History was made in Samoa
The African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries and the European Union have defined their framework for cooperation over the next 20 years.
On 15 November 2023, some forty member coun- tries of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) signed the new Partnership Agreement with the European Union (EU), which will go- vern the framework for cooperation between the parties over the next 20 years. Cameroon’s Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional De- velopment, Alamine Ousmane Mey, coordinator of the Cameroon-EU partnership and holder of the full powers of the President of the Repu- blic, Paul Biya, signed the agreement on behalf of his country. The official signing ceremony took place at the Multipurpose Gym Tuanaimato in Apia, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Samoa.
It was a moment of great historic signi- ficance, which enabled Fiame Naomi Mata’afa to express the hope that the new Partnership Agreement will be an instrument capable of strengthening the capacity of OACPS and the EU countries to meet global challenges
and promote shared prosperity. The new Agreement aims to esta- blish a strong political partnership between the Member States of the Organisation of African, Carib- bean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU), in order to achieve mutually bene- ficial results in areas of common and interdependent interest, based on shared values. Shared responsibility In order to eradicate poverty, the Samoa Agreement covers strate- gic priority areas such as inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development, human and so- cial development, human rights, democracy and governance, en-
vironmental sustainability and cli- mate change, peace and security, migration and mobility. Through this Agreement, the OACPS Member States and the EU are committed to promoting, protecting and fulfilling human rights, democratic principles, the rule of law and good governance, paying particular attention to gen- der equality, building peaceful and resilient states and societies, addressing existing and emerging threats to society, mobilising in- vestment, supporting trade and promoting private sector ,de- velopment, in order to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth and create decent jobs for all.
It is also about promoting human et social, and social development, particular- ly with regard to eradicating poverty and inequality, implementing a global and balanced approach to migration, combating climate change, protec- ting the environment and ensuring the sustainable management of natu- ral resources. OACPS Member States and the EU wish to achieve these objectives in an attitude of shared responsibility, soli- darity, reciprocity, and mutual respect. Dialogue and appropriate action are the main tools for achieving the ob- jectives of this Agreement.
«Through this Agree- ment, the OACPS Member States and the EU are committed to promoting, protecting and fulfilling human rights, democratic principles, the rule of law and good gover- nance, paying particu- lar attention to gender equality.».
By Rosine NKONLA AZANMENE
Source : Emerging Cameroon
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