ACP8: The 8th Summit of ACP Heads of State and Government

The Minister of Economic Development, Ebrahim Patel, will lead a South African delegation to the 8th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) to be held in the Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea from 31 May to 01 June 2016. "The Summit will discuss the future of the ACP Group as a revitalised cohesive force advocating the interests of its member states in the international arena. Discussions will take into consideration recent key international developments, including Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, issues of migration, climate change and the fight against terrorism.

Under the theme ‘Repositioning the ACP Group to address the challenges of Sustainable Development’, leaders will focus on three main areas, including: Equitable and sustainable development for ACP peoples; Enhancing the role of the ACP Group in global governance for development; and Peace, security and political stability as a prerequisite for development.

The Summit will also receive and deliberate on the Final Report of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG), chaired by former President of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on the future of the Group."