Tayebwa Urges OACPS Legislators to Unite in EU Negotiations

In a compelling address to lawmakers from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, Uganda's Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has called for a united front in negotiations with the European Union. Speaking at the 65th session of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels on Sunday, Tayebwa emphasized that collective strength is essential for shaping international trade, investment, climate finance, and development.

A Call for Unity

Tayebwa, who also serves as President of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly, chaired his first session since assuming the role. He urged the 79 member states to develop coordinated positions on issues affecting nearly two billion people. "When we engage with our European partners, they speak as a region, not as individual countries," he said. "We must do the same. When you speak, you speak for Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, not just your own nation. That is the only way to match their influence."

The session brought together 46 heads of delegation and over 220 participants to discuss common priorities and prepare for the Joint Parliamentary Assembly with European counterparts, running from today until Friday. Tayebwa encouraged active participation and coordination across regions to support negotiators.

Samoa Agreement and Shared Goals

The Samoa Agreement, which underpins the OACPS-EU partnership, covers trade, investment, sustainable development, climate change, governance, peace, and security. Its success hinges on the ability of member states to agree on common positions and present them consistently. OACPS Secretary-General Moussa Batraki echoed this sentiment, stating, "Our collective force lies in combining our diverse priorities with the solidarity that unites our 79 member states." He noted that the new parliamentary architecture under the Samoa Agreement places additional responsibility on the organization to preserve unity while allowing each region to articulate its specific interests.

Batraki highlighted recent regional parliamentary engagements: the Caribbean-EU meeting in Antigua and Barbuda in February 2026, the Africa-EU meeting in Eswatini in May 2026, and the upcoming Pacific region engagement in Brussels this week.

Climate Finance and Debt Relief

The Assembly also tackled pressing issues such as climate finance, debt, trade, investment, and digital learning. Tayebwa called for climate financing solutions that do not exacerbate the debt burden of developing countries, while stressing the importance of strengthening digital skills and institutions. Batraki urged parliaments to influence international discussions and ensure commitments on climate change, trade, investment, and food security translate into practical national policies.

Pacific Regional Parliamentary Group president Renata Tamapua supported the proposal, suggesting that member contributions should reflect their financial capacities, geographical challenges, and travel costs.

As the OACPS navigates the complexities of international negotiations, Tayebwa's call for unity resonates as a critical step toward ensuring that the voices of African, Caribbean, and Pacific nations are heard and heeded on the global stage.