Knowledge Sharing Session #4: Empowering Sustainability – The Path to a Green and Blue Economy in ACP Regions

On 12 December 2024, the OACPS Secretariat, with the support of Business ACP, is organising a webinar-based Knowledge Sharing Session focused on Green and Blue Economy in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

The green and blue economy represents an integrated approach to economic development that prioritises the sustainable management of natural resources. The EU’s Green Deal, the new European Consensus on Development, and the Revised OACPS Private Sector Development Strategy (2023) all highlight the significant role of green and blue economy in private sector development. These frameworks stress the need for inclusive and sustainable growth while promoting partnerships that drive decarbonisation and the transition to a circular economy. The OACPS, through its various strategies and programmes, has aligned with these goals, promoting green transitions and sustainable use of marine resources across its member states.

The session is part of the Knowledge Sharing Cycle (KSC) and aimed to:

Promote Sustainable Economic Practices: Explore how Intra-ACP programmes have fostered sustainable economic activities within green and blue sectors, highlighting practices that balance economic growth with environmental protection.
Enhance Knowledge on Policy Integration: Discuss how international and regional policies, such as the EU Green Deal and OACPS strategies, are being integrated into national and local initiatives, and how these policies can be aligned to support green and blue growth in ACP countries.
Strengthen Private Sector Engagement: Illustrate successful models of private sector involvement in green and blue economy initiatives, showcasing how businesses can lead and benefit from sustainable practices.

Download here the Knowledge base on Green and Blue Economy (EN)

Téléchargez ici la Base de Connaissance sur l’économie verte et Bleue (FR)

SPEAKERS

Knowledge Sharing Session #3: Driving Agricutural Development in OACPS countries.

On 9 July 2024, the OACPS Secretariat, with the support of Business ACP, organised a webinar-based Knowledge Sharing Session focused on Agricultural Development in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

The session is part of the Knowledge Sharing Cycle (KSC) and aimed to:

Highlight successful initiatives and interventions in agricultural development implemented under Intra-ACP PSD programmes;
Discuss lessons learned and challenges faced in promoting agricultural development in ACP countries;
Identify opportunities for synergy, collaboration, and replication of successful interventions;
Raise awareness among private and public stakeholders about the significance of agriculture in PSD and the potential avenues for its advancement.

Agriculture stands as a cornerstone of economic development in many ACP countries. It contributes significantly to GDP, employment, and food security, supporting millions of livelihoods and serving as a crucial driver of economic growth and development. However, despite its significance, the agricultural sector in many ACP countries faces a myriad of challenges that hinder its full potential.

In response to the challenges confronting the agricultural sector in ACP countries, the European Union (EU) has provided substantial support through various initiatives, including several actions undertaken within the framework of the Intra-ACP Private Sector Development (PSD) Programmes. These efforts are specifically designed to foster private sector-led agricultural development and to address key issues such as value chain development, access to finance, technology adoption, and climate resilience.

Download here the final report of the webinar on Agri-Business (EN)

Download here the Knowledge base on Agri-Business (EN)

Téléchargez ici la Base de Connaissances sur l’Agro-Industrie (FR)

SPEAKERS

Knowledge Sharing Session #2: Women Economic Empowerment in Private sector in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States

On 23 February 2024, from 3 pm to 5 pm (CET), the OACPS Secretariat, with the support of Business ACP, will organise a webinar-based Knowledge Sharing session on successful initiatives developed by the Intra-ACP PSD programmes in the area of Women Economic Empowerment.

The session is part of the Knowledge Sharing Cycle (KSC) which aims at showing how the Intra-ACP Programmes are addressing disparities issues besetting OACPS private sector. This second session will document disparities and barriers that prevent women from economically empowering themselves.

Gender disparities in access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities are significant barriers to women’s economic empowerment. While the specific challenges can vary from one country to another, some common and overarching issues include: access to financial resources; employment opportunities; entrepreneurship and business ownership; legal rights; access to education and skills development; data collection and research, etc.
Addressing these disparities and barriers requires a multi-dimensional approach involving governments, civil society, international organizations, and the private sector working together to promote gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in ACP states.

Download here the final report of the webinar on Women Economic Empowerment

Download here the Knowledge Base on Economic Empowerment of Women (EN)

Téléchargez ici la Base de Connaissances sur l’Autonomisation économique des femmes (FR)

SPEAKERS

Knowledge Sharing session #1: Digitalisation

On 17th October 2023, from 3pm to 5 pm (CET), the OACPS Secretariat, with the support of Business ACP, will organise a webinar-based Knowledge Sharing Cycle (KSC) on successful initiatives developed by the Intra-ACP PSD programmes.

Over the years, the Intra-ACP Private Sector Development (PSD) Strategy has been implemented through the Intra-ACP programmes aimed at supporting key Private Sector areas including business environment reform, value chains development, financial inclusion, access to finance for MSMEs, informal economy, digitalisation and women/youth economic empowerment, among others.

The Knowledge Sharing Cycle consists of five sessions of 2 hours each focused on strategic Private Sector areas: (1) Digitalisation, (2) Women Economic Empowerment, (3) Agri-business, (4) Green/Blue Economy, (5) Knowledge Management and Sustainability. It is an opportunity to fuel the discussion and boost the knowledge around these topics, leveraging on the Intra-ACP PSD programmes experience.

The first session is on Digitalisation in Private Sector Development in ACP countries and the involvement of the Intra-ACP programmes to the development of this key cross-cutting area.

Download here the Knowledge Base on Digitalisation (EN)

Téléchargez ici la Base de Connaissances sur la Digitalisation (FR)

Download the final report HERE