrimination.”
She said the forum is an opportunity to pool the collective knowledge and expertise of all members “and strengthen our commitment to improve the lives of Africans and people of African descent all over the world.
“I encourage everyone to continue to work together to eradicate deeply embedded structures of racism and inequality, and build inclusive societies where the human rights of all people, including African people, are respected.”
In his address to the opening ceremony, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the meeting is taking place at a time of profound challenges, both old and new and that the legacies of colonialism and enslavement continue to poison the world.
“We still bear witness to the scourge of racism, which blights lives and stains societies.
People of African descent continue to face injustice, exclusion, systemic discrimination and violence,” he said, noting that even AI, which holds such promise for humanity, too often mirrors and amplifies the same inequalities and racial biases that have plagued us for centuries.
“Power is concentrated in the hands of the few. And too many people, countries and communities remain unable to benefit from all that these technologies have to o,” he said, adding “we need to eliminate bias from artificial intelligence, and to ensure that these technologies advance equality, inclusion and digital justice”.
