Luanda - The challenges linked to climate change, economic diversification as well as peace and security will dominate debates of the 10th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), to be held Friday and Saturday in Luanda.
According to the Angolan minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António, while speaking at a press conference Tuesday in Luanda, the summit has as its theme "3 continents, 3 oceans, 1 common destiny: Building a Resilient and Sustainable OACPS".
The official said that the event is to confirm the Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço, as the chairman of the OACPS for the next three years.
The Angolan Foreign minister stressed that during the mandate, in addition to providing greater disclosure of the countries potentialities, Angola will focus on the promotion of peace, security, economic development and human rights issues and good governance within member states.
He added that the summit will also be attended by representatives of institutions such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), United Nations (UN), among other international organisations.
The minister said that before the holding of the summit, a meeting of the council of ministers of the organisation will be held in order to prepare the meeting of Heads of State and Government of the OACPS, the women and youth business forum, as well as the discussion on the role of the diaspora.
Téte António explained that that the business forum, which was financed by the World Bank, will have the participation of at least one hundred businesspeople from the member states, to whom the Angolan potential will be presented through visits to the "made in Angola" exhibitions and the Luanda-Bengo special economic zone.
According to the official, the business forum will also serve for talking on building an economy based on science, technology, research, innovation, leadership optimisation to face world challenges and the promotion of promoting investment, competitiveness and trade by micro, small and medium sized enterprises in the OACPS countries.
He added that the women and youth forum will take into account the weight of these sections of the population towards the development of the member states, while that of the diaspora should value the contribution, including the finance transfer for economic growth of their countries of origin.
Téte António said that it is not yet possible to determine the
level of the country’s expenses with the holding of the summit taking into account international agreements, but the trade-offs, he guaranteed, are great given the possibilities of publicising the national potential and attracting necessary investment for the country's development.
He said that the coming of foreign delegates has also impact on the offer of services, mainly with the benefits for the private sector.
At the time, the secretary of State for Cooperation and Communities, Domingos Vieira Lopes, said that all the 79 member countries of the organisation have confirmed their presence.
He stated that the economic forum will be attended by businesspeople from all the OACPS states invited by the World Bank, including Angolans, who are discuss strategies, with hopes that the private sector can make the most of it.
The 10th summit is scheduled to end Saturday with the adoption of the Luanda Declaration.
The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), previously known as African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), was created under the Georgetown Agreement in 1975.
It is made up of 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific States, with the exception of Cuba, which are signatories of the Cotonou Agreement that is also known as "Partnership Agreement ACP-EC", binding them to the European Union.
There are 49 Sub-Saharan Africa, 19 Caribbean countries and 11 Pacific countries.
The main objectives of the OACPS are the promotion of the sustainable development of its Member States and their gradual integration in the world economy which implies making poverty reduction a priority matter and establishing a new world order that is fairer and more equitable.
It also seeks to coordinate activities in the framework of the implementation of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreements, to consolidate unity and solidarity among the Members and understanding among their peoples.
The OACPS also operates in the establishment and consolidation of peace and stability in a free and democratic society.
The executive secretary of the organisation is the Angolan Georges Rebelo Chikoti.
