Africa, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP)

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From the first Lomé Convention (1975) to the Cotonou agreement (2000-2021), EU-ACP Parterships have governed the relations between the EU and 79 countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), which recently became the Organisation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).

Throughout this period the EESC, together with ACP civil society, fought for recognition of the essential role played by non-state operators in the development process until this was achieved in the Cotonou Agreement, which mandated the EESC to organise activities and consultations with "ACP-EU economic and social interest groups" in order to gather the views of, and give voice to the organised civil society. The aim has been to foster exchanges and provide recommendations on issues and policies relevant to ACP-EU relations, later officially addressed to the EU and ACP leaders.

In practical terms, the EESC's activities concerning EU-OACPS relations are mainly carried out under the guidance of an inclusive ACP-EU Follow-up Committee made of EESC members and delegates representing ACP economic and social interest groups.

The ACP-EU Follow-up Committee maintains regular contacts with the representatives of civil society in the ACP countries at different levels, through:

  • Regular meetings of the ACP-EU Follow-Up Committee,
  • Regional Seminars in ACP countries, providing a forum for discussing topics of common interest with civil society representatives in alternating regions,
  • Triennial General Meetings of ACP-EU economic and social interest groups in Brussels.

The EESC also maintains regular contacts with the African Union's representatives of economic and social interest groups, in the framework of the Joint EU-Africa strategy. In particular, the EESC holds annual meetings with the Africa-EU Economic and Social Stakeholder's network.

The EESC has for many years kept up regular contact with the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, presenting a report on its activities at sessions of the Plenary Assembly.

The EESC is likewise in close contact with international employers', workers', farmers', cooperatives' and consumers' organisations. These organisations nominate the ACP representatives invited to the meetings held by the EESC, including the ACP-EU Follow-up Committee.

  • On 9 November 2023, the ACP-EU Follow-up Committee held a meeting for a timely update on ACP-EU relations and with a view to discuss the participation of civil society in the post-Cotonou Agreement, the so-called Samoa Agreement that has been signed on 15 November.

  • The CARIFORUM-EU Consultative Committee (CC) was established with the task and responsibility of fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration among delegates from civil society organizations, including the academic community, and social and economic stakeholders.

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    The AU-EU partnership for a sustainable future

    The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) organises regular consultations of the European Union‑Africa Economic and Social Stakeholders' Network, which gathers representatives of organised civil society (employers and chambers of commerce, employees and trade unions, cooperatives, farmers' organisations, consumers' organisations, NGOs, etc.) from both continents.

    The 8th meeting of the EU-Africa Economic and Social Stakeholders' Network will take place in Brussels, Belgium, on 28-29 June 2023, at EESC premises, with the participation of African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU ECOSOCC).

  • Meeting of the EU-ACP Follow-up Committee - April  2022

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    Being the first in-person meeting since the irruption of COVID-19 pandemic, Delegates from Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific and EESC Members are gathering in the context of the pending signature of the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).

  • ACP
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    Under the auspices of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS)-European Union relations, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) organises regular consultation meetings with ACP and EU economic and social stakeholders, including representatives of civil society originating from the 79 ACP countries.

  • This meeting is opportunity to take stock of the EU-Africa comprehensive agenda and strategy, the role of the organised civil society and social partners and the cooperation on development in the new negotiated partnership agreement between the EU and the organisation of ACP states as well as to prepare the 29th meeting of the ACP-EU economic and social interest groups. 

  • The Meeting of the ACP-EU Follow-up Committee will virtually take place on 2 March 2021, 9.30 - 12.30 a.m. Brussels time.

    This meeting will be the opportunity to welcome the delegates to the new mandate (2021-2013) of this ACP-EU Follow-up Committee.  

     

  • INTERACTIO-7th Meeting of the representatives of African and EU economic and social stakeholders

    Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Seventh meeting of the EU-Africa Economic and Social Stakeholders' Network originally scheduled in 2020 had been postponed to 2021.

    The EESC proposes holding the Seventh meeting of the EU-Africa Economic and Social Stakeholders' Network at the EESC building in Brussels, on 2 March 2021, from 2.30 to 6.15 pm

    The meeting will be held virtually from the EESC building in Brussels. The system INTERACTIO will used as it allows simulations interpretation in EN, ES FR and PT, which is the linguistic regime applied to EESC regular activities with Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP). 

     

  • The Meeting of the Follow-up Committee ACP-EU will virtually take place on 14 December 2020, 5-7 p.m. Brussels time, which is 4-6 p.m. G.M.T., 12 a.m.-5 p.m. in Trinidad and Tobago, 7-9 p.m. in Nairobi or 4-6 a.m. in Suva (Fiji).

    This meeting will be the opportunity to properly say good-bye and thank our delegates for the good cooperation during the 2018-2020 period, before the EESC launches call for the nomination of new delegates.