Brussels 01 December 2016/ ACP: The 104^th session of the Council of Ministers of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States ended yesterday in Brussels, presided over by the Hon. Lindsay F.P. GRANT, Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. 

The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States continues to monitor closely the unsettling political developments in The Gambia, following the successfully conducted elections of December 1, the graceful concession of defeat by President JAMMEH on December 2, and the latter’s subsequent reversal of that decision on December 9.  The ACP Group joins the international community in condemning the decision by outgoing President JAMMEH to subsequently contest the results of the elections, which had been declared free, fair and transparent by the Independent Electoral Commission, and which threatens the peace and harmony for which The Gambia is renowned.  Various strata of the Gambian society have unanimously condemned this volte-face – the lawyers, business community, stud

Brussels, 18 November 2016/ ACP: The ACP Sugar Group welcomed the recent publication of the “Study on Current and Forecast Market Developments for ACP Sugar Suppliers to the EU Market”, which was undertaken by Cardno/LMC International and funded by the European Union. The study sets out a comprehensive assessment of the risks for ACP/EBA sugar producers as a result of changes to the EU sugar regime and it contains a series of helpful recommendations aimed at mitigating the impacts of the reform on the ACP sugar sector.

Brussels, 27 October 2016/ ACP: The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States strongly condemns the horrific terrorist attacks perpetuated on 25 October 2016 in Mandera, Northern Kenya, by terrorist organisations which has led to the death of 12 people.

The ACP Group extends its condolences to the families of the victims as well as the people of the Republic of Kenya. The ACP stands firmly with the Government of Kenya as it confronts terrorism which poses serious threats to international peace and security.

Kigali, Rwanda, 26 October 2016/ ACP: Leaders of press clubs and press centres from across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific gathered in Kigali on 20 and 21 October during a pioneering congress, which culminated in the adoption of a charter officially founding the ACP Press Clubs Federation (ACP-PCF).

The ACP-PCF aims to establish a network of national press clubs or press centres, working in collaboration to strengthen the viability and professionalism of media bodies in ACP regions, and to foster intra-ACP communication, cooperation, and networking with similar international bodies around the world.

Brussels, 10 October 2016/ ACP: The ACP-EU TradeComII Programme is accepting concept papers from a wide range of actors who wish to carry out trade-related programmes, training, research and networking activities for the benefit of African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

Trade research or training institutions, academic institutions with specific trade programmes, export promotion or agencies, private sector advocacy organisations; and certain international organisations are invited to make submissions.

Brussels, 10 October 2016/ ACP: The ACP Secretariat and the World Customs Organisation (WCO) have teamed up to assist the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) of the ACP Group to realise the benefits of the package of measures agreed to by the 10^th World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference that was held in Nairobi, Kenya in December 2015.

New York, 21 September/ ACP: The ACP Secretary-General H.E. Dr Patrick Gomes delivered a statement at the United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants in New York on Monday, calling for international solidarity to address the drivers of migration, whether political, economic, social or environmental.