The ninth summit of African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) heads of state and government ended in Nairobi on Tuesday with the adoption of resolutions to promote a rules-based international order.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said the two-day summit that was attended by 19 Heads of State and Government and hundreds of delegates from 70 out of 79 ACP bloc, resolved to support a multilateral order that advances fair trade, peace, stability and low carbon growth.

"The summit resolved to work closely with existing alliances to tackle climate change, transnational crimes and boost maritime security," said Kenyatta who assumed chairmanship of the ACP bloc for the next three years.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd,R) speaks during the ninth summit of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) heads of state and government in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Dec. 10, 2019. (Xinhua/Chu Xinyan)

 
Among the topics discussed at the summit included peace and security, good governance, climate change, trade and enhanced ACP cooperation to boost sustainable development.

Kenyatta said that delegates resolved to reorganize policy and legislative framework governing the ACP bloc to ensure it becomes a guarantor for peace, stability and development.

"Our collective resolve is to reshape the ACP group and ensure it is responsive to new challenges, enhance south south and triangular cooperation, deepen trade and investments," said Kenyatta.

He said the summit resolved to promote public-private partnerships in order to stimulate entrepreneurship and industrial growth in the ACP bloc that is home to 1.1 billion people and has a combined GDP of 320 trillion shillings (3.2 trillion U.S. dollars).

Delegates and participants follow the proceedings at the Heads of State and Government for the 9th African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Summit at KICC, Nairobi on 9th December 2019. (Xinhua/Charles Onyango)

Kenyatta revealed that Kenya, Ghana and Papua New Guinea pledged to establish an endowment fund in line with the quest to promote financial sustainability in the ACP bloc.

He said that the ACP group of states will continue to advocate for trade agreements that are balanced and meet the social and development needs of their citizens.

Georges Chikoti, incoming secretary-general of the ACP group said the Nairobi summit marked a milestone in efforts to reshape multilateralism and ensure it is responsive to aspirations of communities in the global south.