Bureau of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly Convenes, urges swift ratification of the Samoa Agreement
- Designer
- November 10, 2025
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Bureau of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly Convenes, urges swift ratification of the Samoa Agreement
Brussels, [03 September 2025] – The Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) convened virtually on 02 September 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, President of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly and Co-President of the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.
In his opening remarks, the President welcomed the newly appointed Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Moussa Saleh Batraki, a distinguished Chadian civil servant with extensive experience in governance, peace and security, and international development.
Addressing the Parliamentarians from the new OACPS Headquarters, the Secretary-General Batraki highlighted the historic moment of the Organisation’s 50th anniversary, under the theme “A Transformed and Renewed OACPS in a Changing World,”underscoring the Organisation’s continued relevance as a global actor committed to multilateralism, solidarity, and the Sustainable Development Goals. He highlighted the PACTE Initiative, a bold capacity building initiative structured around four pillars, OACPS-EU partnership and monitoring its implementation; strengthening economic policy and trade capacities through South-South and triangular cooperation; supporting climate resilience; and promoting democratic governance, including stronger parliaments and transparent elections. It seeks to support the comprehensive reform framework aimed at modernising the Secretariat, strengthening financial governance, and enhancing the Organisation’s role in global diplomacy.
Looking ahead, the Secretary-General urged Members to accelerate the ratification of the Samoa Agreement, noting that the delayed ratification is not to the benefit of Members. He also drew attention to preparations for the 11th OACPS Summit of Heads of State and Government, to be held from 27-29 March 2026 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
The Bureau congratulated the Secretary-General on his appointment and commended him on his visionary leadership on the vision for renewal and reform, assuring him of the Assembly’s full support.
Key items discussed during the meeting included:
- Proposals for revamping the Parliamentary Assembly into a modern and dynamic institution;
- Exchange of views on recent geopolitical developments and the strategic importance of the Samoa Agreement;
- The 2026 calendar of parliamentary activities and strengthening of working methods; and
- Possible thematic priorities such as the OACPS-EU parliamentary dimension, the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act, anti-money laundering legislation, and follow-up to major international conferences on financing for development and oceans governance.
The Parliamentarians called for full implementation of the Revised Georgetown agreement in particular with regard to recognising the Parliamentary Assembly as an organ of the organisation. The Bureau underlined the need to reinforce this recognition through the establishment of a new mechanism to fund and support parliamentary assembly activities, thereby equipping it with the resources and autonomy necessary to effectively fulfill its mandate.
The Bureau stressed that the OACPS’ 50th Anniversary should inspire bold thinking and innovation, urging members to embrace reform to ensure that the Assembly remains relevant, credible, and responsive to global challenges.
