The Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States

 

Honourable Ministers,

Excellencies,

Mr. Adama Ouane, Director of the UNESCO Institute of Education,

Distinguished Government representatives,

Education Experts,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all, on behalf of the ACP Group, to this 1^st Meeting of ACP Ministers of Education.  Let me take this opportunity to offer a special word of welcome to the Director of the UNESCO Institute for Education, Mr. Adama Ouane, representing the Director-General of UNESCO. Your presence here is a testimony of the existing partnership in development between the ACP Group of States and the United Nations System.

This  Ministerial Meeting is a significant occasion, as it has availed a unique opportunity for ACP Ministers of Education to come together and engage in discussions on critical issues pertaining to the promotion of education for sustainable development in ACP States. Indeed, your participation in this Meeting today is a testimony of your commitment to finding solutions to the challenges of promoting education as one of the major tools for sustainable development.

The 4^th Summit of ACP Heads of State and Government held in Maputo, Mozambique from 23 to 24 June 2004, reaffirmed the Group's determination to foster the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The 4^th Summit also mandated the ACP Council of Ministers to organize regular consultations between the ACP States and others States, regional, and international organizations on experiences and progress achieved by States towards the attainment of the specific and global set targets of the MDGs. It is within this framework that this Ministerial Meeting on Education has been organized, not only to reflect on the responses to the outcomes of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, but also to take stock on the progress and challenges of ACP States towards attaining the set target of the second Millennium Development Goal, dedicated to achieving universal primary education.

Hon. Ministers,

The development challenges confronted by our States are numerous and multidisplinary. They require the participation of all relevant stakeholders and development partners to chart out solutions, with the ultimate objective of improving the social and economic well-being of our people in ACP States.  This can only be achieved if there is a major commitment in financial investment in development programmes, and indeed the necessary political will.

It is within this context that we need to emphasize the importance of allocating sufficient funds for the education sector in national budgets and the upcoming 10^th EDF instrument, through the envelopes for National and Regional Indicative Programmes, as well as intra-ACP Cooperation.

In organizing this Ministerial Meeting, a specific effort was made to allocate two days for preparatory technical discussions of education experts from national, regional and international levels, as well as Government policy officials responsible for education in ACP States. This was deemed necessary, as it would permit our technical experts and officials, with their wealth of knowledge and experience to exchange views and chart out an intra-ACP cooperation agenda in the Education sector.

These technical discussions took place with a very specific objective in mind, that is to finalise the draft Brussels Declaration and a Framework for Action for Education for Sustainable Development, to be adopted by your Meeting.

I am pleased to report to you, Honourable Ministers, that our experts and officials have worked in a spirit on intra-ACP solidarity, and invested much thought and energy into this task. Their efforts have successfully resulted into the Draft Brussels Declaration and Framework for Action before you today for your further deliberation and adoption.  The challenge therefore you is to ensure that both the draft ACP Brussels Declaration and Framework for Action clearly reflect the political and financial commitment for the promotion and development of education in ACP States.

We should ensure that these first and historical technical and political discussions on the promotion and development of education in ACP States are not conducted in vain. We look forward to your guidance and support to ensure that the conclusions of this Ministerial Meeting result in implementable initiatives in the education sector for ACP States.

Such desired outcome is possible if ACP Ministers responsible for Education work hand in hand with our National and Regional Authorizing Officers to ensure that activities and programmes on education are amongst those earmarked to receive funding from EDF resources, and where possible, from other resources outside of the EDF framework. Further your political discussions should seek to explore the modalities whereby educational activities can be mainstreamed at the national and regional levels, into all aspects of development support programmes.

Hon. Ministers,

We would also wish to call upon you to ensure that in your relations with the donor community, the important role of education for sustainable development, is clearly amplified. It is only by so doing that our countries can make progress through the acquisition of new knowledge and the needed support for the promotion of education in ACP States. This will contribute to improvement of the well-being of our people, and the ultimate goal of sustainability. Let our actions and conclusions today work in harmony to reflect the view that the long-term impact of investment in education is of critical importance if we are to build for tomorrow.

Honourable Ministers,

We wish also to invite you during your deliberations, to embrace the notion that ACP States will indeed emerge as strong actors in the global economy, when they embrace a unified and coordinated approach to development. The dynamic forces at play in the international arena, and the inevitable socio-economic challenges, which will result from the current trend of globalization, require a dynamic and unified response. Our future lies in education, including an educated and vibrant youth.

In conclusion, let me wish you fruitful deliberations. I am sure that your insights today will make this 1^st Meeting of ACP Ministers of Education a memorable event in the promotion and development of Education in ACP States.

I thank you.