The Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), His Excellency Mr. Moussa S. Batraki, conducted a working visit to the Republic of Sierra Leone on July 28 and 29, 2025. The visit focused on high-level discussions with Sierra Leone’s political leadership.
Benin, a French-speaking West African nation, is a birthplace of the vodun (or “voodoo”) religion and home to the former Dahomey Kingdom from circa 1600–1900. In Abomey, Dahomey's former capital, the Historical Museum occupies two royal palaces with bas-reliefs recounting the kingdom’s past and a throne mounted on human skulls. To the north, Pendjari National Park offers safaris with elephants, hippos and lions. ― Google
On his second day of high-level outreach to the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Mr. Moussa S. Batraki, the Secretary-General of the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States, engaged with the country's political leadership. During his meeting with the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Charles Senessie, the Ministry expressed appreciation for the work of the OACPS and the support received through the EU-OACPS partnership. Both parties discussed opportunities for cooperation, particularly in the Ministry of Health's four main thematic areas: primary health care, secondary care, referral systems, and a robust outreach program.
The Secretary-General of the OACPS, His Excellency Mr. Moussa S. Batraki, held a high-level engagement with the President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio. He acknowledged Sierra Leone for its active participation in OACPS programmes and congratulated the President on his upcoming chairmanship of ECOWAS and the United Nations Security Council later this year. The Secretary-General also informed the President of the upcoming OACPS Summit of Heads of State and Government, which President Bio welcomed as an opportunity to reflect on 50 years of the OACPS and the future of the organisation. President Bio affirmed his commitment to the OACPS and the crucial role it plays in strengthening ties with the EU and enhancing South-South cooperation.
LIBREVILLE, Gabon — President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema received the Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), H.E. Moussa Saleh Batraki, in the Gabonese capital for high-level discussions on economic development and regional cooperation. The visit forms part of Secretary-General Batraki’s official mission to the Central African region. The meeting followed President Nguema’s invitation to Secretary-General Batraki to attend his presidential inauguration on 3 May. Discussions centred on Gabon’s ongoing efforts to diversify its economy by strengthening domestic processing industries and reducing reliance on raw material exports.
On an official visit to the Central African Republic, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), His Excellency Mr. Moussa S. Batraki, met with the highest authorities of the country. During his audience with the Head of State, Professor Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who is also the current President of CEMAC, the Secretary-General first congratulated him for his ongoing pursuit of peace and stability in the Central African Republic, the only path to establishing any development initiative. He pledged his full availability to serve under the wise guidance of the Heads of State of the OACPS and announced the upcoming Summit of Heads of State and Government of the OACPS to be held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, while calling for the full participation of Central Africa in this high-level meeting.
The Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), His Excellency Moussa Batraki, has learned with deep sadness of the passing of His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. On behalf of the OACPS and its Secretariat, Secretary-General Batraki extends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, the Government, and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during this difficult time. The OACPS stands in solidarity with Nigeria as it mourns the loss of a distinguished leader and statesman.
Brussels, 1 July 2025– Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) H.E Mr Moussa S. Batraki extends his warm congratulations to His Excellency Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat on his appointment as the Special Envoy for the Global Pact for People, Planet and Prosperity. H.E. Mr. Mahamat brings to this important role a wealth of experience as a seasoned statesman and diplomat, having served most recently as Chairperson of the African Union Commission. His leadership and tireless advocacy for multilateral cooperation, peace, and sustainable development make him exceptionally well placed to spearhead this global initiative. The OACPS applauds this timely appointment that reaffirms the Global South’s voice in shaping an inclusive and resilient global development architecture. The vision of a Global Pact that advances prosperity while safeguarding our planet aligns fully with the OACPS’s priorities under the Revised Georgetown Agreement, the Samoa Agreement and its strategic framework, the new PACTE Initiative.
Brussels, 1 July 2025. The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU) have issued a Joint Statement reaffirming their shared commitment to multilateralism and sustainable development ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4). In the statement, the 104 signatories of the Samoa Agreement, comprising 77 OACPS Member States and the 27 EU Member States, underscore the urgent need for a renewed global financing framework to close the financial gap and to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement.
It is with deep sorrow that I have learned of the passing of Her Excellency Ambassador Aziza Baroud, Ambassador of the Republic of Chad to the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, and formerly Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, the European Union, and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). Ambassador Baroud served with distinction and unwavering dedication throughout her illustrious diplomatic career. Her tenure as Chair of the OACPS Committee of Ambassadors was marked by wisdom, dignity, and a deep commitment to the values of unity, solidarity, and multilateral cooperation. Her leadership was instrumental in steering the Organisation through complex challenges and advancing the shared interests of our Member States.
The Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), H.E. Moussa Saleh Batraki, expresses profound sorrow at the passing of former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu on 5 June 2025. On behalf of the Organisation, he extends heartfelt condolences to the Government and People of Zambia. Secretary-General Batraki extends his deepest sympathies to President Lungu’s family, who bear the greatest weight of this loss. May they find comfort in the enduring respect and gratitude held for his service, and may his memory continue to inspire future generations. The Organisation shares in their grief and honors his legacy with profound respect and affection.
Dear friends and colleagues,Today, we are celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) - fifty years of solidarity, shared purpose, and collective resilience across three continents.When the Georgetown Agreement was signed in 1975, it brought together countries from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific - nations that, despite their distinct histories and geographies, shared a deep faith in cooperation, equity and the strength of unity.
The Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) H.E Mr Moussa S Batraki, extends his heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all Muslim communities within our Member States and around the world as they celebrate Eid al-Adha The Secretary-General recalls that Eid al-Adha, a Festival of Sacrifice, is a time of prayer, reflection, generosity, and unity. It calls on Muslims to uphold the values of compassion, selflessness, and faith that lie at the heart of this sacred observance. As families and communities gather in celebration, we are reminded of the enduring power of solidarity and the importance of caring for those in need.
The Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), H.E. Moussa Batraki, congratulates the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia on their election as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term. He describes their election as a testament to both countries’ commitment to peace, multilateralism, and international cooperation. Secretary-General Batraki notes that their presence on the Council comes at a critical time for global governance, when principled leadership and inclusive representation are essential. As key members of the OACPS, the DRC and Liberia are well placed to advance the interests of the wider ACP community and to contribute to international peace and security. He expresses full confidence in their new mandate and reaffirms the OACPS’s strong support throughout their mandates, underscoring the Organisation’s enduring commitment to dialogue, solidarity, and shared responsibility.
Ethiopia, in the Horn of Africa, is a rugged, landlocked country split by the Great Rift Valley. With archaeological finds dating back more than 3 million years, it’s a place of ancient culture. Among its important sites are Lalibela with its rock-cut Christian churches from the 12th–13th centuries. Aksum is the ruins of an ancient city with obelisks, tombs, castles and Our Lady Mary of Zion church. ― Google Capital: Addis Ababa Official languages: Amharic, Tigrigna, Oromo, Afar Currency: Ethiopian Birr Population: 132.1 million (2024) World Bank Prime minister: Abiy Ahmed Ali Dialing code: +251 Amharic: የኢትዮጵያ ፌዴራላዊ ዴሞክራሲያዊ ሪፐብሊክ
Guyana, a country on South America’s North Atlantic coast, is defined by its dense rainforest. English-speaking, with cricket and calypso music, it's culturally connected to the Caribbean region. Its capital, Georgetown, is known for British colonial architecture, including tall, painted-timber St. George’s Anglican Cathedral. A large clock marks the facade of Stabroek Market, a source of local produce. ― Google Capital: Georgetown Population: 831,087 (2024) World Bank President: Irfaan Ali Prime minister: Mark Phillips Gross domestic product: 24.84 billion USD (2024) World Bank Government: Republic, Unitary state, Parliamentary republic, Semi-presidential system Official language: English
Brussels, 25 May 2025 — The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) concluded the 119th Session of its Council of Ministers, held from 23 to 25 May 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. The session marked the Organisation'shistoric 50th anniversary, celebrated under the theme: "A Transformed and Renewed OACPS in a Changing World." Chaired by Senator Pholile Dlamini-Shakantu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Eswatini and President of the OACPS Council of Ministers, the session was the first regular Council meeting under the leadership of Secretary-General H.E. Moussa Saleh Batraki, who assumed office in March 2025.
Eritrea is a northeast African country on the Red Sea coast. It shares borders with Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti. The capital city, Asmara, is known for its Italian colonial buildings, like St. Joseph's Cathedral, as well as art deco structures. Italian, Egyptian and Turkish architecture in Massawa reflect the port city's colorful history. Notable buildings here include St. Mariam Cathedral and the Imperial Palace. ― Google Capital: Asmara Population: 3.536 million (2024) World Bank President: Isaias Afwerki Currency: Eritrean Nakfa Continent: Africa Government: Republic, Dictatorship, Totalitarianism, Presidential system Date of Independence: May 24, 1993