STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE ORGANISATION OF THE AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC STATES (OACPS) ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HUMAN SOLIDARITY

Brussels, 20 December 2020/OACPS: In keeping with the annual observance of the International Day of Human Solidarity on 20 December, on behalf of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) the Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, recalls that this day reminds us of the importance of acting together for the protection and upliftment of society’s most vulnerable.

The Secretary-General acknowledges that human solidarity remains the backbone of multilateralism and the vehicle through which nations endeavour to uphold their promises with regard to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

H.E. Mr. Georges Chikoti reiterates the importance of strengthening human solidarity especially in the context of the current global crisis caused by the economic and social challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Secretary-General recalls the unity and solidarity witnessed during the First Intersessional Summit of OACPS Heads of State and Government where leaders called for global solidarity to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, recognising, in the words of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau of Canada, that, “Each of us can only prosper when all of us prosper”.

H.E. Chikoti calls therefore, for human solidarity that leads to championing initiatives that seek to build back better with efforts towards building more equal, inclusive and sustainable economies.

The Secretary-General pledges to support the Members of the OACPS in their efforts to embrace multilateral alliances that are driven by human solidarity, for the benefit of all nations and especially, the peoples of the Members of the OACPS.

Photo: OACPS Ambassadors show solidarity during a meeting