BRUSSELS – Sir John Kaputin, the outgoing Secretary-General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group and his management signed off from Brussels, Belgium last week after a successful five-year spell at the pinnacle of the organisation.
The Papua New Guinean, Sir John, and his team departed with countless reminiscences and closed a challenging but eventful chapter in the life of the 34 year-old organiaation.
Their efforts were acknowledged by the ACP Committee of Ambassadors during a ceremony to farewell the outgoing management in Brussels last week.
Representatives from the six regions of the ACP Group have spoken highly of the outgoing management for their efforts to administer the organization regardless of the many challenges it faced in the past five years.
Chairman of the Committee of Ambassadors Rene Makongo commended Sir John and his team for their outstanding contributions to the organization.
He acknowledged the many achievements accomplished by the outgoing management, one of which was to increase the retirement age of the staff at the Secretariat from 60 to 65 years.
In addition, Mr Manknogo, who is also the Ambassador of Gabon, noted the important role played by the Secretariat in the many important meetings organized during their time at the top.
Similarly, he congratulated Sir John and his management for taking the lead role in the current revision of the Cotonou Agreement, which is projected for signing in June this year in Burkina Faso, West Africa.
Speaking on-behalf of the Pacific Group, the Ambassador of Vanuatu, H.E. Roy-Micky Joy, said that Sir John’s presence at the ACP has given visibility to the organization in the Pacific.
“For the first time that we feel that we’re part of the ACP Group since its formation in 1975,” he said.
Mr Joy stressed that the Pacific is very proud of Sir John’s contributions to the ACP Group, especially for bringing visibility to the organization to the region.
He also commended the outgoing chef-de-cabinet and Papua New Guinean Dr Henry Okole and head of Press and Communication, Solomon Islands’ Robert Iroga, whom he described as outstanding Pacific ambassadors at the ACP.
It is understood that Dr Okole and Iroga have been given extended contracts by the new Secretary-General, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Cambas, to assist him in the transitional period.
Ambassador Roy said that the two (Dr. Okole and Iroga) have brought a true Pacific zest of workmanship to the ACP Secretariat during their tenure in Brussels having held influential positions in the management.
When taking up the job, Sir John anticipated lifting the profile of the Pacific in the ACP Group, one of which was to engage qualified Pacific islanders to take-up senior positions in his Cabinet.
His engagement of Dr. Okole and Iroga was the manifestation of his desire – a choice that he did not regret.
“I’m absolutely satisfied with the two of them who executed their duties with high distinction and excellence.
They also brought a Pacific way of doing things in the ACP Secretariat which was highly appreciated by their colleagues,” he said in thanking the two.
Sir John believed that their countries and the Pacific will benefit enormously from the two especially on matters relating to the ACP and EU and international relations in general.
He also praised his four Assistant Secretaries-General from South Africa, Congo, Burundi and Jamaica for their support during his tenure.
Sir John was succeeded by Ghanaian Dr Chambas, who was the former President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
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