Brussels; 02/03/20 - The Pacific has reaffirmed its commitment to the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and rallied its support to the newly appointed Secretary General of the Group at a special ceremony held this week in Brussels.
This commitment was relayed by Fiji’s Ambassador in Belgium and representative to the ACP at the special ceremony held this week at the ACP Secretariat to mark the welcome of the new Secretary General, Ambassador Georges Rebelo of Angola.
Speaking on behalf of the Pacific States to the ACP as their Regional Coordinator in Belgium, Ambassador Deo Saran committed the Pacific’s support to the new Secretary General in this role which looks after 79 countries from the ACP region. In welcoming Ambassador Rebelo, the Fijian envoy highlighted the importance of the ACP’s solidarity especially as it nears completing a partnership agreement with the European Union. The new partnership agreement sets out a comprehensive cooperation agreement between the ACP States and the European Union in the areas of trade, socio economic development.
“In the next few weeks, you will oversee the conclusion of what we in the Pacific consider to be the largest negotiations between states, partners and actors. The ACP and our partnership with the EU in the past has been pivotal in the development of our member states and improving the wellbeing of our people in the Pacific.
“The new partnership agreement is an opportunity to strengthen our development cooperation and help address global challenges. The new agreement will demonstrate that multilateralism is here to stay as global challenges will require global solutions.
“Excellency, we must recognise that the global order has shifted and the priorities amongst states has been greater than ever. We must therefore ensure that our negotiations with the EU focuses on present and emerging challenges. Specifically, that means an even greater focus on sustainable development, building resilient economies, increasing regional trade and integration, and making development financing more accessible.”
As negotiations to this partnership agreement draws to a close, Ambassador Saran reminded the ACP States on the importance of solidarity amongst member States in finalising this agreement which will be signed later this year in Samoa. Once the 20-year agreement comes into effect, it will cover develop cooperation, political dialogue and trade between more than 100 countries representing both the ACP and the EU.
“We’ve made great progress, because we’ve remained true to our principles of unity and solidarity. Those principles are this group’s very foundation, a foundation to which we must hold fast if we are to secure our best possible future in a changing world. And in the same vein, we give you our assurance today, that the Pacific region will stand by you and your incoming team during this process.”
Ambassador Saran used the opportunity to call on member States to review the structure, operations and outlook of the ACP Group following the approval by member States to review its founding agreement, the Georgetown Agreement. Agreed for a review by ACP Heads of Governments and States in 2019, the Georgetown Agreement is the founding document that sets out the operational structure of the ACP Group. In his remarks, Ambassador Saran called on the Group to use this opportunity “to reposition the ACP to make it more relevant to the development needs of its member states and a forward looking, well-functioning lean and mean organisation.”
“Excellency, another major challenge ACP has faced over the years is its visibility, not only in the international fora but also among its members. To address this and its financial challenges, the Pacific region proposes that ACP pursue to become a Pillar Assessed Organisation. This will enable ACP to apply funds received from our development partners to projects in member countries and access funds from Green Climate Fund and other international funding agencies for Climate Action projects.”
The new ACP SG was appointed in December 2019 at the 110th Session of the ACP Council of Ministers. As the appointment of the SG is on a rotational basis according to ACP region, candidates for the post were from the Africa region. As he assumes his new role, Ambassador Saran reiterated the Pacific’s support to him and his incoming team.
“Secretary General, most of the countries in our region were present at the creation of ACP and we have been a committed partner in the ACP’s growth into a living, breathing manifestation of the hopes and ambitions of our very deserving peoples. We also believe that the greatest chapters of the ACP Story lies ahead.
“The ACP will always help chart our collective future, and I pledge, once again on behalf of the region, the Pacific’s full support to you and your new team on the ACP’s vision, objectives and activities at all levels”, Ambassador Saran said.