Brussels, 14 May 2012/ ACP: Diplomatic delegations of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group based in Brussels bade farewell to their most senior peer, H.E Kadré Désiré Ouedraogo, who ended his term as Dean of the ACP Committee of Ambassadors to take up leadership at the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Brussels, 14 May 2012/ CTA Agritrade: The EC has published its review of agriculture in the EU for 2011. Tables annexed to the review highlight the growing importance of the ACP as a market for EU agricultural exports. While between 2007 and 2010 total EU agricultural exports grew by 22.2%, agricultural exports to the ACP group as a whole grew by 37.5%. Within the ACP group, exports to South Africa grew faster than the overall ACP average, increasing by 51% (exports to the ACP excluding South Africa grew by 35.3%).

Brussels, 14 May 2012/ ACP: Ambassadors from Samoa and Jamaica have called for unity and innovation amongst fellow members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States, in view of the Group’s evolving relationship with the European Union (EU).

Suva FIJI, 14 May 2012/ PIFS: The Pacific bloc of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) grouping has urged the European Commission (EC) to officially respond to its proposals on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU).

Gerogetown, 14 May 2012/ ING/ ACP: The Guyana Parliament on Thursday evening, unanimously ratified the European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) and the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) states back in 2008, clearing the way for the country to highten its implementation of the trade pact for which the benefits and opportunities are yet to be capitalized on by Guyana.

Honiara SOLOMON IS, 10 May 2012/ SS/ ACP: On the occasion of Europe Day, 9 May, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Solomon Islands Government thanked the European Union (EU) for its support to many key activities in Solomon Islands.

Mr. Rence Sore, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Mines and Energy, commented: “EU funding has helped Solomon Islands Government and its partner SPC implement valuable projects in many sectors to help Solomon Islanders improve their quality of life.”

Brussels, 5 May 2012/ ACP: Poor infrastructure and high vulnerability to external shocks has meant low services exports amongst African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, says the ACP Group’s chief executive.

Brussels, 5 May 2012/ ACP: A commemoration to honour the estimated 800,000 to 1 million lives lost at the hands of genocidaires in Rwanda in 1994 was jointly held by the ACP Secretariat, the United Nations, and the Rwandan Embassy on Monday 30 April at the ACP House.

Former President of Tanzania Benjamin William Mkapa gives his insight on why Regulation 1528 will hurt the efforts of developing countries to successfully integrate into the world trade system. Article originally published in The Zimbabwe Mail, 02/05/2012