Africa-Press – Eswatini. In the heart of Europe, at a time when the world grapples with mounting geopolitical tensions, economic inequality, and climate volatility, ministers from 79 nations have gathered in Brussels for a landmark meeting of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
The ministers met to mark 50 years of the organisation.
The meeting was officially opened by H.E. Pholile Shakantu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Eswatini, who currently serves as President of the OACPS Council of Ministers.
His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and President of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the ACP said it was with deep pride and great honour that he address the Member States of the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States to commemorate its 50th anniversary, under the theme “A Transformed and Renewed OACPS in a Changing World.”
He said fifty years ago, our countries united around a common dream, which consisted of strengthening solidarity among developing states, speaking with one voice on the international stage, and promoting the sustainable and inclusive development of our people.
He said the vision, bold at the time, which remains relevant and necessary, continues to guide their collective action.
“The OACPS is an example of unity in diversity, evidenced by the fact that we have built, over decades, bridges between continents, strategic partnerships, and have made the voices of over 1.5 billion citizens heard, in a context where we work together to defend the interests of the Global South in areas such as trade, climate change, peace, and education,” he said.
“This golden jubilee is undoubtedly a moment of celebration, but it is also, and above all, an invitation to reflection, to be made with clarity and ambition, about the paths we still have to tread.
We live in times of uncertainty in which we face interconnected global challenges, where we must confront climate shocks, debt crises, reduced flows of development financing, and increasing geopolitical tensions— a scenario that gives our organization ever greater relevance.”
He added that as President of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the OACPS, he firmly believes that the time has come to renew their commitment to drive a new dynamic, to revitalize their structures, ensure greater financial sustainability, and strengthen the political weight of our decisions.
“The Samoa Agreement, recently adopted, represents a firm step in this direction as it charts a new course in our partnership with the European Union and provides us with a strategic platform to deepen cooperation among us, as regions, as a community, and as a global family.”
ACPS Ministers Meet in Brussels with Renewed Purpose as Samoa Agreement Era Begins
“I hope that this anniversary inspires us to act with greater cohesion and determination, reaffirming our foundational values of solidarity, justice, and mutual respect, always with the aim of guiding ourselves on this basis toward the future. I congratulate all the Member States, our partners, and the OACPS Secretariat for their commitment and vision that have brought us here,” he said.
With a firm yet hopeful tone, Shakantu called on her fellow ministers to take bold and coordinated action to secure the future of the organisation and its people.
Honourable Senator Pholile Dlamini Shakantu, Eswatini Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and OACPS Council of Minister President in her speech said it was with great honour and a deep sense of history that she addressed the occasion.
She said half a century ago, our forebears envisioned a bold and unifying framework that would allow our countries—diverse in geography, culture, and experience—to come together in common purpose.
“That vision gave birth to a family of nations, standing in solidarity to advance peace, development, equity, and global cooperation.
From the Georgetown Agreement of 1975 to the signing of the Samoa Agreement in 2023, we have journeyed together through changing global dynamics, adapting and reaffirming our commitment to multilateralism, partnership, and mutual progress,” she said.
Minister Shakantu added that the golden jubilee is indeed a moment to celebrate their shared achievements—but it is equally a time to envision and craft a bold new path for the OACPS, one that is responsive to today’s challenges and anchored in the hopes of our peoples for a more just, resilient, and inclusive future.
“We meet today amid a time of profound global crisis.
Our Member States are facing an array of challenges: climate change, conflict and fragility, constrained fiscal space, inflationary pressures, and rising inequalities.
These challenges test not only the resilience of our economies but the unity of our collective voice on the global stage. Yet, within every crisis lies the seed of transformation,” she said.
“As we look to the future, we must summon the courage and vision to rise to the occasion. This moment calls for a renewed, reimagined OACPS—one that is vibrant, bold, and financially sustainable.
An institution not only defending the interests of its Member States but driving innovation, investment, regional integration, and inclusive development across our continents and oceans,” she added.
Shakantu told the gathering that to do so, they must:
• Deepen our partnerships beyond aid, into trade, science, digital innovation, climate action, and private sector development;
• Empower our youth, women, and entrepreneurs as agents of sustainable change;
• Reform and strengthen our institutional architecture to deliver real impact for our people;
• And, importantly, mobilize the political will and financial resources to ensure the OACPS remains a powerful force for global equity and justice.
“Let this 50th anniversary be more than a commemoration. Let it be a clarion call—a call to reclaim our purpose, to assert our relevance, and to lead with the confidence that unity, solidarity, and shared ambition remain our greatest strengths.
As President of the Council of Ministers, I pledge my commitment to working with all Member States and our partners to set the OACPS on a new path of dynamism, sustainability, and transformative action.
Together, let us write the next chapter of the OACPS story—one of renewal, resilience, and relevance,” she said.
OACPS Secretary-General H.E. Mr Moussa Saleh Batriaki, delivering the opening keynote, struck a candid tone about the state of the world.
“From environmental collapse to inflation shocks, we are living through a time of profound upheaval,” Chikoti said. “But within this crisis lies our greatest opportunity—to speak with one voice, to act in concert, and to claim our rightful space on the global stage.”
Batriaki urged member states to align national strategies with the OACPS Strategic Plan 2022–2025, which focuses on trade, economic resilience, and climate adaptation.
Among the top agenda items is the operationalisation of the Samoa Agreement, signed in 2023 as the successor to the Cotonou Partnership Agreement.
The agreement lays the groundwork for political cooperation, economic development, and human rights engagement between the OACPS and the EU.
Ministers are also zeroing in on:
Trade and investment facilitation, including efforts to enhance value chains and improve market access for developing economies.
Climate resilience, especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and low-lying coastal nations most vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather.
Peace and security, with a focus on tackling terrorism, cyber threats, and organised crime through joint initiatives.
ACPS Ministers Meet in Brussels with Renewed Purpose as Samoa Agreement Era Begins
These challenges are interlinked, ministers noted, and demand a coordinated response that blends regional expertise with international cooperation.
A central part of the discussions has involved the organisation’s relationship with the European Union. While the EU remains a critical development and trade partner, OACPS leaders are calling for a more equitable and responsive engagement model.
During a session with EU officials, ministers pushed for increased flexibility in funding mechanisms under the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021–2027, alongside expedited disbursements for climate and infrastructure projects.
While external partnerships matter, internal solidarity is emerging as the session’s unifying theme. From the African continent to the Caribbean archipelago and the Pacific islands, ministers are pushing to deepen South-South cooperation across sectors.
Proposals on the table include:
Student and professional exchange programmes to build cross-regional human capital;
Joint infrastructure investments, particularly in energy, digital connectivity, and transport;
Cultural and creative industry platforms to boost inter-regional trade and storytelling;
Innovation and digital economy hubs to position OACPS nations in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The mood in Brussels is one of both ambition and introspection.
As the OACPS celebrates 50 years of existence, several delegates have raised concerns about the institutional capacity of the Secretariat and the need for modern governance systems.
Proposals for reform include:
A performance-based budgeting system;
Enhanced monitoring and evaluation frameworks;
Digital transformation of Secretariat operations;
Increased transparency in decision-making.
Minister Shakantu’s presidency is expected to play a key role in pushing forward these reforms, especially with the support of member states from all three regions.
The session is expected to conclude on Saturday, May 25, with the adoption of a Ministerial Declaration, outlining shared commitments for the year ahead.
The declaration will highlight priorities such as advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), deepening regional integration, and ensuring the Samoa Agreement delivers for all OACPS citizens.
As ministers continue their deliberations behind closed doors, one message is already clear: The OACPS is not content to be a passive actor in world affairs.
With over 1.5 billion citizens and a growing voice in global negotiations, it is determined to chart a future defined by resilience, dignity, and shared progress.
“This is not just a meeting. It is a renewal of purpose, a recalibration of our vision, and a recommitment to our people,” H.E. Pholile Shakantu, President of the OACPS Council of Ministers said.
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