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

Brussels,19 April 2006

The ACP Ministers of Education will hold their first meeting in Brussels on 5 May 2006, , to deliberate on the strategic role of intra-ACP cooperation in the attainment of the objectives and the strategies adopted by the World Education Forum held in Dakar in 2000. The meeting will provide an opportunity for participants to share their experiences in the implementation of Policies on Education for All (EFA), and the promotion of higher education for sustainable development.

This first meeting will also avail the Ministers the opportunity to hold focused discussions on the relevant elements of the objectives and strategies outlined by the Dakar Forum. Special attention will be given to the crucial problems that have an impact on educational reforms such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic and financial resources.

At the end of the meeting, the Ministers are expected to adopt a Declaration to reiterate the commitment of ACP States as a Group to address the Dakar objectives and strategies, and to reaffirm intra-ACP cooperation in this regard. They are also expected to propose a series of recommendations and interventions through intra-ACP cooperation for the implementation of the Declaration.

The Ministerial Session will be preceded by the meeting of ACP Senior Education Officials on 3 and 4 May 2006, which will have focussed discussions on key thematic areas in Education, including basic education, tertiary education, intra-ACP cooperation as well as exchange of views on the implementation of the ACP-EU cooperation Programme in Higher Education (EDULINK).