Tayebwa outlines OACPS reforms in Pacific Parliamentarians meeting

What the report says

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has held talks in Brussels with members of the Pacific Parliamentary Group as part of consultations on reforms to the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Parliamentary Assembly. According to The Independent Uganda, Tayebwa used the meeting to outline proposals meant to improve the Assembly’s effectiveness, strengthen regional participation and give the three OACPS regions a stronger role in its work.

A central proposal is to reduce dependence on outside funding by creating a common fund supported by contributions from the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions. Tayebwa said this would help the Assembly plan and carry out its priorities more independently, while keeping financial management and accountability in place. The report also says he raised the need for stronger regional representation in leadership, better functioning committees and working groups, and more dedicated technical support for drafting documents and following up on decisions.

The Independent Uganda reported that Tayebwa also pointed to areas where Pacific parliamentarians could contribute more, including climate resilience, oceans, fisheries and connectivity. He further argued that the Assembly should broaden its partnerships beyond the European Parliament and develop a more distinct agenda of its own.

The discussions come ahead of the 65th session of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly and related OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly meetings, which Tayebwa is set to chair or co-chair, underscoring the wider push to refresh the institution’s structure and priorities.