The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) air transport
meeting will examine developing air links between the African
continent and its diaspora.
At the opening of the historic meeting being held at the Arthur Chung
Convention Centre (ACCC), Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy
at the African Union Commission, Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, invited the
Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ambassador
Irwin LaRocque, to discuss connecting the Caribbean and the African
continent.
Dr Abou-Zied noted Africa’s population is expected to double to 2.5B
people by 2020 and the African diaspora is estimated at more than 150M
with 23M in the Caribbean alone. While the discussion on this
connectivity has begun, Dr. Abou-Zied noted follow-up is needed.
“Aviation provides a critical infrastructure link for the promotion of
tourism between the Caribbean and the continent and for linking the
people of the Caribbean to the motherland,” Dr Abou-Zied said.
Ambassador LaRocque highlighted air connectivity as critical for
economic growth and development, especially for small island states.
He added there is a vast opportunity for Caribbean states in creating
air linkages with Africa.
“Improved or regular and more affordable air connections facilitate
greater people to people contact, enable economies to attract more
tourists, conduct more trade and attract more foreign investment,”
Ambassador LaRocque noted.
Last February, CARICOM Heads of State approved the CARICOM
Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA) as the region continues to
take measures to liberalize air transport.
“In essence, it provides the required regulatory framework within
which a CARICOM air carrier can provide air transport services between
member states which are parties to the agreement,” Ambassador LaRocque
explained.
Guyana was among the first signatory to MASA. Prime Minister Moses
Nagamootoo noted the need to remove traditional restrictions to
improve connectivity and access to international destinations.
“Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean look forward with renewed
confidence at the expansion of links with non-traditional markets,
such as with the African Union. Africa and the Caribbean are joined by
the Atlantic crossing; and by history, and culture. It is long overdue
that we should have air transport connectivity.”
The ICAO air transport meeting is being held under the theme
“Promoting Connectivity for Sustainable Air Transport Development”.
The meeting concludes on November 23.
