ACP Countries At A Disadvantage In The Globalised World

The theme “ACP solidarity in a globalised world” identifies issues that the world is involved in a far reaching process of globalisation and that we enter a global village in a disadvantaged position, having to carry the negative consequences of the process of globalisation, which all countries will not benefit from.

The comment was made by the President of South Africa, His Excellency, Thabo Mbeki at the 3rd Summit of the ACP Heads of State and Government in Denarau, Nadi.

“Some of this reality is that of the member states of ACP, about 65 percent have each populations that are less than 5 million, with the majority being less than 3 million.

“The negative impact of the small size of our markets is compounded by the fact of our under-development, which underline the extent of our disadvantage relative to the developed countries of the North,” President Mbeki said.

Therefore, the South African President said for the ACP countries to succeed in our quest to overcome the imbalance between these countries and ourselves, we have to act together in solidarity, using our combined strength to make our voices heard.

“These are the sentiments that informed the decisions of the peoples of Africa to form the African Union and to adopt its development programme, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

“Our continent has taken this matter seriously on board, that we share a common destiny. Our peoples understand that the development and success of each of our countries depend on the success and development of the rest of our continent,” President Mbeki said.