Tayebwa Urges OACPS Member States to Negotiate with EU as a Unified Bloc

Speaking in Brussels, Uganda’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, urged legislators from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific to close ranks and engage the European Union as a cohesive unit. Presiding over his first session as president of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Parliamentary Assembly, Tayebwa emphasized that collective strength is critical for maximizing influence on trade, investment, and climate finance.

Tayebwa noted that Europe derives significant negotiating power from acting as a single regional bloc, a strategy the 79 OACPS member states should mirror. He stressed that representatives should speak for the entire alliance rather than individual nations during upcoming discussions at the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.

A central focus of the assembly was the sluggish pace of the Samoa Agreement’s ratification. Tayebwa highlighted that only 15 OACPS members and 15 EU states have ratified the framework, falling well short of the 53 OACPS ratifications required for full implementation. He urged delegates to push their national parliaments and foreign ministries to accelerate the process and unlock developmental opportunities.

Delegates also addressed the assembly’s financial independence, debating proposals to reduce reliance on external European funding. Regional leaders from the Pacific, Caribbean, and Africa backed the establishment of a common parliamentary fund, with the African group proposing an initial €1 million contribution starting in 2027. The agenda further encompassed pressing issues such as climate financing, debt management, food security, and digital development.

For more details on the proceedings in Brussels, read the full report on the Daily Monitor.