30 May 2016

Trade and Industry Minister Mr Vincent Seretse will join other leaders from the 79 countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea for the 8^th ACP Summit of Heads of State and Government.

A press release from the ACP secretariat says a plenary session will be held on May 31 and June 1, preceded by a meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs on May 30.

It states that the summit will discuss the future of the ACP Group as a revitalised cohesive force advocating the interests of its member states in the international arena.

Of particular interest, the summit will discuss the recent key international developments, including Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, issues of migration, climate change and the fight against terrorism.

“This is a very important event, taking place at an important time in the history of the ACP Group. The future of the organisation, in terms of where it goes after the expiration of the Cotonou Agreement [the comprehensive agreement between the ACP Group and its main development partner, the European Union] in 2020 is a fundamental issue with flow-on consequences,” says the statement.

Guided by the theme: Repositioning the ACP Group to address the challenges of Sustainable Development, leaders will focus on three main areas, including: Equitable and sustainable development for ACP peoples; Enhancing the role of the ACP Group in global governance for development; and Peace, security and political stability as a prerequisite for development.

The summit coincides with the ongoing discussions on the future relationship between the ACP Group of States and the European Union. The decades-long partnership is currently outlined in the ACP-EU Cotonou Partnership Agreement, which is due to end in 2020. Ends