Brussels: The 119th session of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) took place in Brussels on May 23 and 24, 2025. Burkina Faso played a key role in this session, representing the countries of the AES Confederation.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabe Abroad, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore, was represented by Ambassador L©opold Tonguenoma Bonkoungou at the session. Ambassador Bonkoungou informed the Council members about the socio-political and security developments within the AES confederation.

The Council's agenda included discussions on institutional, legal, administrative, financial, and political issues. One of the significant administrative decisions was the approval of a new, reduced structure for the OACPS Secretariat, aligning with the revised Georgetown Agreement to address financial challenges. Furthermore, the Council adopted revised Staff Regulations for the Secretariat, incorporating recommendations from relevant bodies.

Budgetary discussions focused on the implementation of the Samoa Agreement and its ratification status, with Burkina Faso having signed the agreement in November 2023. Additionally, the Council launched the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the OACPS and approved a calendar of activities for 2025.

The session concluded with Equatorial Guinea's offer to host the 11th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the OACPS at the end of 2025, which the Council accepted.