Brussels, 21 January 2022/OACPS: Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), H.E. Mr Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, pledged to continue joint efforts with the European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) to, “further contribute to poverty reduction, attaining the effective integration of all Members of the OACPS into the world trading system and promoting sustainable, inclusive economic development.”

Secretary-General Chikoti made the statements during the online seminar on Thursday, 20 January 2022. He called the workshop a step in the right direction, by facilitating a constructive dialogue between economic and financial operators and regulators from the European Union and the OACPS.

Designed to be a knowledge-sharing and networking workshop, aimed ultimately at further deepening partnerships, the Seminar brought together the EIB’s experience and sectoral expertise with the local economic insights and market knowledge of the regional development banks.

High-level participants representing the banking and financial sectors of the Members of the OACPS and Europe, participated in the three workshops of the seminar, which were focused on key topics, namely:

a. Post-COVID recovery finance for SMEs;

b. Support for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and

c. Partnerships for financing the Global Gateway.

The Opening Ceremony, moderated by Clare Denvir, Senior Policy Advisor, EIB, featured presentations by Ambroise Fayolle, Vice President of the EIB, Mr Koen Doens, director General, DG International Partnerships at the European Commission and H.E. Samuel O Outlule, Ambassador of Botswana and Chair of the OACPS Sub-Committee on Investment and Private Sector.

Click HERE for a copy of the Presentation by H.E. Chikoti

Click HERE for the Agenda of the seminar