- DRC Joins the Organisation of Southern Cooperation after depositing the Instrument of Acceptance
- Secretary-General Manssour Bin Mussallam received the Instrument of Acceptance.
- The OSC, aimed at fostering cooperation and development among Southern Hemisphere countries
The Republic of the Congo has consolidated its full membership status of the Organisation of Southern Cooperation (OSC) by depositing the Instrument of Acceptance by Daniel Owassa, Ambassador of the DRC to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union.
Secretary-General Manssour Bin Mussallam received the Instrument of Acceptance at a handover ceremony yesterday at the OSC Headquarters in Addis Ababa.
The Republic of the Congo is a founding member of the OSC. The depositing of the Instrument of Acceptance signifies the completion of the full membership process by countries in the Global South.
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H.E. Bin Mussallam said the occasion marked the beginning of a systemic transformation for the Republic of the Congo as an OSC Member State, to collectively construct and espouse a third, alternative, inclusive way for development founded upon the spirit of multilateralism, solidary and self-determination.
The Secretary-General stated this was a “historic day for the Organisation as a Secretariat, as a collective of sovereign states of the South, and for the Republic of the Congo”.
“The Republic of the Congo, a founding State of the Organisation, a State that had the visionary quality of being present at our founding Summit on 19 January 2020, completed today through the deposit of its Instrument of Acceptance that was delivered by the Ambassador of the Congo in Addis Ababa. And with this, the DRC takes its legitimate and rightful place amongst our full Member States,” the Secretary-General added.
The Ambassador of the Republic of the Congo said he was satisfied to have deposited the Instrument of Acceptance that will enable full membership of his country to the OSC.
The next Phase after DRC Joins the Organisation of Southern Cooperation
After a DRC deposited its Instrument of Acceptance to join the Organisation of Southern Cooperation, several significant events unfolded that marked the beginning of its journey as a member of this regional organization.
The OSC, aimed at fostering cooperation and development among Southern Hemisphere countries, plays a pivotal role in shaping diplomatic, economic, and social interactions among its members.
The first notable step post-deposit of the Instrument of Acceptance is the formal acknowledgement and recognition by the OSC Secretariat and member states.
This recognition signifies the country’s commitment to upholding the principles and objectives of the organization, including promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development in the Southern Hemisphere.
Following recognition, the new member country gains access to many benefits and opportunities the OSC provides. These include avenues for diplomatic engagements, participation in decision-making processes, and access to technical assistance and resources for developmental projects.
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This integration into the OSC framework opens doors for collaborations in trade, investment, education, and cultural exchanges, fostering a deeper sense of solidarity and mutual growth among member states.
One of the immediate impacts of joining the OSC is the enhanced diplomatic relations with other member countries.
This often leads to bilateral and multilateral discussions on issues of common interest, paving the way for partnerships that can address regional challenges effectively.
Economic cooperation also receives a boost, with increased trade opportunities, investment flows, and joint initiatives to harness the region’s economic potential.
Moreover, being part of the OSC grants the new member access to specialized agencies and programs.
These agencies focus on sustainable development, climate action, healthcare, and education, providing invaluable support and expertise to member countries in addressing shared challenges and achieving common goals.
In essence, depositing the Instrument of Acceptance to join the Organisation of Southern Cooperation marks the beginning of a transformative journey for a country characterized by increased cooperation, mutual support, and collective progress towards a more prosperous and harmonious Southern Hemisphere.
