The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) held a virtual Handover Ceremony on Tuesday, transitioning the presidency from the Solomon Islands to the Republic of The Gambia. This event aligns with Article 20 of the Revised Georgetown Agreement, which mandates an equitable rotation of leadership among the six regions.
During the ceremony, Secretary-General Moussa Batraki acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing President of the Council of Ministers, Peter Shanel Agovaka from the Solomon Islands. He praised Agovaka’s leadership throughout a challenging period and welcomed the incoming President, Seedy K. M. Keita of The Gambia, offering the Secretariat’s full support as Keita prepares for the upcoming OACPS Summit.
Agovaka reflected on his accomplishments, including the preparation and adoption of the 2026 OACPS Secretariat’s Budget, efforts to encourage timely contributions from Member States, support for institutional reforms, and successful preparations for the 11th OACPS Summit of Heads of State and Government.
Seedy Keita, who serves as The Gambia’s Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, shared the priorities of his new presidency. He emphasized enhancing the financial stability and long-term sustainability of the organization, aiming to make it more responsive and effective. His administration will focus on monitoring the implementation of the 2026 Secretariat Budget, fostering membership stability, engaging member states to address contribution challenges, and ensuring high-level participation at the upcoming summit.
The Secretary-General expressed optimism regarding the Gambian Presidency’s ability to uphold the progress made by the previous administration while continuing to enhance the unity and robustness of the OACPS in a shifting global landscape. As the organization prepares for the 11th OACPS Summit, there is a strong emphasis on fostering deeper connections with both traditional and emerging partners, updating the Secretariat’s operations, and strengthening collaboration among Member States.
This transition marks not just a change in leadership but also a reaffirmation of the OACPS’s commitment to resilience and renewed focus on cooperative engagement in the face of global challenges.