Secretariat of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS)

OACPS Secretary-General Urges Pacific Region to Support New Agreement on Climate Change and SDGs HONIARA, Solomon Islands, 28 October 2023 — HE. Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), addressed a preparatory meeting in Honiara today, urging the Pacific region to support a new agreement aimed at addressing climate change and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During his speech, Sectetary General Chikoti highlighted several significant projects undertaken by the OACPS and the European Union in the Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific region. These projects, including the Pacific Waste-to-Energy Solutions (PAWES) initiative and the program to strengthen Research and Innovation Ecosystems to Address Climate Change in the Pacific (RERIPA), have been instrumental in addressing climate change challenges and promoting sustainable development. H.E Chikoti stressed the importance of inclusive economic growth, private investment, cultural promotion, and value addition initiatives in achieving the SDGs. He noted that, although progress has been made with only 15% of the SDGs accomplished at the halfway point, intensified efforts are needed. The Secretary-General also called for global financial reform and support for the Bridgetown initiative, which aims to help Southern countries tackle climate change and future crises. Recognizing the crucial role of Parliament in reinforcing the work of the OACPS, Secretary-Gwneral Chikoti emphasized the need for enhanced dialogue and intra-OACPS cooperation to protect common interests on a global scale. He commended OACPS members for their contributions to the negotiations of the new agreement, which were carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Secretary-General Chikoti also lauded the Pacific region for its leadership in drafting the rules of procedure for the Joint Parliamentary Assembly under the new agreement and called on them to champion and advance the work of the OACPS during the ratification process to ensure timely implementation. The Secretary-General informed the meeting that the agreement will be signed in Samoa and provisionally applied on the 1st day of the second month following the signing. He expressed confidence that, by February 2025 when the Joint Parliamentary Assembly convenes, the rules of procedure will have been fully adopted, paving the way for the successful implementation of the agreement. The meeting, which is happening at the end of the Cotonou Agreement and the beginning of the Samoa Agreement era, is a crucial step in advancing the work of the OACPS in the region.