The Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), Moussa Batraki, has delivered a comprehensive report during the 120th Session of the OACPS Council of Ministers, highlighting significant activities, initiatives, and reforms since the last session. His report details the Organisation’s strategic priorities, emphasizing the importance of reform, modernization, financial viability, improved governance, and the strengthening of both intra-OACPS and external partnerships.
Batraki’s report comes at a time of global instability, stressing the necessity for OACPS to demonstrate its value through clear, efficient, and decisive actions to assist its Member States. Opening the Council session, the President of the OACPS Council of Ministers, Peter Shanel Agovaka, who is also the Foreign Minister of the Solomon Islands, urged members to envision a future for the Organisation grounded in political resolve and strategic clarity. He highlighted that unity and solidarity are the fundamental strengths of the OACPS, particularly in navigating uncertain global circumstances.
During the session, attendees observed a moment of silence in honor of victims of recent natural disasters, paying particular tribute to those affected by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and the devastating Cyclone Senyar in Indonesia. The OACPS expressed its solidarity with communities affected by these tragedies and reaffirmed its support for the respective Member States.
On the sidelines of the Council, Batraki engaged in discussions with Diene Keita, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNFPA, who attended the session as a special guest. Their conversation focused on the mutual commitment to a people-centered development approach, particularly focusing on women and youth empowerment. Both Batraki and Keita acknowledged that fostering structured partnerships in alignment with the Samoa Agreement and the 2030 Agenda is paramount to advancing vital development priorities across OACPS nations.
Batraki commended Keita on her recent appointment and underscored the need for strengthened multilateral cooperation to support the shared objectives of the OACPS renewal agenda. This commitment signifies a hopeful outlook for the collaboration between regional and international organizations, promoting a future marked by resilience and growth in the face of challenges.