Maputo (Mozambique), Tuesday 1st November 2022: A total of 78 OACPS Member States and the European Parliament’s Delegation to the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, representing the 27 Member States, are meeting to discuss ways of strengthening democracy through dialogue and consultations to enhance the partnership of equals and promote sustainable development.
The opening session took place on Monday, 31st October 2022, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Mozambique, His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi; the Speaker of the Mozambiquan National Assembly, H.E Esperança Laurinda Francisco Nhiuane Bia and the Mayor of Maputo H.E Eneas da Conceição Comiche.
The session is co-chaired by Co- President Hon. Peter Kenilorea Jnr, Member of Parliament from the Solomon Islands and Member of the European Parliament Hon. Carlos Zorrinho (Portugal).
On the 29th October 2022, before the convening of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly, Members of Parliament participated in the Women’s Forum, which focused on gender equality, gender-based violence, the role of Parliament in combating early child marriage, economic empowerment of women, education and impacts of conflicts and instability on the girl child.
Members of Parliament also participated in the Youth Forum, where discussions centred around issues that affect young people, such as unemployment, insufficient capacity-building opportunities, and the role of technology in human trafficking, among others.
The Joint Parliamentary Assembly will deliberate on issues of global challenge, including:
- The fight against terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa;
- Global challenges of climate change cooperation for adaptation and mitigation in the wake of COP27;
- Ensuring market access for OACPS Commodity producing countries through enhancing sustainable consumption and production patterns;
- A new framework to address biodiversity crisis: Leveraging ACP-EU Partnership in shaping the new framework to halt biodiversity loss and promote its sustainable use and conservation in the wake of COP 15.
The Joint Assembly will adopt resolutions on three issues of common concern, including:
- Enhancing cooperation on maritime security and promoting the rule of law in oceans;
- Strengthening parliamentary solidarity and political will for road safety in member countries of the OACPS and the EU, including safe infrastructure. Hon. Dr Unity Dow, together with Ms Duris Nicholsonová from the European Parliament, led discussions on this resolution; and
EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions and the list of third countries regarding anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT).
