The 11th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) is being held in this capital from March 27 to 29, along with representatives from the United Nations, the African Union (AU), and the European Union (EU), underscoring its growing geopolitical importance.
Selassie emphasized that the strength of the transcontinental organization lies in boosting its common strategic interests through genuine collaboration and addressing, with sound judgment, problems that may seem beyond its collective commitment and capacity.
The Ethiopian president stated that, in a rapidly changing global economic and political landscape, a strong and cohesive institution is essential to safeguarding the collective benefits of its members.
Upon outlining key proposals aimed at strengthening strategic multilateralism, he mentioned the importance of deepening South-South cooperation and called for a shift in the participation of middle- and high-income partners, moving beyond a traditional donor-recipient framework toward mutually beneficial relationships.
Selassie urged member states to cultivate a shared sense of ownership of the organization’s mission, while highlighting priority areas for joint action, such as sustainable development, climate-resilient economies, and peace and security as central pillars.
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