Brussels, 06/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - Within the ACP Group's 79 member countries which represent nearly a billion people, reflection is progressing on what the group is to become. It would like to reposition itself on the international scene as a more effective and more visible global player, and what the ACP Group is to become is an issue deemed to be crucial at this time of discussion on the post-2015 global development programme, and at this time of reflection on a new partnership framework between the ACP countries and the EU. In the view of Patrick Gomes, the new secretary general designate of the ACP Group - who will take up office on 1 March - post-2015 offers the group “wide scope of promise” to stimulate South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation by taking advantage of the expertise the group has now gained on development funding and the programming of aid. This is the added value that the group can bring to the efforts to reduce poverty and to promote sustainable economic development in the ACP countries.
“With its 'tri-continental' reach, the potential for the ACP countries as an organised platform or 'hub' for South-South and Triangular cooperation has been recognised. South-South cooperation refers to the exchange resources, knowledge, technology and experience between or amongst developing countries, with the aim of fighting poverty and promoting sustainable development. In triangular cooperation, a third party - usually a developed country - also enters the partnership by sharing its own resources and expertise”, Gomes stated on 15 December, summing up the broad lines of the ongoing reflection.
During its 100th session in Brussels, the ACP Council of Ministers took note of the final report of the working group of ACP ambassadors on the future outlook for the ACP Group, and of the interim report of the group of eminent people (GEP), chaired by Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria (see EUROPE 11216 and 11213). The two reports underlined the organisation's unique tri-continental nature and the precious expertise that it has gained over recent decades from the co-management of European Development Fund (EDF) resources. Strengthening intra-ACP cooperation as well as South-South and triangular cooperation was considered an important area for work. Emphasis was also put on the need for the group to: - reform its institutional architecture for optimum performance and governance; - ensure that the financial contributions from the member states are recovered and plan additional sources of income; - adopt an inclusive approach for dialogue with regional organisations, civil society and the private sector; - and strengthen strategic communication. The working group's report will be integrated into the final document from the GEP, which will be given to the next summit of ACP heads of state and government (the place and date of are still to be arranged). (AN)