Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka closes the 120th OACPS Council of Ministers Session, urging action on reforms and delivery
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Peter Shanel Agovaka, has closed the 120th Session of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Council of Ministers with a call for Member States to translate reform commitments into measurable action and restore the Organisation’s credibility through delivery.
“The renewal of the OACPS is no longer an aspiration, it is an obligation,” Minister Agovaka said in his closing remarks.
“The credibility of our Organisation will be measured not by the quality of our debates, but by the discipline with which we implement the decisions we have taken.”
Presiding in his capacity as President-in-Office of the OACPS Council of Ministers, Minister Agovaka thanked delegations for the spirit of responsibility, unity, and solidarity demonstrated throughout the three-day meeting.
The session brought together ministers and senior representatives from across the OACPS membership to assess progress and outline a clear path forward for the Organisation’s renewal agenda.
Key outcomes and decisions
Ministers provided direction to accelerate the OACPS reform and renewal agenda, including:
- Driving ratification and implementation of the Samoa Agreement, and strengthening joint engagement with the European Union through the Agreement’s institutional frameworks;
- Enhancing financial sustainability, including improved discipline in the timely payment of Member State contributions and measures to stabilise the Secretariat’s operations and reform programme;
- Reaffirming political support for the Secretary-General’s reform agenda, including restructuring and results-focused delivery; and
- Advancing preparations for the 11th OACPS Summit, to be held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, in March 2026, with emphasis on inclusivity, resource mobilisation, and ensuring Leaders convene to endorse concrete solutions.
Minister Agovaka urged Member States to match the unity demonstrated during the session with unity in implementation through coordinated positions, sustained political backing for the Secretariat, and concrete follow-up actions in the lead-up to the Malabo Summit.
Solomon Islands reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the OACPS Secretary-General, the Committee of Ambassadors, and all Member States to ensure diligent follow-up and effective implementation of the outcomes of the 120th Session of the OACPS Council of Ministers.
SOURCE : Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade
