AMN Plus- July 16, 2026
Ethiopia has officially assumed the Chairmanship of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), marking an important milestone in the country’s international engagement and reinforcing its commitment to advancing stronger partnerships for sustainable development, shared prosperity, and a more effective multilateral system.
The Chairmanship was assumed during the OACPS Council of Ministers Meeting, held from 15–16 July 2026 in Brussels, which brought together ministers and senior government representatives from the organization’s 79 member states, alongside the OACPS Secretariat and development partners, to deliberate on key policy, strategic, and institutional priorities shaping the future of the organization.
Following the formal handover, Semereta Sewasew, State Minister of Finance of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and incoming President of the OACPS Council of Ministers, commenced Ethiopia’s Chairmanship through a series of high-level bilateral engagements with the OACPS leadership and member states to discuss Ethiopia’s priorities and strengthen strategic cooperation.
As the incoming President of the OACPS Council of Ministers, Ethiopia reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening solidarity among member states and enhancing the OACPS as a dynamic platform for economic cooperation, sustainable development, and a stronger collective voice in global affairs.
Semereta emphasized Ethiopia’s vision of a results-oriented Chairmanship that promotes practical solutions, expands economic opportunities, mobilizes sustainable financing, deepens partnerships, and improves the lives of people across OACPS member countries.
During a bilateral meeting with Moussa Saleh Batraki, Secretary-General of the OACPS, discussions focused on Ethiopia’s Chairmanship priorities, strengthening the effectiveness and visibility of the organization, and enhancing cooperation with international partners. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working closely throughout Ethiopia’s tenure to advance the organization’s strategic objectives and deliver meaningful outcomes for member states.
Semereta also held bilateral discussions with Seedy Keita, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs of the Republic of The Gambia, representing the outgoing Chair of the OACPS Council of Ministers. The meeting provided an opportunity to ensure a smooth leadership transition, exchange experiences from The Gambia’s successful tenure, and identify areas where Ethiopia can build on the progress achieved during the outgoing Chairmanship.
The discussions highlighted Ethiopia’s strategic priorities for its Chairmanship, including mobilizing innovative and sustainable financing for development; strengthening South–South and triangular cooperation; promoting trade and investment; advancing climate action and expanding access to climate finance; accelerating digital transformation; enhancing food and energy security; and promoting skilled labour mobility through mutually beneficial migration partnerships, Ethiopia also underscored the importance of advancing reforms to the global financial architecture to ensure more equitable access to development finance for developing countries.
The Chairmanship will advocate for increased concessional and climate finance, greater use of guarantees and blended finance to unlock private investment, stronger domestic resource mobilization and public financial management, and innovative financing mechanisms that accelerate sustainable development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The engagements further reaffirmed the importance of revitalizing the longstanding OACPS–European Union partnership as a strategic platform for advancing shared priorities, particularly in sustainable financing, climate resilience, trade and investment, skills development, digital, according to Ministry of Finance Ethiopia.
