Havana, June 14 (RHC)-- The Brazil-Caribbean Summit, with the participation of leaders from 17 countries, will address the situation in Haiti, promote robust climate financing, and expand food security and energy connectivity.
Convened by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the meeting brought together heads of state and ministers from Brazil, Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, and 13 other Caribbean nations in a joint effort to revitalize South-South integration in the face of common challenges.
One of the main announcements was the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)'s pledge to allocate $290 million to Haiti to strengthen school meals, rebuild hospitals, and rehabilitate basic infrastructure.
The Haitian situation dominated the discussions, and Lula urged the United Nations and the international community to take a more active role and strengthen their diplomatic and humanitarian presence in the Caribbean country.
Along the same lines, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley stated that "Haiti needs the world's support more than ever."
Another central focus was climate change, with participants agreeing to demand solid financing from developed countries, especially for small island states, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), to be held in November in the Amazonian city of Belém.
Lula also proposed promoting the shared use of renewable energy sources (solar, wind, and biofuels), highlighting the potential for technological and production cooperation between Brazil and the Caribbean.
Faced with an obvious reality that affects more than 12 million Caribbean residents, the commitment to the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty was reinforced. Cuba, Barbados, Saint Lucia, and the IDB formally joined this initiative, which also includes other countries in the region.
Initiatives were also announced to improve air, sea, and land connectivity between Brazil and the Caribbean.
With support from the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), the forum "Brazil Opens its Doors to the Caribbean" will be promoted, focusing on boosting trade and logistics integration.
Cuba actively participated in the meeting. Its vice president, Salvador Valdés, held several meetings with Caribbean prime ministers and expressed gratitude for the firm support of the region and the Brazilian government in denouncing the US blockade.
The summit concluded with a renewed commitment to regional cooperation. Beyond urgent aid to Haiti, a common roadmap toward COP30 was outlined, marked by climate justice, food sovereignty, and energy integration, in an effort to consolidate a distinct voice for the Global South.
(Source: Prensa Latina)
