Brussels, 26/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - The sixth summit of heads of state and government of the 79 member nations of the ACP Group (Africa/Caribbean/Pacific) will be hosted in Accra (Ghana) from 30 September to 3 October to a backdrop of global food, energy and financial crisis. It is therefore not surprising that the impact of such crises on a group of countries most of which are among the least developed takes pride of place at this meeting. The mid-term review of progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, on climate change and on the uncertainties linked to negotiation of economic partnership agreements (EPAs) with the EU will also be covered.
John Kufuor, President of Ghana, stresses with humour that the high level meeting is not the first to be held in Accra this year so one could rightly say “all roads lead to Accra”. He was referring to the high level forum on aid effectiveness that was held there three weeks earlier. He added: “All our development efforts mainly aim to promote human security and development (…). The environment, climate change, migration, the rise in food prices and oil as well as the EPAs are some of the difficulties currently facing the ACP States when it comes to development”. Sir John Kaputtin, Secretary General of the ACP Group, said the summit was an opportunity for heads of state to give political guidelines that will allow the ACP Group to become one of the most ardent defenders of development in the world. He said the ACP Group must position itself to safeguard its unity, its viability and its force, and form the privileged framework for the ACP states and regions for promoting sustainable development and for combating extreme poverty. (A.N./transl.jl)