We are very pleased to welcome as a new Affiliate of the Federation the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States - OACPS.

The OACPS is an international organisation that fosters resilient societies and sustainable economies in the Member States and Regions, and that strives to revitalise multilateralism through dialogue, partnerships, and appropriate action. Formerly known as the ACP Group of States (established in 1975), the OACPS became an international organisation following the revision of the Georgetown Agreement, in 2019.  

Its 79 Member States represent a combined population of more than 1.1 billion people, accounting for more than 90 per cent of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), 80 per cent of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and 45 per cent of the Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). The majority are commodity dependent, deriving at least 60 per cent of their export earnings from commodities.  

Apart from their numerical strength, the Member States constitute a unique group of countries, covering three geographic spaces, with a rich diversity in social, economic, cultural and political developments, and serving as an enabler for development and cooperation. The aim of the Organisation is to enhance intra-OACPS cooperation and collaboration in order to foster closer relations in political, social, economic and cultural domains, including through South-South and Triangular Cooperation. The Organisation maintains long-standing relations with the European Union, as well as with other traditional and strategic partners and development agencies.  

Located in Brussels, Belgium, the OACPS Secretariat is the executive arm of the Organisation. It is entrusted with servicing the Organisation’s principal organs, in particular the Summit of Heads of State and Government, Council of Ministers, the Committee of Ambassadors, and the Parliamentary Assembly. The Secretariat also facilitates the implementation of all-OACPS, continental, regional and national programmes and projects funded by the EU.  

The Secretariat maintains the OACPS’ institutional memory. Its expertise is used for knowledge-sharing, which allows for the adaptation of projects and programmes to meet the specificities of its Member States and Regions.