3rd Summit of ACP Heads of State and Government

3^rd Summit of ACP Heads of State and Government

Fiji, 18 – 19 July 2002

Message from the incoming President-in-Office of the ACP Summit

The Government of the Republic of the Fiji Islands is honoured and privileged to host the 3^rd Summit of ACP Heads of State and Government, scheduled to take place during the period 18 – 19 July 2002. Important preparatory Ministerial meetings in Fiji on 16 and 17 July will precede the Summit.

The 3^rd Summit will be the first opportunity for ACP Heads of State and Government to meet in the new Millennium, and I am convinced that this meeting could not have been scheduled at a more appropriate time. Our Heads of State and Government will have the opportunity to examine the profound changes that have occurred in the international environment, evaluate the outcomes of important international meetings, prepare and arrive at a common ACP position for forthcoming global events, in particular the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Furthermore, the 3^rd Summit will provide guidelines for the important ACP-EU negotiations for Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA’s), scheduled to commence on 27 September 2002, - and assess the state of, and future role of the ACP Group of States in, the evolving international order.

‘ACP Solidarity in a Globalized World’ was chosen as the central theme of the 3^rd Summit, and our leaders will indeed examine all possible avenues to strengthen ACP solidarity, and take full advantage of the opportunities offered by globalization. To this end, the 3^rd Summit will also assess the potential threats, and in particular focus on the main challenges facing the ACP Group of States and all developing countries, namely, the eradication of poverty and the creation of an environment favorable to sustainable development.

In organizing the 3^rd Summit in the Republic of the Fiji Islands, the ACP Group of States has decided to take on board all actors involved in the development process, and we look forward to open, constructive and meaningful dialogue and debate. Non-ACP Heads of State and Government, Heads of major regional and international organizations, Chief Executive Officers of ACP and other multi-national companies, and spokespersons of ACP and international civil society organizations will join the ACP Heads of State and Government at the 3^rd

Summit to make the event an unique and inclusive forum for dialogue and debate.

On behalf of the Fiji Government, I would like to assure all my colleagues and participants that we will do our utmost to ensure a successful and memorable 3^rd Summit, and that the outcomes of our deliberations are destined to improve the lives of the citizens of all our countries. As incoming President-in-Office of the 3^rd Summit, I would like to extend a warm Pacific welcome to all participants, and I am looking forward to constructive and momentous deliberations.

Hon. Mr. Laisenia QarasePrime Minister of the Republic of the Fiji Islands & Incoming President-in-Office of the ACP Summit