02 Jun 2016

The African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) Group has concluded its 8th summit with renewed commitment to rally together to contribute more effectively to the global development agenda.

The leaders have made pronouncements in the Port Moresby declaration in different areas that includes inter alia, peace and stability, culture, gender equity , sustainable and economic development , trade, climate change, and also  issues of development finance and global governance.

In the declaration,  ACP leaders have deplored the illicit financial flows and the hemorrhage of financial resources from ACP member states through all forms of capital flight in particular tax evasion schemes of multinational enterprises.

At the same time ACP condemned the European Commission on its communication on a “Fair and efficient Tax System in the European Union”, unjustifiably listing 15 ACP countries as non-cooperative tax jurisdictions, causing damage to the financial sectors of the mentioned states.

The summit called for the withdrawal of the list and warned the EU to refrain from such publications in future. As a way to address preference erosion for ACP trade, the summit urged for more intra-ACP trade.

Meanwhile the summit welcomed the important contribution of the European Development Fund (EDF) towards development programmes in ACP states and regions, and encouraged further cooperation with the EU in identifying other sources for financing Sustainable Development Goals.

ACP Group also reaffirmed full commitment to conclude the DOHA Development Agenda of the World Trade Organisation(WTO).The leaders expressed concern at the negative consequences of trade pact outside the WTO system being negotiated by the EU and other partners.

According to the summit declaration, an environmental challenge to ACP member states is the adverse impacts of climate change and lack of access to energy. Leaders therefore called for the removal of barriers as well as technology transfer, developing the capacity of ACP entrepreneurs in the energy sector.

The summit further underlined the green economy and the blue economy as crucial tools for attaining sustainable development in the ACP countries including sustainable fisheries management. The establishment of the special forum for Small Islands Development States (SIDS) within the ACP was welcomed which recognizes the specific challenges faced by SIDS within the ACP Group.

Concerning women empowerment, ACP leaders highlighted women's advancement and called for a strong collaboration with all stakeholders to jointly address gender equality and empowerment as well as the need to assist women's organisations in ACP Group so as to boost organisational and operational capacities. Ends