Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka, on 12 December, officially opened the 120th Session of the OACPS Council of Ministers in Brussels, in his capacity as President-in-Office of the OACPS Council.
Addressing Ministers and delegates from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, Minister Agovaka expressed appreciation to OACPS Secretary-General H.E. Mr Moussa S. Batraki and the Secretariat for advancing institutional reforms during a period of transition.
He also acknowledged the Kingdom of Eswatini for its leadership during the 119th Session, including the reform roadmap handed over to the current Presidency.
“The OACPS stands at a critical crossroads. This is not business as usual,” Minister Agovaka said.
“The choices we make at this Session will shape the Organization we present to our Leaders at the 11th OACPS Summit in Malabo in March 2026—and the legacy we leave to the next generation.”
He highlighted key reforms already agreed by Member States, including a leaner senior management structure, budgetary stabilization measures, and the decision to sell the old ACP House and acquire new, fit-for-purpose premises for a modern Secretariat in Brussels.
Minister Agovaka welcomed the Republic of Equatorial Guinea’s offer to host the 11th OACPS Summit in Malabo from 27–29 March 2026, and urged Member States to accelerate ratification of the Samoa Agreement and conclude the Rules of Procedure for OACPS–EU joint institutions.
Issuing a clear call for unity, solidarity, and shared responsibility, he emphasized the importance of timely payment of assessed contributions, strong political backing for reforms, and fair and transparent decisions on leadership positions.
“We will either reform together, or we will decline separately,” he stated.
Underscoring Solomon Islands’ own commitments, Minister Agovaka confirmed that the country has ratified the Samoa Agreement and has made contributions towards the 2026 and 2027 budgets, while encouraging all Member States to act according to their capacities but with a shared sense of responsibility.
Looking ahead, he outlined key priorities for the three-day Session, including:
Operationalizing the Samoa Agreement and the OACPS–EU partnership architecture;
Adopting the 2026 Secretariat Budget;
Strengthening resource mobilization and strategic alliances; and
Providing practical guidance to ensure the Malabo Summit delivers concrete decisions.
He concluded by reaffirming a renewed vision for the OACPS, unity over division, reform over inertia, and action over rhetoric and formally declared the 120th Session of the OACPS Council of Ministers open.
—MFAET PRESS
