MINUTES OF THE MORNING SITTING OF TUESDAY, 19 MARCH 2019

(2020/C 334/02)

CONTENTS

10. Is our economic model compatible with climate change? 5

11. Urgent topic No 1: Issues at stake and challenges linked to the rule of law in the European Union and the ACP countries 5

12. The possibilities of renewable energies in bringing sustainable economic development to ACP countries, and particularly to remote areas 6

13. Reducing the global number of out-of-school children, adolescents and youth in ACP countries 6

MINUTES OF THE MORNING SITTING OF TUESDAY, 19 MARCH 2019

The sitting opened at 9.00

IN THE CHAIR: Joseph OWONA KONO

Co-President

10. Is our economic model compatible with climate change?

Debate without resolution with Yvo de Boer, former Executive Director of the UNFCCC

Mr Yvo de Boer, former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), introduced the debate without resolution on the compatibility of our economic model with climate change by pointing out that in spite of a significant decrease in costs for renewable energies, carbon footprint emissions are higher than ever.

He focused his presentation on what politicians can do to effectively implement the Paris Agreement. Up to now 180 countries have signed the Agreement, but only 16 have designated strategies to achieve its objectives. One reason is that the position of governments is to eradicate poverty by promoting growth, and technologies are often expensive upfront. He suggests that policymakers insist on the systematic assessment of the sustainability of investments, and that both public and donors financially support the upfront investments in technology needed to produce renewable energy. The good news is that formerly reluctant countries such as China and India, are making significant strides to become sustainable economies.

Speakers: Alpha Ousmane (Burkina Faso), Theodor Dumitru Stolojan, Jo Leinen, Lucie Milebou-Aubusson (Gabon), Catherine Bearder, Halifa Baboucar Sallah (Gambia), Maria Heubuch, Michel Kamano (Guinea), Lídia Senra Rodríguez, Moses Cheboi (Kenya), Raphael Joseph Mhone (Malawi), Louis Joseph Manscour, Amadou Dioffo (Niger), Faumuina Liuga (Samoa), Carlos Zorrinho, Clifford Andre (Seychelles), Mathew Sahr Nyuma (Sierra Leone), Andre Misiekaba (Suriname), Michael Gahler, Ahamada Soukouna (Mali), Ana Rita Geremias Sithole (Mozanbique), Price Cyprien (Haiti), Louis Michel, Domenico Rosa (European Commission).

Members agreed that the present economic model based on unrestricted consumption of goods hampered sustainable development and placed the survival of humanity in danger. It was therefore vital to adjust the economic model in a way that is compatible with climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals.

11. Urgent topic No 1: Issues at stake and challenges linked to the rule of law in the European Union and the ACP countries

There was a clear consensus among both ACP and EU Members that respect for the rule of law lies at the heart of any well-functioning democracy and it is key to the upholding and defending of human rights and freedoms.

Several Members spoke of challenges to the rule of law — in Europe as well as in ACP countries — such as a reduced space for civil society, restrictions of freedom of media and of expression, fake news and populism, undue foreign influence on elections, corruption and abuse of power by governments and other public authorities.

The representative from the Comoros gave an overview of the pre-electoral situation in the country, noting the lack of democratic transparency, and asked that his statement on this point be reflected in the minutes.

Speakers: Alpha Ousmane (Burkina Faso), Frank Engel, Oumouri Mmadi Hassani Oumouri (Comoros), Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar, Agnima Alain-Michel Lobognon (Côte d'Ivoire), Halifa Baboucar Sallah (Gambia), Lídia Senra Rodríguez, Nicolas Bay, Michael Gahler, Clifford Andre (Seychelles), Julie Ward, Adjedoue Weidou (Chad), Jacob L. Oulanyah (Uganda), Louis Michel, Marius Yaya Doumba (Cameroon), Domenico Rosa (European Commission).

Members stressed the importance of increased cooperation to tackle these challenges and of maintaining respect for the rule of law in the future EU-ACP agreement.

The possibilities of renewable energies in bringing sustainable economic development to ACP countries, and particularly to remote areas

12.

Committee on Economic Development, Finance and Trade

Co-Rapporteurs: Clifford Andre (Seychelles) and Željana Zovko

Members welcomed the timely report on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all in line with climate action and the objectives of the Paris Agreement. The report proposes a number of recommendations and innovative ways of cooperation between EU and ACP countries with a view to developing the sustainable energy potential of the ACP partners, particularly in remote areas. It also calls for the mainstreaming of cross-cutting concerns and for access to renewable, affordable and efficient energy.

Speakers: Marius Yaya Doumba (Cameroon), Mr Stefan Gehrold, Davy Victorien Yama (Central African Republic), Thierry Cornillet, Jo Leinen, Halifa Baboucar Sallah (Gambia), Michel Kamano (Guinea), Federico Abaga Ondo (Equatorial Guinea), Price Cyprien (Haiti), Lídia Senra Rodríguez, Moses Cheboi (Kenya), Raphael Joseph Mhone (Malawi), Joachim Zeller, Amadou Dioffo (Niger), Mauricia Thomas-Francis (Saint Lucia), Faumuina Liuga (Samoa), Norbert Neuser, Adjedoue Weidou (Chad), Babiker Mohamed Tom Bakhit Dafaalla (Sudan), Maria Heubuch, Siaosi Ofa Ki Vahafolau Sovaleni (Tonga), Domenico Rosa (European Commission).

The Co-Rapporteurs, Clifford Andre, and Frank Engel, replacing Željana Zovko, wound up the debate.

Reducing the global number of out-of-school children, adolescents and youth in ACP countries

13.

Committee on Social Affairs and the Environment

Co-rapporteurs: Joseph Yopy Yopy (Papua New Guinea) and Laura Agea

Joseph Yopy Yopy (Papua New Guinea), Co-Rapporteur, introduced the report.

The decentralisation of aid from local financing authorities was very important in terms of helping to avoid school drop-outs; this aid could therefore reach the schools most in need more efficiently. To encourage young people not to leave school, a number of other solutions were also proposed: besides providing appropriate infrastructure, making schools more attractive by providing free meals, including complementary activities such as sport, as well as ensuring adequate sanitary materials and toilet segregation so that adolescent girls do not stop going to school out of embarrassment. Furthermore, the need for compulsory primary and secondary schooling was stressed as was non-formal education, such as vocational training for everyone inside and outside the formal school system.

Speakers: Alpha Ousmane (Burkina Faso), Stefan Gehrold, Davy Victorien Yama (Central African Republic), Norbert Neuser, Agnima Alain-Michel Lobognon (Côte d'Ivoire), Jomo M. Dlamini (Kingdom Of Eswatini), Catherine Bearder, Halifa Baboucar Sallah (Gambia), Louis Michel, Ben Abdallah Banda (Ghana), Maria Heubuch, Price Cyprien (Haiti), Margaret Kamar (Kenya), Heather Mwiza Sibungo (Namibia), Amadou Dioffo (Niger), Lídia Senra Rodríguez, Faumuina Liuga (Samoa), Papa Babou Ndiaye (Senegal), Clifford Andre (Seychelles), Julie Ward, Mathew Sahr Nyuma (Sierra Leone), Adjedoue Weidou (Chad), Michael R. Nyambuya (Zimbabwe), Sebastian Kopulande (Zambia), Domenico Rosa (European Commission).

Joseph Yopy Yopy (Papua New Guinea), Co-Rapporteur, wound up the debate.

To conclude the morning session, Co-President Joseph Owona Kono thanked Co-President Louis Michel for his longstanding commitment to the Assembly. Co-President Louis Michel thanked the Members present, stressing the EU’s responsibility towards ACP countries and his determination to continue his commitment in this respect even after leaving the active political arena, and wishing every success for future ACP-EU relations.

(The sitting closed at 13.03)