Tayebwa Pushes for Financial Independence and Reforms in OACPS Parliamentary Assembly

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa recently met with lawmakers from the Pacific region in Brussels to champion comprehensive structural reforms within the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Parliamentary Assembly. Tayebwa, who serves as both OACPS President and Co-President of the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, is leading consultations ahead of upcoming legislative sessions.

A central focus of the proposed overhaul is the creation of a dedicated common fund. This mechanism is designed to reduce the Assembly’s historic reliance on external funding, which officials say has long complicated strategic planning and constrained independent operational priorities.

Under the new financing framework, member regions—Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific—would contribute based on their financial capacities. Each region would retain autonomy in determining its contributions and supported activities, anchored by strict transparency and accountability measures. Without independent funding, Tayebwa warned, the Assembly risks being reduced to merely making speeches rather than executing tangible policies.

Beyond financial autonomy, the reform agenda seeks to fortify regional representation in leadership structures, enhance the operational capacity of committees, and expand international partnerships beyond the traditional relationship with the European Parliament. Tayebwa highlighted critical focus areas for Pacific delegates, such as climate resilience, fisheries, and ocean management, urging lawmakers to anchor the Assembly’s initiatives firmly to national legislations and oversight mechanisms.

These strategic consultations in Brussels are paving the way for the 65th session of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly and the upcoming OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly meetings, both of which will be steered by Tayebwa.

Read more details on the Nile Post.