The Prime Minister delivered a statement yesterday morning on behalf of Pacific countries at the 8th Africa Caribbean Pacific (ACP) Summit of Heads of States and Governments, currently underway in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Samoa’s longest serving Prime Minister and Elder Statesman of the Pacific, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, was invited by ACP Summit Chair and Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Peter O’Neill, to address the gathering of global leadership on repositioning the ACP-Group to the Challenges of Sustainable Development.
The Prime Minister spoke of two key issues that are central to the future of the ACP family of nations: Climate Change; and the future beyond the year 2020 when the Cotonou Agreement between the Group’s 79 member states and the European Union comes to an end.
Highlighting the Paris Accord as the “thread that binds the global community together”, Tuilaepa heralded the Paris Agreement as a new beginning for global efforts to address climate change, and acknowledged the importance of collective action.
“The Paris Agreement demonstrates what is possible at the global level if countries are prepared to set aside their differences and vested interests for the common good of humanity,” he said, adding “it also reaffirms the critical importance and support of genuine and durable partnerships based on common interests.”
Prime Minister Tuilaepa noted the commitment of Pacific small islands developing states (SIDS) through the signing and ratification of the Paris Agreement, as well as actions already in place for the implementation of Intended Nationally Determined Commitments.
“We in the Pacific have been proactive in contributing to the solution with the acceptance that we are responsible for our own development.
“For instance, Palau has created the world’s six largest ocean sanctuaries, with no fishing or other extractive purposes,” said Tuilaepa.
Looking to the ACP’s post-2020 future, the Prime Minister envisages a cohesive force, with strong and effective institutions geared towards timely decision-making and implementation, capable of articulating shared concerns and interests at the global level.
Tuilaepa also called for more genuine political dialogue with the European Union, to fast-track the collective decision-making process and continue to improve and learn from past challenges, particularly those associated with EPA negotiations and dialogue under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement.
The Prime Minister also touched on issues of displacement, land rights and sustainable management of our oceans and fisheries.
“As a family, we need to strengthen our resilience not only to climate change but other exogenous shocks whether they be natural disaster induced or economic and social in nature.
“Policies framed around our uniqueness and diversity must prevail.”
The Prime Minister returned to Samoa for the 54th Independence Day celebrations while the Minister of Revenue, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt, will represent Samoa for the remainder of the ACP Summit in Port Moresby, and will deliver remarks on equitable and sustainable development.
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