Brussels, 30 September 2011: Ambassadors of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States welcomed the recent victory 25-year-old Angolan Laila Lopes, who won the Miss Universe crown in Sao Paulo, Brazil on 12 September.

Miss Lopes beat out contestants from nearly 90 countries to take the coveted title at the pageant’s 60th anniversary.

“The entire ACP Group would like to congratulate Miss Laila Lopes on her achievement and to have done her country, Africa and indeed our ACP family so proud,” said the Chairman of the Committee of Ambassadors H.E. Mr. Stephen T.K. Katenta-Apuli.

He wished her a successful reign, and proposed to explore the possibility of consulting with the Angolan Government about making Miss Lopes a Goodwill Ambassador for the ACP.

“We are thankful for the invitation. It is a triumph for Angola in particular and Africa in general. We should all be proud,” said the country’s Ambassador, H.E. Maria Elizabeth A. Simbrao de Carvalho.

Leila Lopes hails from Benguela, Angola and won the Miss Angola UK and Miss Angola pageants before taking the Miss Universe title.

-END-