By Pita Ligaiula in Luanda, Angola
The Secretary General of the 79 member states of the Organisations of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (OACPS), Georges Rebelo Chikoti is hopeful for a successful summit as leaders gathered Friday for their two- days meeting.
Secretary General Chikoti told PACNEWS the 10th summit is taking place at a critical time for the bloc as they map out the future of the organisation.
“I also wish that our Heads of State adopt the declaration that has been proposed for Luanda. I also wish that all member states that are participating in this 10th conference take the best out of it and then wish that the decisions contained in the declaration bring another important time of implementation in the upcoming three years.
“I do hope that we come out stronger from this summit, despite all the challenges that the world is facing,” said Chikoti.
He said the Summit is held at a time when the world is facing turmoil due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine that severely impacted on the economies, health and livelihood of the people.
“The decisions being taken by our leaders help to bring new stapes, new visions to everyone in all regions particularly maybe in the Caribbean, in the Pacific and globally on the African continent,” said Chikoti.
PACNEWS understands during the Summit the leaders will be invited to take note of South Africa’s withdrawal from OACPS and endorse the Council of Ministers decision to admit the Maldives as a member of the bloc.
Meanwhile, the challenges linked to climate change, economic diversification and peace and security will dominate the debates at the Summit.
The summit’s theme is “Three Continents, Three Oceans, one Common Destiny: Building a Resilient and Sustainable OACP.
SOURCE: PACNEWS