The Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States

STATEMENT BY SIR JOHN R. KAPUTIN, SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE ACP GROUP OF STATES AT THE MEETING OF ACP MEMBERS ON THE OCCASION OF THE 4TH REGIONAL MEETING (WEST AFRICA) OF THE ACP-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO

on Wednesday, 28 October 2009

-     Mr. President,
-     Honourable ACP Members of the ACP-EU West African Regional Meeting,
-      Ladies and Gentlemen,
           
I thank you for the opportunity and privilege to make a brief statement at your meeting. Today, I will focus on the organization of the 4th Regional Meeting, as well as the role of Parliamentarians in economic development.  It is my intention to make a more substantive statement at the next session of the ACP Parliamentary Assembly in Luanda, Angola.

First of all, on behalf of the ACP Secretariat, and indeed on my own behalf, allow me to welcome you to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso for the 4th Regional Meeting of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.

Together with the host country, the Secretariat has done its best to ensure that the meeting is held in the best possible environment and that all arrangements for the comfort and convenience of Members, are put in place. As an official activity of the JPA, the organizational arrangements and funding mechanisms are based on the same principles that apply for holding Plenary Sessions of the JPA.

We started promoting this regional meeting as far back as the 1st 2009 Inter-Sessional Meetings of the ACP Parliamentary Assembly and ACP-EU JPA, held in Brussels, Belgium during February 2009. It was the wish of the Secretariat that every National Parliament of the West African Region of the ACP Group be represented in this meeting. Unfortunately, due to other commitments, not all of them could be represented.

Mr. President,
Hon. Members,

You have some very interesting subjects for discussion at this Regional Meeting. The Agenda for the Meeting was approved by the Bureau of the JPA at its meeting in Brussels during September 2009. As much as possible, the topics were intended to reflect the current and topical issues in the Region. You will notice that most of the topics have implications for regional integration, and for this reason, it was thought that the ECOWAS Commission and UEMOA should be present in the Meeting to give first hand accounts of the work of their respective organisations.  

Mr. President,

I think regional integration is the key to unlocking the developmental potential of our people. For instance, there is less trade between African countries compared with trade between Africa and the rest of the world. I think the same is true of Pacific and Caribbean Regions. However, I believe that regional integration must be the platform to foster the smooth and gradual integration of Africa into the rest of the global economy. However, regional integration is not just economic integration.  Regional integration is a multi-dimensional process that is all-inclusive to promote sustainable development and indeed the alleviation of extreme poverty

Mr. President,

Today, our world is being affected by great shocks, shocks that require an urgent response and action. These global issues – climate change, migration, natural disasters, the food, commodity, financial and energy crises – have an impact on developed and developing countries – no one is protected and insulated.  Like never before, we need political will, good leadership, effective action and dynamic change with a sense of urgency.  The time has come to construct a multi-dimensional, multi-stakeholder and all-inclusive approach to these global challenges. Let us bring results and delivery through change and improved policies, and create hope and opportunities for people in the 21st century - only then will we be on the path to sustainable development and the eradication of extreme poverty.

As we deliberate on the several agenda items on the Agenda of the 4th Regional Meeting of the JPA, let us not forget that the ultimate goal of all our endeavors is sustainable development, namely:

1. To lift ourselves from the margins and poverty unto the mainstream of international development;
2. To create wealth and opportunities for its sustainable generation; and
3. To establish and maintain political and economic institutions that will secure peace, security and stability as well as environmental protection for present and future generations in our States.

Central to all these issues is the role of parliaments. This is an issue that I believe in very strongly as a former Member of Parliament myself, as well as one time Co-President of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly. As you know, in the last decade or so, Parliamentarians have come to be viewed not just as legislative agents for their respective Governments’ policy proposals, but as development agents in their own rights. Economic success needs to be founded on effective national institutions such as Parliaments, which make it possible for those who have been given responsibility to be accountable for their actions.
Mr. President,

This calls indeed for strengthening the rule of law, meaning essentially rules and regulations that are consistent, non discriminatory, well understood and easily applied. This is the reason why there must always be countervailing forces on those who make decisions to ensure that they govern in the best interest of society. Where Parliaments are weak or ineffective, any policy devised or undertaken is likely to be the same. For instance, any effort to combat corruption would not be effective without an effective public office and the appropriate legislative mandate to carry it out. Honourable Members, you are the voices of the peoples, and collectively we can ensure that change is possible to improve the lives of so many – this goal is possible.

Thank you for your kind attention and I wish you a successful meeting.