Brussels, 10 March 2022/OACPS: Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and the Pacific States (OACPS), H.E. Mr. Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti participated in the XI Conference of the Strategic Triangle: Latin America-Europe-Africa from 22 to 25 February 2022. In the margins of the conference, the Secretary-General also held meetings with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Portugal; the new Executive Secretary of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP); and the President of the Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (IPDAL).

The annual Conference of the Strategic Triangle: Latin America-Europe-Africa, is organised by the Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (IPDAL) within the framework of strengthening cooperation between the three continents. During the Conference, the Secretary-General also met with officials of Latin American countries and organisations, who expressed a wish for greater collaboration with the OACPS.

On Thursday 24 February 2022, the Secretary-General took part in a high-level panel discussion on the theme, “Democratic Models and Economic Growth in the Atlantic Area“. The panel was composed of H.E. Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad; Mr. Petre Roman, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Romania; and H.E. Ambassador Marcos Pinta Gama, Secretary-General of the Organization of Ibero-American States.

During his presentation, Secretary-General Chikoti stressed the importance of establishing a common agenda and a strategic relationship between Africa, Europe and Latin America in order to significantly advance democracy, multilateralism, economic integration and the fight against climate change.

During a meeting with Dr. Paulo Neves, President of IPDAL, the Secretary-General explored the establishment of joint initiatives in the face of current global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the social and economic crises, and the dangers that threaten peace and democracy. In this regard, Dr. Neves expressed his willingness to establish closer working relations with the OACPS.

Secretary-General Chikoti also met with H.E. Dr. Francisco André, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Portuguese Republic, who reiterated Portugal’s promise to provide assistance to the OACPS in the fields of Portuguese interpretation and translation. The two leaders also exchanged views on issues of economic development and cooperation with the European Union (EU), including the new Global Europe-Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) and the important role of the OACPS in the next Oceans Conference to be held in Lisbon, from 27 June to 1 July 2022.

Secretary-General Chikoti took the opportunity of being in Lisbon to pay a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP). He was received by H.E. Mr Zacarias da Costa, Executive Secretary of the CPLP. Their exchanges focused on increased collaboration in the framework of the existing partnership between the two institutions, advancing priorities in the field of development cooperation and boosting visibility on the international scene.

Photo: Secretary-General Chikoti andH.E. Mr Zacarias da Costa.