The President of the Seychelles, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan arrived in Luanda, Angola late yesterday afternoon to attend the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Summit.

President Ramkalawan this morning, Friday 9th December joined other Heads of State and Government, Senior government officials and high-level dignitaries at the official opening of the Summit, held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Conference Centre in Angola. 

The Summit which takes place every three years is the highest body of the OACPS and allows the Heads of State and Government to define the major orientations of the organisation.

During the event, statements and cultural performances were delivered. First to address the floor was the Secretary-General of the OACPS, H.E Mr. Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti who underlined the critical role of the OACPS organisation and core agenda of the Summit.

The opening ceremony also saw the symbolic handing over of the OACPS presidency from the Republic of Kenya to the Republic of Angola. As part of this formal process, a keynote address was delivered by the Deputy President of Kenya, H.E Mr Rigathi Gachagua, as the out-going President of the OACPS Summit.

The meeting also heard speeches from the Heads of State and Government representing the three geographical regions of the OACPS, which included statements from President of Central African Republic representing the Africa Regions of the OACPS, H.E Faustin Archangel Touadera, Statement by Hon Phillippe Edward Davis, K.C Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Bahamas representing the Caribbean Region of the OACPS, Statement by Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa, Head of Government representing the Pacific Region of the OACPS and a Video Message delivered by Mr. Antonio Guterres, SG of the United Nations respectively.

An interactive dialogue with strategic partners was also held with the aim of bringing together non traditional partners, key bilateral and  multilateral development partners, regional organisations and development banks to strengthen their cooperation with members of the OACPS given the global challenges in the changing international context.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House – Office of the President of the Republic of Seychelles.