By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, met with the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Senator Pholile Shakantu, who recently assumed the role of President of the OACPS Council of Ministers.
The meeting took place in Brussels, where Minister Shakantu is currently chairing a special session of the Council of Ministers, which has been hailed as a significant moment in Eswatini’s growing presence on the international stage.
The appointment of Minister Shakantu as the President of the OACPS Council of Ministers has been hailed by the government of Eswatini as a milestone that highlights the country’s increasing influence within global policymaking structures.
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In an official statement, the government emphasized that her leadership offers Eswatini an opportunity to actively advocate for the economic and developmental priorities of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific regions.
Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo, speaking on behalf of the administration, expressed confidence in her ability to steer the OACPS Bureau with dedication, ensuring that the interests of member states remain a priority in policy discussions.
The statement further highlighted that Eswatini is prepared to make meaningful contributions to the OACPS mission while reaffirming its commitment to cooperation and mutual support within the global community.
Minister Shakantu’s engagement with Secretary-General Chikoti comes at a crucial time for the OACPS, an organization that has evolved from the ACP Group, which was established through the Georgetown Agreement in 1975.
With 79 member states across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, the OACPS has a clear mandate centred on sustainable development, economic integration into the global economy, and the eventual eradication of poverty.
Other key objectives of the organization include consolidating unity and solidarity among member states, strengthening peace, security, and stability in free and democratic societies, promoting multilateralism, and empowering youth and women.
As President of the OACPS Council of Ministers, Minister Shakantu is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the organization’s policy direction, particularly in the context of its ongoing cooperation with the European Union.
The existing Partnership Agreement with the EU remains a focal point of OACPS activities, and under her leadership,
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Eswatini will have the opportunity to ensure that the economic and developmental concerns of member states are effectively addressed within the framework of global discussions.
Secretary-General Chikoti, who was elected to his current role at the 110th Session of the ACP Council of Ministers meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, in December 2019, brings a wealth of experience to the organization.
Before assuming leadership of the OACPS, he served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Angola to Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and as Head of Mission to the European Union.
His diplomatic expertise has been instrumental in advancing the OACPS agenda, and his discussions with Minister Shakantu are expected to set the stage for deeper engagement between the organization and key international partners.
