Cook Islands foreign secretary, Tepaeru Herrmann and Chair of the 2024 Pacific ACP (PACP) Officials Meeting Monday highlighted the urgent issues facing the region, from climate change and natural disasters to a growing debt crisis and intensifying geopolitical competition.
“As we meet today, our region continues to struggle with the impact of climate change, frequency of natural disasters, and a growing debt crisis amidst intensifying geopolitical competition in our region,” she said.
Central to the meeting’s agenda was the Samoa Agreement, the legally binding document guiding EU and OACPS cooperation.
“Within this setting is the Samoa Agreement. I understand that all Pacific ACP members have now signed the Samoa Agreement by the 31 July 2024, with the ratification and resourcing requirements now being the priority,” Herrmann noted.
She also stressed the ongoing review of regional architecture, which includes new institutional arrangements under the Samoa Agreement and the role of the Pacific ACP as a political grouping.
“Our discussion today is therefore critical in shaping the future of our grouping.
“I encourage you all to share your insights, perspectives, and recommendations in open dialogue. Our collective efforts are crucial in ensuring that we not only meet the challenges before us, but that we also seize the opportunities to advance the well-being and prosperity of our people,” Herrmann said.
Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa called for unity and proactive engagement at the PACP official meeting.
“As the Pacific ACP States, you all share mutual interests and opportunities in your engagement with the European Union, and with your fellow African and Caribbean States,” he said.
Waqa commended the group for their commitment to the Samoa Agreement.
“I congratulate you all for signing the Samoa Agreement by the 31st July deadline. It demonstrates your unwavering commitment to this partnership,” he said.
He emphasised the next steps of ratification and implementation, highlighting the importance of timely access to EU funds.
“We can now focus on ratification, implementation, and ensuring timely access to funds from the EU to operationalise the Samoa Agreement,” SG Waqa said
Waqa urged the officials to use this platform to collaborate on solutions to common development challenges, aligning with their 2050 aspirations.
“This platform provides you all with an opportunity to work together.
“To discuss and develop solutions to overcome common development challenges as you strive towards achieving our 2050 aspirations,” SG Waqa said
He encouraged a spirit of cooperation and open-mindedness in their deliberations.
“As you deliberate today, I urge you all to engage with a spirit of cooperation and open-mindedness.
“Our region’s strength lies in our Pacific way of working together,” he said.
The meeting is expected to shape the agenda for the Pacific ACP Leaders’ meeting in Tonga, focusing on regional resilience and cooperation.
