Brussels, 20 September 2013/ ACP: Members of ACP parliaments met in Brussels this week to discuss vital topics in preparation for the 26th ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA), set for 25-27 November in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Politicians reviewed reports from standing committees in Political Affairs; Economic Development, Finance and Trade; and Social and Environment issues before joining EU counterparts in preparative sessions for the JPA.
Opening the ACP plenary, ACP Secretary General H.E Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni made special mention of key political developments, including the elections that took place in Mali, Zimbabwe and Togo in July 2013. Observation missions sent by the JPA (Mali) and the ACP Committee of Ambassadors (Zimbabwe, Togo) witnessed proper election procedures in all cases.
“These elections demonstrate the progress and continued development of African political institutions and worthy examples for us in the ACP Group as we seek to resolve the other outstanding or emerging political challenges elsewhere in the Group,” said the Secretary General.
The Chair of the Political Affairs Committee, Hon. Lautafi Selafi Purcell further detailed situations of concern in the Central African Republic, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Comoros, which is currently disputing France’s claim to Mayotte Island.
The Committee on Economic Development, Finance and Trade spoke to financing issues of the post-2015 development programme. The Chair, Hon. Sangone Sall of Senegal underlined the need for increased intra-ACP cooperation while also supporting South-South and Triangular collaboration as a worthwhile avenue to explore for poverty eradication and sustainable development in ACP countries.
The post-2015 agenda was also highlighted by the Social and Environmental group, as well as important development issues such as seabed mining for oil and minerals, the social and environmental effects of pastoralism, and the inclusion of people with disabilities in ACP developing countries.
The 39th ACP Parliamentary Assembly was presided over by Hon. Joyce Laboso of Kenya.
(Photo: Standing Committee Chairs Hon. Selafi Purcell and Hon. Sangone Sall in plenary session at the ACP House)
– ACP Press
For documents and information on the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly session, visit the ACP-EU JPA websitehttp://www.europarl.europa.eu/intcoop/acp/10_01/default_en.htm