Theme: Harnessing the Blue Economy to Increase Economic Benefits for SIDS and LDCs

I would like to warmly welcome all of you and thank you for finding time to participate at our side event on harnessing the blue economy to increase economic benefits for SIDS and LDCs. I wish also, at the very outset, thank our partners, the Government of Seychelles and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, for their invaluable support in co-organizing this event. The ACP Secretariat is only too happy to join forces to host this event.

It gives me great pleasure to join in welcoming you all, on behalf of the ACP Group of States, to this e-Governance Conference 2017, hosted by the Republic of Estonia. We are grateful for the hospitality accorded to us since our arrival here in the beautiful city of Tallinn. This high-level e-Governance Conference 2017 is a significant occasion, as it provides a unique opportunity for ACP Member States to engage in deliberations and share experiences with the international community on the critical issues pertaining to the embracing of e-Governance for sustainable development in developing countries.

Excellencies, Distinguished invited guests, Ladies and gentlemen

It is indeed an honour for me this afternooon, to be granted this opportunity to provide a few opening remarks  on  our theme  for this afternoon, SHE INSPIRES, as we pay homage to  International Women’s Day (8th March, 2017), and the inspirational role of the women in our ACP countries and  in the diaspora.

Instead of speaking on behalf of ACP women, the ACP Secretariat consulted the   ACP Civil Society Forum Network, (first conceptualised in 1997; first meeting 5th July,  2001), in order  to receive their inputs on   how best to strengthen and   foster a more visible generation of inspirational women throughout our ACP regions.

Statement by the ACP Secretary General H.E. Dr. Patrick I. Gomes delivered on behalf of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, at the 14th session of the Conference of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIV), 21 July 2016, Nairobi, KENYA

Mr. President,

[Protocols]

Let me first of all welcome you once again to ACP House for another series of engagements in your role as legislative collaborators for intra-ACP and ACP-EU relations.  I take this opportunity to offer my apologies for not being personally present at the last session of your Assembly. As was explained, I had to leave earlier to represent the ACP Group at the UN Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals held in New York from 25 to 27 September 2015. 

I am reliably informed however of the fruitfulness of the discussions that took place at your 39^th Session.

Mr. President,

Honourable Members,

The Right Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, Ratu Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama
Honourable Dr. Mamphono Kakhetla, Minister of Finance of the Kingdom of Lesotho, and President of the 102^nd Council Session,
Honourable Ministers,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

May I begin by expressing how deeply honoured I am to welcome you to the ACP House for the 102^nd Council Session. A special welcome to the Right Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, Ratu Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, whose presence with us today signals the high esteem the Government and people of Fiji accords the ACP Group.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,