Brussels, 7 November 2017/ ACPCultures+: To mark the 4th meeting of ACP Ministers of Culture, the ACPCultures+ Programme - the ACP-EU flagship initiative to promote ACP cultural industries and cultural diversity - spoke with ACP Secretary-General H.E. Dr. Patrick Gomes to obtain his views on the important role of culture in sustaimable development. Interview by Valerio Caruso.

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ACPCultures+ : Why is it important to invest in culture?

Brussels, 6 November 2017/ ACP: The ACP Secretary-General has called for a reinforced and more coordinated relationship between the ACP Group of States and the regional economic communities and organisations within its six regions. A wider and stronger reach in ACP regions will lead to more effective implementation of ACP development programmes.

Brussels, 1 November 2017/ ACP: Members of civil society, private sector, and other economic and social partners from across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific gathered for the first dialogue of its kind at the ACP House on 30-31 October, to provide input on major issues affecting ACP countries, such as climate change, private sector development, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the future of ACP-EU relations.

Brussels, 30 October 2017/ ACP: The President of Sierra Leone H.E. Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma addressed the Committee of Ambassadors of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States on Monday 30 October to express solidarity with ACP countries as they work to reorient their future as an effective group and global player, while also preparing to negotiate a new and improved partnership with the European Union post-2020.

Brussels, 24 October 2017/ ACP/ UNIDO: ACP Secretary General Dr. Patrick I. Gomes and UNIDO Director General Mr. LI Yong will open the Symposium on “Boosting ACP Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization through job creation, value chains and productive investments” organized to celebrate the ACP-UNIDO DAY.

This event is jointly organized by the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States Secretariat (ACP Secretariat) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Brussels, 5 October 2017/ ACP: Nigerian authorities conveyed their full support and solidarity with the ACP Group of States in preparations for negotiations for an ACP-EU post-2020 partnership agreement, during an outreach mission to one of the ACP’s largest member states in West Africa.

In particular, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E. Yemi Osinbajo urged fellow ACP member states to remain united in their cause, and indicated his support for the establishment of an ACP Endowment Fund, which would assist in the development agendas of ACP countries.

Brussels, 5 October 2017/ ACP: Developing countries, including those in the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group, should play a part in ongoing efforts to modernise development finance, including discussions on how to measure various financial flows into a country, for sustainable development.

This was a key message that emerged from a joint event held in Brussels on 26 September, co-organised by the ACP Group and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to facilitate important policy dialogue and sharing of strategic priorities in financing development.

Nassau, The Bahamas, 25 September 2017/ACP: Ministers in charge of Fisheries and Aquaculture in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries concluded two days of comprehensive talks on 20-21 September with a renewed commitment to developing the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in their countries, as well as unlocking the potential of the ‘blue economy’ through a new €40 million “ACP Blue Growth Initiative”.