news 9 November 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)

Tayebwa Calls for Youth-Centric OACPS-EU Partnership in Brussels

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has urged the OACPS and the EU to prioritize youth and marginalized groups in their institutional partnership, while pushing for accelerated ratification of the Samoa Agreement. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/tayebwa-urges-inclusive-oacps-eu-partnership-focusing-on-young-people-5664796

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has made a strong appeal for a more inclusive partnership between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU). Speaking in Brussels alongside his EU counterpart Francisco Assis, Tayebwa emphasized that future cooperation must place young people and vulnerable communities at the core of developmental agendas.

Addressing critical global challenges, Tayebwa highlighted that initiatives addressing climate adaptation, ocean protection, and climate resilience directly concern future generations. He noted that involving the youth is essential, especially regarding critical raw materials and the creation of localized green jobs.

“If we are talking about climate adaptation, we are talking about young people,” Tayebwa stated. He stressed that resource-producing nations must move away from exporting unprocessed raw goods, advocating instead for local industrialization, expanded domestic processing, and fair wealth distribution.

Parliamentarians from both blocs have gathered in Brussels for a week-long meeting to review the implementation of the Samoa Agreement. Currently operating on a provisional basis, Tayebwa urged all participating governments and parliaments to accelerate full ratification processes as a shared political priority.

He concluded that the partnership must remain firmly anchored in equality, mutual respect, and shared responsibility, ensuring that OACPS nations retain a meaningful voice in shaping common global priorities.