Take-away messages from the PFD session on the future ACP-EU partnership

This afternoon, panellists and PFD members discussed the Post-Cotonou framework – the future ACP-EU partnership – and the role CSOs and LAs should play in this new agreement.

Participants agreed that the future ACP-EU partnership should be aligned on Agenda 2030 and the SDGs, as well as on the African Union's 2063 Agenda. Recalling the common values that will frame the renewed partnership, speakers insisted on the need to have a specific regional approach for each of the African, Caribbean and Pacific groups – remembering that each of these regions are one and indivisible. The new partnership must move away from the donor-beneficiary approach and adopt a truly egalitarian perspective, working for the achievement of the EU and ACP's mutual interests.

So when do local actors enter the game? Participants recalled that the current Cotonou agreement recognises three types of development actors alongside national governments: local governments, civil society organisations, and the private sector. The new partnership should build on this acquis and bring local actors into the negotiations arena, while recognising the role they will have to play in implementing and monitoring the new joint commitments. Speakers called for the EU to keep involving CSOs and LAs, and to support ACP countries in involving them as well on their side.

A legally-binding agreement should enshrine the recognition of CSOs and LAs in the EU-ACP multi-stakeholder partnership, framing local actions in universal values and common principles. Participants also called for more institutionalisation of this involvement and those interactions, for improved effectiveness and stronger policy coherence.