Fiji, March 30 -- The 11th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) opened on Saturday with Secretary-General Moussa Batraki urging the bloc to strengthen its global role and take action on shared challenges.

Speaking at the opening at the Sipopo International Conference Centre, Batraki told leaders the organisation must move beyond reaction and take a more proactive stance as it marks 50 years since its founding.

"This half-century of history is not just an achievement to celebrate; above all, it is a responsibility to uphold," he emphasised.

Batraki said the OACPS, which brings together 79 countries, is at a turning point amid global geopolitical, climate and techno...