The Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele last week congratulates his parliamentary colleague Honorable Peter Kenilorea (Jr), on his successful bid and appointment for the role of President of the Organization of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Parliamentary Assembly and Co-President of the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.
Minister Manele extended sincere gratitude to the Pacific Missions in Europe and the wider ACP groups for their support and confidence in supporting the nomination of Solomon Islands to this presidency role.
Minister Manele further assures Hon Peter Kenilorea Jnr of his Ministry’s support as he takes on the Presidency role of the OACPS.
In the role of President, Hon. Kenilorea Jr will represent Solomon Islands and the Pacific region as the President of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly and Co-President of the OACPS–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly to manage and preside over the consultations, debates and dialogue on issues of mutual interest.
The OACPS Parliamentary Assembly and the OACPS Joint Parliamentary Assembly are institutions established under the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement also commonly known as the Cotonou Agreement, and previously Lome series of Conventions.
The current agreement will be replaced by a new partnership Agreement in November 2021.
Kenilorea Jnr is Solomon Islands representative in the two parliamentary bodies, since assuming the role of Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee (PFRC).
The Joint Parliamentary meets four times a year in plenary and intersessional meetings.
The debates by these joint institutional bodies enhance better understanding of issues amongst parliamentarians in the bid to foster more effective platforms for cooperation amongst parliaments and towards confronting global challenges and sustainable development.
The process to facilitate the appointment was undertaken through collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, the SI Mission to the European Union in Brussels and the National Parliament Office.
–GCU
