Tayebwa Briefs Pacific Parliamentarians on Proposed OACPS Reforms

What the report says

Deputy Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has briefed Pacific parliamentarians in Brussels on proposed reforms to the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States Parliamentary Assembly, according to Nile Post. Tayebwa, who also serves as OACPS President and co-president of the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, said the changes are intended to make the body more effective, improve regional representation and give its three regional groups a stronger role in decision-making.

A central proposal is the creation of a common fund to help the Assembly become less dependent on external financing. Tayebwa said previous consultations with African and Caribbean members had highlighted the problems caused by relying on outside funding. Under the plan, the three regions would contribute based on their capacity, with the money supporting shared Assembly work and regional parliamentary activities, subject to financial accountability.

The reforms also cover governance and operations. Nile Post reported that Tayebwa wants equitable leadership representation across the three regions, including the existing two-year rotation of offices, as well as more technical and administrative support to help with meeting preparation, document circulation and follow-up on decisions. He also argued for stronger committees and working groups, and for broader international partnerships beyond the European Parliament.

The consultations in Brussels come ahead of the 65th session of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly and meetings of the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.