PNG ready to host 8th Summit of ACP Heads of State and Government
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| National Convention Center in Port Moresby that will host the 2018- APEC Meeting: Photo credit: Hon. Tkatchenko |
Papua New Guinea is ready to host the 8th ACP Heads of State and Government Summit to be held in Port Moresby from 30 May to 1 June 2016.
In an interview with PACNEWS in Dakar, Foreign Affairs Minister Rimbink Pato said he has assured colleagues at the 103rd Session of the ACP Council of Ministers that the Leaders will be looked after in a true Pacific Way.
“PNG is honoured; we see this as a privilege to bring a major event representing 79 countries of member states of the ACP which will come from Africa, Caribbean and off-course our own Leaders from the Pacific Islands.
"We will make all arrangements for the smooth running of the Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held from May 31 to June 1, 2016 in Port Moresby"
“We think that this is a meeting at which we want to create a legacy for ourselves in terms of the contribution to the EU – ACP partnership," said Pato.
The Summit is expected to provide political support for the strategic reorientation of the organisation, and a basis from which future relations with the European Union post-2020 can be addressed more concretely.
A key report by an Eminent Persons panel chaired by former President of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on the future of the Group will be considered at the Summit.
“The meeting in PNG will take place at a time at an important juncture in the history of the ACP Group when the 2020 agreement between EU and ACP States will come to an end. One of the key issues which will arise from the discussions is the future of the 79 member group. How will they realign, what are the issues they will need to examine and consider for the future of the ACP Group," explained Pato.
He believes the ACP Grouping is still relevant and is here to stay.
“So far the relationship between the EU – ACP states have worked in many areas, faced challenges in others. The issue is not trying to pick and choose but a continuous work programme.
“We believe that the funding envelope that comes from the European Union to the ACP member states through the ACP Secretariat of several billions of Euros for development assistance will continue even if the partnership agreements expires in 2020.
“We are looking to learn from the best practises elsewhere as well as within our own organisation how to refine it and to make it better and more relevant, said Pato.
Pato said after PNG successfully hosted the Pacific Islands Forum and the Pacific Games, the land of unexpected is more than prepared to host the Summit.
“We have the experience and we are ready to ensure the issues of logistics, security, and accommodation are addressed properly. I’ve assured colleague Ministers to encourage their Head of State and Government to come to PNG and that everything is in place and we will look after them in a true Pacific Way,” said Pato.
SOURCE: PACNEWS/ PNG Today
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