The 120th Session of the Council of Ministers of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) concluded in Brussels, following three days of deliberations marked by a strong spirit of engagement, responsibility, and solidarity among Member States.
The Session was presided over by the Peter Shanel Agovaka, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands, in his capacity as President-in-Office of the OACPS Council of Ministers.
While the December Council traditionally focuses on administrative and budgetary matters, the 120th Session also addressed key strategic issues central to the renewal, relevance, and effectiveness of the Organisation- Particularly institutional reform, financial sustainability, implementation of the Samoa Agreement, resource mobilisation, and preparations for the 11th OACPS Summit of Heads of State and Government in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
Opening the Ministerial Session, the Secretary-General of the OACPS, Moussa Saleh Batraki, underscored that the Organisation is at critical juncture shaped by ongoing reforms, increasing global uncertainty, and heightened expectations from Member States and partners.He stressed that implementing the reform agenda, operationalising the Samoa Agreement, and strengthening the Organisation’s financial and administrative foundations are essential to safeguarding the OACPS’ credibility and long-term sustainability.
The President in office, Agovaka addressing ministers, identified the 11th OACPS Summit in Malabo as a defining moment for the Organisation, and a jubilee celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the OACPS, and pronounced that this must be a summit of decisions, delivering concrete solutions, realistic commitments and clear timelines for a renewed OACPS.
Key Issues and Outcomes
Implementation of the Samoa Agreement: The Council reaffirmed the urgency of fully operationalising the Samoa Agreement as the new legal and political foundation of the OACPS–EU partnership including finalising and adopting the Rules of Procedure for the OACPS–EU Joint Council as well as the Guidelines governing the Partnership Dialogue. Ministers welcomed progress made by the European Union side and the same and called for the early convening of the OACPS–EU Joint Council to advance implementation.
Administrative and Financial Sustainability: Council adopted the OACPS Secretariat’s Budget for the Financial Year 2026, underscoring it as a clear political statement of Member States’ commitment to the Organisation.
Resource Mobilisation and Strategic Alliances: The Council welcomed the report on the work of His Majesty King Mswati III, OACPS Champion of Resource Mobilisation, reiterated noting the progress achieved and the importance of diversifying partnerships beyond traditional support.
Preparation for the 11th OACPS Summit in Malabo – Ministers underscored the importance of the 11th OACPS Summit in Malabo as a pivotal moment for the Organisation. They emphasised that the Summit should be outcome-oriented, providing an opportunity for Leaders to endorse practical solutions, realistic commitments, and clear timelines in support of a renewed and strengthened OACPS.
Strategic Partnerships and Institutional Development – Ministers engaged with key partners, including the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNFPA, Diena Kieta, Senior Official from the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, and a Representative from the Belgian Government.
Ministers also visited the new OACPS Headquarters, where the President-in-Office commended the Secretary-General and the Committee of Ambassadors for the swift acquisition of the premises and encouraged Member States to support its further development as a centre of excellence serving the interests of Member States and their peoples.
At the close of the Session, the council stressed that the renewal of the OACPS is no longer an aspiration but an obligation and called on Member States to honour their commitments, particularly regarding ratifications and implementation of the Samoa Agreement, financial sustainability, and full political support for the reform agenda led by the Secretary-General.
Council adopted the following decisions:
Decision on the OACPS Secretariats Budget for the Financial Year 2026.
Decision on the Preparations of the 11th Summit of the OACPS Heads of State and Government.
Decision on the Recruitment of the Internal Auditor.
Decision on the Sale of the Former ACP House and Acquisition of the New OACPS Headquarters.
Decision on the Implementation of the Samoa Agreement.
Decision on Resource Mobilisation for the OACPS.
Decision on the Review of the OACPS Contribution Formula.
Decision on a Dedicated Account to Support Liquidation of Social
Decision on Lifting of Sanctions for States in Special Circumstances.
Resolution
Resolution on Engagement with Strategic Partners for Development.
