Pictures from African Carribian, Pacific States 8th Summit

 ACP Member States pose for a group photo at the International Convention Center.

 Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama arriving for the summit opening.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe arriving at the opening day of the summit and met by National Events Minister Justin Tkatchenko.

Post-Cotonou agreement to consider a different ACP

Caption:  EU Commissioner Neven Mimica.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, June 5, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

 

THE European Union (EU) has said that it will look to improve any new agreement with the ACP states post-Cotonou when the long standing agreement both groups expires in 2020 after its 40 year lifespan.

EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica made the remarks, while hailing the summit as a key milestone also reiterated the change in the ACP from the one that signed originally for cooperation between both groups under the previous Lome Convention signed in 1975.

“This summit is a key milestone in the process to reflect on the relations of the EU and ACP at the expiration of the Cotonou agreement in 2020.”

“The European Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries are long standing partners. What links us together is unique. There is indeed no similar treaty agreement which legally binds so many countries, which encompasses so many actors, which deals with so many actors and deals with such a variety of aspects and objectives.”

“We have a true longstanding and comprehensive partnership, but true partnerships are not set in stone, they are alive and evolving,” Mimica said.

He said the quality of any partnership as being defined by its capacity to adapt to changing circumstances.

“We are gathered here just a few months after COP21 where we could together show the world that we are strong partners.”

“Paris showed that our partnership works and delivers on its objectives contributing to the reduction of poverty, increased trade, or the provision of peace and security.”

“But there is room for improvement. Our thinking of the future should take into account lessons learned from the past as well as the strengths and weaknesses of our current relationships.”

He pointed out being self-critical as being vital in looking forward at the relationship to be a true political partnership based on common interests and away from traditional donor recipient relationship.

“Our renewed partnership should range from global issues to political, peace and security, trade, investments, science, technology and economic development, climate and migration issues.”

“Furthermore, one has to take into account the evolved contest, with substantial changes having taken place within our current partnership and in the broader international environment.”

“The countries that signed the agreement 15 years ago are not the same. The membership of the European Union has almost doubled and we experienced one of the toughest economic crisis of our times.”

“On the hand ACP countries have also changed- many countries that were considered to be developing have reached middle income status, new actors have emerged and parallel partnerships have arisen.”

Equatorial Guinea passes on mantle to capable hands of PNG

Caption:  Chairman of 8th ACP Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, June 5, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THE African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States 8th Summit has seen the mantle of chairmanship passed onto to Papua New Guinea under the leadership of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

Speaking on behalf of the 7th Summit Chairman and President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Equatorial Guinea Prime Minister Vincent Ehate congratulated Papua New Guinea on taking up the Chairmanship of the global group upon becoming the 8th host.

“We would also like to congratulate our host, his excellency, the Honorable Peter O’Neill, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea on becoming the President of the 8th Summit of the ACP group.”

“Papua New Guinea is this lovely pacific and unified country with great experience in working with groups, which contributes to maintain peace, stability, and development in the group and in the world in general.”

“We trust that under his (O’Neill) wise leadership the ACP group will be able to realize with success its ongoing structural process in order to put a new dynamic stamp on the international relations of the ACP group,” Prime Minister Ehate said.

Ehate said that with the cutoff date of the Cotonou Agreement with the European Union to expire in 2020- leaders of ACP states were encouraged to take into consideration the role to sustainable development with peace and security.

“This will open the way for the leaders of ACP countries and their potential partners to focus their minds on three main issues,” he said.

“Firstly, fair and sustainable development for the benefit for our people, strengthening the role of the ACP group in terms of good global governance for the benefit of development, and peace, security, and political stability as prerequisites for development.”

“Whatever the organization or association we decide on the future-we must identify the resources and means which will ensure that our cooperation for development is and remains guided by search for maximum impart and support to development within the contents of a strategy which countries and regions must promote.”

Country’s economic progress recognized

Caption:  ACP Assistant Secretary General Leonard Ognimba. 

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, June 5, 2016 (PNG)

THE country’s economic progress over the last decade was acknowledged by the Assistant Secretary General of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group on Tuesday this week.

Leonard Ognimba, assistant for political affairs and human development, stood in for the ACP Secretary General Dr Patrick Gomes who was not present at the 8th Summit in Port Moresby.

Ognimba expressed the group’s gratitude of the country hospitality which reassured the members of the country’s commitment to the group.

“Thanks to prime minister and the people of Papua New Guinea for their warm welcome and hospitality they have shown in hosting this summit,” Ognimba said.

“The people of Papua New Guinea is showing once again its attachment to the ACP group as well as to the values of unity and solidarity on which it is founded.”

“I would also like to congratulate you Mr Prime Minister (Peter O’Neill) and people of Papua New Guinea on the celebration of the 40th Independence Anniversary of your country.”

He acknowledged the sustained economic growth experienced by the country over the last decade being in line with the aims of the ACP group.

“The economic progress which this marvelous archipelago has accomplished over the years is proof of the persistent and resolute efforts towards development, a key actor in the ACP family.”

“Papua New Guinea has also made considerable progress in the Asia-Pacific region, in 2011 being ranked 6th amongst the fastest growing economies in the world.”

“You successfully hosted the pacific games in 2015 and September of the same year the 46th forum of the leaders of the pacific. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you success of the organizing of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) taking place here in 2018,” the assistant secretary general said.

Climate change high on Pacific States agenda

Caption:  Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, June 5, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

PACIFIC States have drummed on the issue of climate change affecting the region as the biggest issue at hand for the region.

Speaking on behalf of Pacific states at last week’s ACP Summit held in Port Moresby this week, Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi said climate change was such as it called for immediate action.

“Firstly and of paramount importance to us all is the issue of climate change- the Paris Agreement heralds in a new beginning,” Malielegaoi said.

“It demonstrates what is possible at the global level if countries are prepared to set aside their differences and vested interests for the common good of humanity.”

“The Paris Accord is the threat that binds the global community together. It calls for immediate and urgent action now rather than more target setting and making pledges.”

He said the pacific has been proactive in contributing to solutions to the issue with the acceptance of responsible development.

“Let me exemplify some of these good practices. Palau for instance has created the world’s sixth largest ocean sanctuary with no fishing and other extractive purposes.”

“All other countries in the pacific, small islands developing states have shown commitment through the signing and the ratification of the Paris Agreement as they did on May 22nd in New York.”

“Many have put in programs for the implementation of their respective ambitious intended nationally determined commitments,” the Samoan PM said.

He added that climate change is an existential threat for all member countries that are low lying atolls.

“Population displacement is fast becoming a reality and more importantly we must ensure that every avenue is explored to guarantee migration with dignity should the need eventuate.”

“The world must realize and accept that saving small countries like Tuvalu and Kiribati from the adverse impact of climate change is in fact saving our planet.”

“The sustainable development goals is our roadmap for the future. The ACP group must learn from each other, share best practices and lessons learnt and wherever possible execute these responsibilities through south-south and triangular cooperation.”

He concluded, saying that as a family the group should strengthen its resilience not only to climate change, but other external shocks, whether they be natural disasters induced or economic and social in nature.

“The land is what defines us and is integral and part of who we are,” he said.

Parliament admits Samarai-Murua MP

Caption: Gordon Wesley taking his oath of office.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, June 5, 2016 (PNG)

WITH Parliament sitting as of Tuesday this week Speaker of Parliament Theo Zurenouc, following the reelection of Gordon Wesley to the Samarai-Murua seat after being ousted in 2014, admitted the newly elected MP into the chambers.

“I received a return of writ from the Governor General issued 31 March 2016 for by-election for the member to serve for the Samarai-Murua election following decision of National Court dated 29 November 2014 in matter of dispute matter between Mr Isi Henry Leonard the petitioner and Gordon Wesley and first respondent.”

The Speaker commissioned grand chief declarations of loyalty and commission 3rd August 2012, with the Sergeant in Arms admitting the new member.

Governor for Milne Bay Titus Philamon was the first to congratulate the reinstated member on behalf of the province in the Tuesday session.

“I would like to on behalf of the government and people of Milne Bay congratulate Honourable Gordon Wesley on his reelection to the seat of Samarai-Murua,” Philamon said.

“I thank the Government for the funding and the Electoral Commission for conducting the by-election, and thank the people of Samarai-Murua electorate for conducting a very example peaceful by-election in this country.”

“I know Mr Westley is not new to the electorate and now our team Milne Bay is complete.”