The First Programme Steering Committee (PSC) of the Intra-ACP GCCA+ Programme: Pledging for stronger collaboration and synergies
The first Programme Steering Committee (PSC) of Intra-ACP GCCA+ programme, held on 21st and 22nd October 2019 under the joint leadership of the ACP Secretariat and European Commission (DG DEVCO), brought together for the first time around the table, all Partners involved in the implementation of the Regional component of the programme.
During the meeting, participants widely recognised the importance for effective and efficient coordination between the Technical Assistance (TA) and Regional components of the Intra-ACP GCCA+ programme and in particular pledged for stronger collaboration and synergies in the areas of communication, visibility and knowledge sharing. They held focused discussion on how to stimulate the exchange of information amongst the regional partners as well as between the Regional partners and the TA team at the level of the ACP Secretariat in Brussels. Proposed recommendations include: the need for greater standardisation in terms of reporting system, namely through the use of a common template; the need for regular exchange between regional communication officers and the TA team, to enhance overall visibility; the possibility for using the programme’s common knowledge management platform for the sharing of information; and also the need for greater collaboration in the context of COP25.
The fact that the PSC took place back to back with the special meeting of the Subcommittee on Sustainable Development on the preparation of COP25, held on 23 and 24 October 2019, allowed Regional Partners representatives to also participate in that debate.
The Subcommittee discussed a draft ACP Issues Paper for COP 25. Furthermore, it recommended that Regional partners share information among each other and with ACP member states on activities planned for COP 25 and collaborate during COP25, on key areas for instance: joint activities around the NDCs, implementation of the Paris Agreement and in the context of other side events.