Brussels, Belgium – The Kingdom of Eswatini has officially handed over the chairmanship of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States to the Solomon Islands during a formal ceremony held at the Bureau of the Council of Ministers Bureau du Conseil des Ministres in Brussels, Belgium.
The leadership transition took place during a sitting of the Bureau of the Council of Ministers, marking the end of Eswatini’s tenure at the helm of the multilateral body that brings together countries from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
Eswatini’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Pholile Shakantu, passed the chairmanship to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of the Solomon Islands, Hon Peter Shanel Agovaka, formally transferring responsibility for steering the organisation during a critical period on its calendar.
At ambassadorial level, the change in leadership extended to the Committee of Ambassadors, where Ambassador H E Sibusisiwe Mngomezulu handed over the chair to Ambassador H E Moses Kouni Mose, completing the transition of both political and diplomatic leadership structures.
Addressing the Bureau, Shakantu congratulated the Pacific region on assuming the presidency of the OACPS and commended the Solomon Islands for what she described as steady stewardship already shown in the initial months since taking office.
She said the early period of the new presidency had been characterised by continuity in vision, particularly a clear commitment to the financial sustainability of the organisation, the strengthening of partnerships with development partners, and progress in preparations for the 11th OACPS Summit and its accompanying Resource Mobilisation Roundtable.
“These priorities build seamlessly upon the trajectory set during Eswatini’s tenure, ensuring institutional coherence and strategic consistency,” Shakantu said. “We are deeply appreciative of their proactive engagement and fully confident in their continued ability to guide the organisation through this pivotal phase.”
Under the new chairmanship, the Solomon Islands will lead the OACPS through a number of significant upcoming engagements, including the 11th Summit and the Resource Mobilisation Roundtable, both regarded as central to reinforcing the organisation’s financial health and advancing implementation of the Samoa Agreement among member states.
While relinquishing the chairmanship, Eswatini will continue to play a key role within the OACPS as Champion for Resource Mobilisation, a position it holds under the leadership of His Majesty King Mswati III, maintaining its involvement in efforts aimed at securing resources and strengthening cooperation across the organisation.
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