Seychelles Delegation at the Session
Seychelles took part in the 121st Session of the Council of Ministers of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), held on 15 and 16 July at the Egmont Palace in Brussels.
Ambassador Kenneth Racombo, Seychelles' Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Belgium, represented Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora Barry Faure at the meeting. He was accompanied by Rodney Sinon, Second Secretary at the Embassy of Seychelles in Brussels.
The session was chaired by Seedy K.M. Keita, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs of The Gambia, who currently holds the position of President-in-Office of the OACPS Council of Ministers.
Key Discussion Points
Much of the discussion centered on the Implementation Matrix and Road Map of the Malabo Declaration, the framework that sets out priorities agreed at the 11th Summit of OACPS Heads of State and Government. Ministers also reviewed a number of proposals put forward by the Committee of Ambassadors in Brussels, including a revised formula for member contributions and waivers on outstanding dues, as well as plans to establish an OACPS Centre of Excellence for Diaspora.
UK Tariff Changes on the Agenda
Another item on the agenda was the United Kingdom's temporary suspension of tariffs on a range of food products from countries without a preferential trade agreement with the UK. Ministers noted that the move chips away at the trade preferences OACPS member states currently rely on.
About the OACPS
The OACPS is a bloc of 79 countries across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, and its Council of Ministers is one of the organisation's main decision-making bodies. Seychelles is one of its member states.
