The 120th Session of the Council of Ministers of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) has recently concluded in Brussels, characterized by three days of active discussions marked by a spirit of engagement, responsibility, and solidarity among its Member States.
The session was led by Peter Shanel Agovaka, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of the Solomon Islands, serving as the President-in-Office of the OACPS Council of Ministers. Traditionally, the December Council focuses on administrative and financial matters; however, this session also tackled critical strategic topics central to the Organisation’s future, including institutional reform, financial sustainability, the implementation of the Samoa Agreement, resource mobilisation, and preparations for the upcoming 11th OACPS Summit of Heads of State and Government in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
In his opening address, Secretary-General of the OACPS, Moussa Saleh Batraki, emphasized that the Organization stands at a crucial crossroads affected by ongoing reforms, growing global uncertainties, and rising expectations from Member States and their partners. He highlighted the importance of implementing the reform agenda, operationalising the Samoa Agreement, and bolstering the Organisation’s financial and administrative frameworks as vital to maintaining the OACPS’ credibility and ensuring its long-term viability.
President Agovaka designated the forthcoming 11th OACPS Summit in Malabo as a crucial event for the Organisation, marking its 50th anniversary, and called for it to be a summit of decisions that deliver real solutions, achievable commitments, and clear timelines for the renewed OACPS.
Key topics discussed included:
– **Implementation of the Samoa Agreement**: The Council reiterated the urgency of fully operationalizing the Samoa Agreement, which acts as the new legal and political foundation for the OACPS-European Union partnership. They noted progress on the EU side and advocated for the early convening of the OACPS-EU Joint Council to push forward implementation.
– **Administrative and Financial Sustainability**: The Council adopted the OACPS Secretariat’s Budget for the Financial Year 2026, signaling Member States’ clear commitment to the Organisation.
– **Resource Mobilisation and Strategic Alliances**: The Council acknowledged progress made by His Majesty King Mswati III, the OACPS Champion of Resource Mobilisation, and emphasized the necessity of diversifying partnerships beyond traditional avenues of support.
– **Preparation for the 11th OACPS Summit in Malabo**: Ministers noted that this summit is a critical juncture for the Organisation and an opportunity for leaders to endorse practical solutions, realistic commitments, and clear timelines to reinforce the OACPS.
Furthermore, ministers engaged with significant partners, including representatives from the United Nations and the Government of Indonesia, and discussed the new OACPS Headquarters, which was commended for its swift acquisition and potential to serve as a hub for the interests of Member States.
Closing the session, the Council asserted that the renewal of the OACPS has transformed from a mere aspiration into a pressing obligation. Member States were urged to uphold their commitments, particularly regarding the ratification and implementation of the Samoa Agreement, financial sustainability, and providing full political support for the reform agenda charted by the Secretary-General.
The following decisions were adopted at the conclusion of the session:
– OACPS Secretariat’s Budget for Financial Year 2026
– Preparations for the 11th OACPS Heads of State and Government Summit
– Recruitment of the Internal Auditor
– Sale of the Former ACP House and acquisition of the new OACPS Headquarters
– Implementation of the Samoa Agreement
– Resource Mobilisation for the OACPS
– Review of the OACPS Contribution Formula
– Establishment of a Dedicated Account to support the liquidation of social obligations
– Lifting of sanctions for states in special circumstances
Additionally, a resolution on engagement with strategic partners for development was passed, showcasing the OACPS’s commitment to enhancing its collaborative efforts for sustainable development. The outcomes of this session signal a hopeful and augmented commitment from the OACPS to address the challenges ahead and reinforce its mission for the benefit of its Member States and their populations.
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