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

The integration of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group in the world economy requires a legal order that is fair, efficient, easily accessible, and predictable, ACP Secretary General Sir John Kaputin says.

He told an International Conference on ACP-EU Arbitration Issues on Wednesday (May 21st) that ACP states want properly functioning courts and other legal institutions that nurture a favourable business climate by protecting investments and by enforcing contracts.

Sir John said the ACP states are peace loving and have always resorted to the justice system to resolve their international and commercial disputes using national courts or international tribunals in order to find amicable solutions.

He told international lawyers and arbitrators who gathered at the one-day conference that they met at a time when there are ongoing negotiations at the WTO and among the ACP regions and the EU on the Economic Partnership Agreements.

“In all these negotiations alternative dispute resolution is highlighted,” the Secretary General, said.

Sir John stated that with the conclusion of EPAs, ACP States will be expected to implement significant legal reforms in a wide variety of areas linked to their WTO obligations.
They include: good governance in administrative and judicial procedures including dispute resolutions that are utilized in international business transactions, for example in negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and judicial settlement.

However Sir John admits that there are many challenges facing the ACP states in the area of institutional and technical capacity, and even at the international level.

“We do not have the capacity, both financial and in terms of human resources, to confront the powerful economic giants who violate our trade rules,” he said.

Meanwhile, amongst experts who presented their papers was ACP’s legal counsel Dr Emmanuel Opoku Awuku.

For more details contact iroga@acp.int

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