BRUSSELS, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The new Secretary General of the Organization of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), Georges Rebelo Chikoti, has pledged to implement actions to build a more ambitious, viable and internationally visible organization.
He presented the main lines and articulations of his policy to the national and international press here Tuesday.
Elected for a five-year term in December 2019 at the 9th Summit of ACP Heads of State and Government in Nairobi, Kenya, Chikoti took up office at the ACP Secretariat in Brussels on March 2.
Deeply honoured by the trust placed in him by the ACP States to lead OACPS over the next five years, Chikoto pledged his determination and full commitment to carry out his duties in accordance with the revised Georgetown Agreement.
This agreement, which was endorsed at the Nairobi Summit, sets out the modalities for a transformed ACP group that is committed to multilateralism, hence the change of name from ACP Group of States to OACPS.
"My mandate as Secretary-General will focus on transforming the group into a relevant and dynamic international organization, as well as an influential and committed player on the international scene," he said.
This transformation of OACPS implies, according to Chikoti, further strengthening the unity and solidarity of the group through intra-ACP cooperation, where each region will have a key role to play.
He is committed to consolidating and concluding the ongoing post-Cotonou negotiations and will also ensure the signature and implementation of the provisions of the revised Georgetown Agreement.
The post-Cotonou negotiations were launched in 2018 between ACP countries and European Union (EU) member states.
In order to ensure the sustainable development of ACP countries, "I intend to focus on consolidating and deepening South-South, North-South and Triangular cooperation", Chikoti stressed.
The organization intends to forge new strategic partnerships with countries and international, continental and regional organizations, while strengthening its cooperation with the EU, according to Chikoti.
