Science, technology and innovation (STI) are increasingly recognised as key drivers of sustainable and inclusive development across the world. Moreover, STI are vital to help achieve the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goals and provide solutions to pressing societal and economic challenges.

It is against this shared understanding that the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States  and the European Union (EU) have agreed to launch the ACP Innovation Fund, a substantial effort to boost and optimise STI capacities in the countries concerned.

New York, 26 September 2019/ACP/: States across Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) remain deeply committed to urgent and effective climate action.  At the joint side event co-organised by the ACP Group, AOSIS and the European Commission (EC) on the margins of the United National General Assembly today, the organizations highlighted the need for urgency to address the “climate emergency. ”

Brussels, 24 September 2019: Cultural Ministers throughout the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States will meet at the Palais des Congrès in Niamey, Niger from 19 to 20 October for the 5^th Meeting of ACP Ministers of Culture. The Ministerial meeting will be preceded by a two-day preparatory technical meeting of ACP Senior Officials in charge of Culture.

New York, 24 September 2019: The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and the European Union will issue a joint declaration in support of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on 24^th September on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Brussels, 18 September 2019: Member States of the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) signatories of the interim Economic Partnership Agreement held an internal meeting from 20-22 August in Cape Town, South Africa to prepare for the negotiations on the strengthening of the ESA - EU interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EU - iEPA). The group, which consists of Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe (ESA – 5) harmonised and coordinated their positions in advance of the first joint negotiations with the EU at technical level which will be held in Mauritius from 3-4 October 2019.

SAVE THE DATE

 26th September, 2019

For a Joint Side Event by the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States, the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS), and the European Commission (EC) at the UN Climate Summit on at UN Headquarters in New York, entitled:

ACP Countries leading by example: “Supporting 1.5 to Stay Alive”

On behalf of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States, H.E. Dr Patrick Gomes expressed his condolences to the Government and people of the Republic of Zimbabwe on the passing of H.E. Mr. Robert Gabriel Mugabe, the founding father and former President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, H.E. Mr. Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, has accorded Mr. Mugabe Hero status and declared a period of national mourning from 6 September 2019 until the official burial date.

At a special Committee of Ambassadors (CoA) meeting on 5 September 2019, African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) ambassadors paid tribute to outgoing Director-General (DG) of International Cooperation and Development at the European Commission, Mr Stefano Manservisi. The ambassadors warmly reflected on their relationship with the outgoing DG and thanked him for his efforts with respect to their individual countries as well as for his leadership and guidance on the joint agreements brokered between the ACP and EU.