Brussels, 1 August 2012/ ACP: The Ambassador of Cameroon to Brussels, H.E Mr. Daniel Evina Abe’eofficially began his six-month term today as Chairman of one of the main decision-making bodies of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, the ACP Committee of Ambassadors.

He takes over from Ambassador Shirley Skerritt-Andrew of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), who held office since 1 February.

Mr Ambe’e was appointed to Brussels as Ambassador of Cameroon in 2008, after having served in various key roles in his country, including Chargé de mission to the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic, then Technical Advisor to the Civil Office of the Presidency of the Republic. Before this, he was First Vice Consul at Cameroon’s Consulate General in Paris, and held previous posts in the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Presiding in his new capacity over the Bureau of the Committee of Ambassadors for the first time last Thursday, Ambassador Abe’e said the next six months will need members’ full participation and hard work.

“We have a very full and demanding schedule laid out for the Group, and there is much to do ahead of us,” he stated.

This includes preparations for the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Suriname, three key ministerial meetings (in Culture, Trade and as the ACP Council of Ministers), as well as the ACP Summit for Heads of States and Government, all scheduled to be held by the end of 2012. Ongoing tasks remain for the six sub-committees and various ambassadorial working groups.

As Chair, Ambassador Abe’e will lead the workings of the Bureau of the Committee of Ambassadors, which consist of himself as Chairman and five vice-chairs who hold office for six-months. They coordinate the work of the ACP Committee of Ambassadors, one of the main decision-making bodies of the ACP Group, which in turn reports directly to the ACP Council of Ministers.

(Photo: Outgoing Chair H.E Shirley Skerrit-Andrew, Ambassador of the East Caribbean States and Incoming Chair H.E. Daniel Evina Abe'e, Ambassador of Cameroon)

– ACP Press