Barbados High Commission at London, U.K.

On 22nd June, 2026 the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Amin Muhammad Dalhatu, a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in international relations and bilateral diplomacy, and I held engaging discussions during my courtesy call at his Mission. Minister Counsellor Dr Ricardo Kellman also attended.

Nigeria remains our most strategically important partner in West Africa by virtue of its huge and increasing population, economic scale, growing economic middle class and increasing connectivity, including in financial services and banking, with the Caribbean.

We discussed progress being made on the establishment of an air services agreement between our two nations, particularly pertinent in view of the inauguration of direct flights between Lagos and Grantley Adams International Airport by Air Peace from last month.

I also raised the urgent issue of our request for visa waiver agreement which would remove visa requirements for Barbadian citizens travelling to Nigeria, a policy which would facilitate increased travel by our people to Nigeria and to other nations in West Africa.

We dialogued on the real potential for increased tourism, business and diaspora conferences, commercial engagement, trade, investment and property ownership, student educational and cultural exchanges between the people of our two republics, including those who reside in the United Kingdom.

We pledged to support in every way possible, from our positions as lead representatives of our two governments in the United Kingdom, the policy to advance closer ties and relationships between our countries and our respective regions to the mutual benefit of our citizens.
- HE Edmund G Hinkson, SC

It was a pleasure to have an audience with the Speaker of the House of Commons, His Honour Sir Lindsay Hoyle, M.P. on 17th June, 2026

We discussed processes as to how CARICOM High Commissioners in the United Kingdom could better lobby, and bring direct attention to, Members of Parliament on issues of significance to our region as well as to our nationals resident in the United Kingdom.

I also raised the possibility of more frequent exchange visits between our Members of Parliament and Parliamentary Staff in Barbados and those of the United Kingdom's Parliament, so that better understanding, increased knowledge and effective communication can be developed between our two countries at this level to enhance our respective Parliamentarians' representation of their constituents.

We also found common ground in our mutual deep knowledge of cricket, discussing some of our cricketing heroes from both sides as well as the tremendous contribution which West Indian cricketers made to the sporting and social fabric of England.

- HE Edmund G Hinkson, SC

Photos used with the permission of the House of Commons

Delighted to have met on 22nd June, 2026 with my former Cabinet and Parliamentary colleague Honourable Trevor Prescod, M.P., Minister in the Prime Minister's Office with responsibility for Pan-African and Heritage, my contemporary since our teenage years, His Excellency Ambassador to CARICOM David Comissiong as well as Her Excellency Lo**ta Applewhaite, CHB, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on CARICOM and Commonwealth Affairs.

It was an opportunity for me to be updated on the very important discussions to ensure alignment between our CARICOM and African nations which took place in Ghana at last week's High-level Consultative Conference on the Next steps to the Landmark United Nations Resolution on the Trafficking of enslaved Africans.

This Conference was also attended by Prime Minister the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley S.C., M.P.
- HE Edmund G Hinkson, SC

I had the unique honour on 13th June, 2026 to deliver the feature address in Birmingham at the annual dinner hosted by the West Indian Ex Service Personnel Reunion Association.

Many West Indian servicemen, having served in the British Armed Forces during both the First and Second World Wars, later returned to Britain as part of the Windrush Generation from 1948. They permanently re-shaped the socio-economic fabric of that country and assisted in re-building post-war Britain. Many were not yet 18 years old when they departed from the West Indies to fight for the Empire.

My speech drew parallels between the discrimination which a very significant number of them faced in the United Kingdom on emigrating there and the discrimination which many persons with disabilities face globally. I spoke of the fact that many ex servicemen who survived wars which they engaged in on behalf of Britain in fact sustained physical disabilities and mental trauma and I therefore urged the Association to be part of the very noble cause to improve the lives of persons living with disabilities.

I informed the guest of the tremendous positive strides which Barbados has made over the last four years in addressing discriminatory and exclusionary practices which were institutionalised against persons with disabilities, culminating with the adoption by Parliament in October, 2024 of our National Policy on Disabilities and with the proclamation in January this year of our Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
— HE Edmund G Hinkson, SC

It was a pleasure to be one of the six Heads of Missions to have the opportunity to address the "Bandhavya-Connecting Cultures & Celebrating People-to-People Ties" event hosted by Baroness Verma of Leicester at the House of Lords on 11th June, 2026 to mark United Nations World Day for Cultural Diversity.

I spoke of the freedom of cultural expression through the art form, dance, drama, food, writings and religion enshrined in the Barbados Constitution, after centuries of suppression of the African cultural traditions by the vast majority of our population during slavery. I promoted tolerance and respect for diverse cultural expressions, as exists in Barbados, as a pathway to world peace and positive global advancement.

I informed those present of our Caribbean festivals such as Carifesta and our local festivals such as Cropover, whilst minority groups freely celebrate their cultural traditions such as Diwali and Ede. I also invited everyone to visit Barbados and enjoy the culture of our nation.

Kudos to the colourfully dressed performers, especially the young persons, of the various Indian art forms who entertained us
— HE Edmund G Hinkson, SC

Please see link below for your information
https://bit.ly/ca2026-awardnominations .

CARICOM Diplomatic Missions Award The CARICOM Diplomatic Missions in London are proud to announce the opening of nominations for the following three awards:Advocacy in Small States AwardCulture and Education AwardCommunity Development AwardThese awards honour individuals, organizations, or groups within the diaspora who have made an...

It was a pleasure to have been a part of the social gathering of the "Windrush Teenagers" on 6th June, 2026 at Redbridge Townhall, Ilford. It provided an opportunity to intermingle with numerous persons who have been residing in the United Kingdom for decades since the late 1950s and 1960s but who were either born in CARICOM islands or whose parents were born there.

I paid respect to their diligence in contributing to Britain's socio-economic development, as they years ago sought a better life for themselves and their families, but reminded them that they all have historical and familial connections to the Caribbean region which we recognise and which we hope will always be continued and strengthened through their descendants.
-HE Edmund G Hinkson, SC