Ethiopia Officially Assumes OACPS Presidency, Unveils Agenda for 79-Nation Bloc

Addis Ababa, July 16, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia has officially assumed the presidency of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), unveiling a six-month agenda focused on institutional reform, financial sustainability, self-reliant development and stronger implementation of the Samoa Agreement.

The presidency was confirmed at the conclusion of the 121st Session of the OACPS Council of Ministers held on July 15–16 in Brussels, Belgium, the Ethiopian Embassy in Brussels told Fana Media Corporation (FMC).

Ethiopia was represented at the ministerial session by a high-level delegation led by State Minister of Finance Semereta Sewasew, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The session reviewed the implementation of the Malabo Declaration, discussed measures to ensure the financial sustainability of the Organization, assessed progress in the reform process, and examined the ratification process of the Samoa Agreement, alongside other issues of common interest to OACPS member states.

During the meeting, Ethiopia delivered statements reflecting its national priorities. Following its election as chair, Ethiopia announced the key areas that will guide its presidency from August 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027.

The priorities include safeguarding policy autonomy amid current geopolitical realities affecting the OACPS Secretariat and member states; sharing Ethiopia’s experience and expertise in self-reliant development and domestic resource mobilization; strengthening transparency and accountability within the Organization to improve governance; sustaining resource mobilization efforts to address financial challenges; and supporting the implementation of the Samoa Agreement, which underpins the partnership between the OACPS and the European Union.

The Council also endorsed Addis Ababa as the venue for the 122nd OACPS Council of Ministers Meeting, scheduled for November 2026.

Ethiopia has previously chaired the OACPS Council of Ministers twice since the establishment of the Organization — from August 1986 to January 1987 and from February to July 2017.

Ethiopia’s assumption of the presidency provides an opportunity to further engage member states and advance cooperation within the OACPS framework, including South–South cooperation and partnership with the European Union.