Deputy Speaker Tayebwa Urges 79 Nations to Unite Ahead of EU Talks

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has called on African, Caribbean and Pacific countries to unite in negotiations with the European Union on trade, investment, climate financing and development cooperation. As President of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Parliamentary Assembly, Tayebwa made the appeal while chairing the Assembly's 65th session in Brussels on November 8, 2026. The meeting brought together 46 heads of delegation and over 220 participants ahead of the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.

Tayebwa emphasized the importance of a united approach, citing Europe's collective bargaining power in international engagements. He urged legislators to coordinate their positions and support their negotiators during discussions with European counterparts. The Deputy Speaker also expressed concern over the slow ratification of the Samoa Agreement, which governs cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union. Only 15 OACPS member states and 15 EU member states have ratified the agreement, despite its provisional application since January 2024.

Tayebwa disclosed that he had written to parliamentary speakers across the OACPS, asking them to engage their governments and accelerate the ratification process. He warned that delays in ratification could affect the agreement's full implementation and limit opportunities available to member countries. OACPS Secretary-General Moussa Batraki also called for faster ratification, noting that at least 53 member states must ratify the agreement before it can be fully implemented.

Another issue raised during the meeting was the financial independence of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly. Tayebwa called for a sustainable financing mechanism that would allow the organisation to fund its activities without relying entirely on support from the European Union. The proposal received support from representatives of the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions, with proposals for an initial fund of approximately one million euros from 2027 or a common parliamentary fund.

The Assembly also discussed climate financing, debt management, digital learning and food security ahead of its engagement with European legislators. Tayebwa said developing countries needed financing arrangements that would enable them to respond to climate change without increasing their debt burdens. Batraki urged member states to use their collective influence to advance common positions on trade, investment, climate change and development financing.

The OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly opens in Brussels on November 9, with discussions expected to focus on trade relations, development financing, climate action and implementation of the Samoa Agreement. Tayebwa's call for unity and cooperation comes as the organisation seeks to strengthen its bargaining power in negotiations with the European Union. The Deputy Speaker's efforts aim to secure better terms for OACPS member states.

The outcome of the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly will be crucial in shaping the future of cooperation between the two blocs. With a united approach, the 79-member organisation can effectively negotiate with the European Union and address common challenges such as climate change, trade and investment. The Assembly's discussions will also focus on implementing the Samoa Agreement and advancing common positions on key issues.

Key points

• Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa urges African, Caribbean and Pacific countries to unite in negotiations with the European Union.
• The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Parliamentary Assembly seeks a sustainable financing mechanism to fund its activities.
• The OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly will discuss trade relations, development financing, climate action and implementation of the Samoa Agreement.