The ACP Group of StatesMaking a difference in the lives of its citizens

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The ACP Group of StatesMaking a difference in the lives of its citizens

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Since its inception 40 years ago, the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States has made important contributions to global development, primarily through trade and economic cooperation. With 79 member countries (and South Sudan, now an observer), the Group provides a cohesive voice for some of the most vulnerable nations in the world, including most of the Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.

Solidarity amongst the ACP Group has been fortified over four decades of cooperation, including as a privileged partner of the European Union (EU). Through development partnerships, political dialogue and trade negotiations, significant progress can be seen in the efforts to eradicate poverty and improve the living standards of ACP citizens.

The ACP Group’s valuable experience in North-South development coopera-tion, as well as the potential to scale up South-South and Triangular cooperation amongst member states and with other emerging economies, further enriches the positive impact of the range of ACP-EU programmes currently being imple-mented. A snapshot of these is included in this publication, with but a few examples of initiatives in the areas of higher education, climate action, private sector development, infrastructure and culture.

Today, the ACP Group seeks to enhance its role in the post-2015 develop-ment era, by leveraging its numerical strength and capacity to rally developing countries behind issues of common interest. With historic milestones such as the endorsement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, as well as the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Group is well-positioned to bring added value to global efforts. The aim is to ensure that ‘no one is left behind’ in the pursuit of poverty eradication, and inclusive, sustainable development for all.

Patrick I. Gomes

ACP Secretary General

Foreword

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6 sub-regions 1 billion people

37 Small Island Developing States

39 Least Developed Countries

15 Landlocked LDCs

Who we are

The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States

VisionTo become the leading transcontinental organisation working in solidarity to improve the living standards of our peoples, through North-South and South-South Cooperation.

MissionTo accelerate the political, economic and social advancement of our peoples through good governance, poverty eradication, promotion of trade, sustainable development and equitable integration into the global economy.

R

R

Caribbean

Pacific

Sub-Saharan Africa

Established as an intergovernmental organisation in 1975

In pursuit of poverty eradication and sustainable development A voice for the

marginalised countries on global issues

Largest transcontinental grouping of developing countries with a permanent secretariat

40+ years of development cooperation with the EU

48in Sub-Saharan Africa

16in the Caribbean

15in the Pacific

79 member countries

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Leveraging its large membership, the ACP Group is able to influence the outcomes of significant international processes, for the benefit of the world’s most vulnerable populations.

Catalysing the global agreement on climatechange

The ACP Group played a key role in bringing about the historic Paris Agreement on climate change, by partnering with the European Union during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21). In a joint press statement, the 79-member ACP Group and the 28 countries, representing a majority of the world, jointly called for an ambitious, inclusive, fair, durable and dynamic agreement, with long-term goals, 5-yearly reviews, as well as transparency and accountability systems.

The joint press statement sparked what became known as the ‘High Ambition Coalition’, which spurred the momentum towards the landmark global agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions and share responsibility for tackling adverse effects of climate change.

Leading up to COP21, the ACP Council of Ministers had issued a declaration on climate change and an issues paper was circulated amongst Member States to support them during the negotiations. The ACP Group now looks towards imple-mentation, with an ACP Plan of Action that focuses on Nationally Determined Contributions, addressing loss and damage, mitigation and adaptation, technology transfer, capacity building, financing and monitoring the implementa-tion of the Paris Agreement. A special forum for Small Island Developing States has also been set up within the ACP to specifically address the challenges faced by this vulnerable group of countries.

Under the Intra-ACP component of the 11th European Development Fund, €475 million has been set aside for programmes on climate change, resilience building and the environment.

Getting the best out of the world trade system

The ACP Group is recognised in the multilateral trading system as an increasingly influential bloc, through the participation of the ACP Geneva Group in trade talks of the World Trade Organisation. WTO Director-General Mr. Roberto Azevêdo described the ACP Group as “key” to WTO’s work, as well as “very dynamic and always at the forefront of the debate”.

The ACP Group is known for its insistence that development should be at the centre of negotiations, putting the spotlight on the specific needs of its member states, as well as the needs of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small and Vulnerable Economies (SVEs) and Net Food Importing Developing Countries (NFIDCs).

The ACP provides leadership as coordinator of the G90 (Group of 90, comprising members of the ACP Group, the African Group and the Least Developed Countries Group). It seeks to bridge the divide between members, as well as reach out to cooperating partners. As partners, the ACP and EU have reached out to each other on both bilateral and international issues.

Through specific, targeted and issue-based proposals, the ACP countries has contributed markedly to the ongoing Doha Round of negotiations, and to outcomes at the 9th and 10th WTO Ministerial Conferences (MC). It was a call by the ACP Group along with others that spurred the ‘Post-Bali Work Programme’ agreed to at the 9th MC in Bali, Indonesia. ACP proposals also led to the success of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, including a section on “Special and Differen-tial Treatment Provisions” for developing countries and LDCs. Several elements in the outcome declaration of the 10th MC in Nairobi, Kenya also flow from contri-butions submitted by the ACP Group.

Making a difference in the lives of our citizens

I. Solidarity for global impact

COP21

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A platform for South-South and TriangularCooperation

South-South Cooperation (SSC) refers to the exchange of resources, knowledge, technology and experience between or amongst developing countries, with the aim of fighting poverty and promoting sustainable development. In Triangular Cooperation (TrC), a third party – a donor, international organisation or another country for instance – also enters the partnership by sharing its own resources and expertise.

Many instances of South-South cooperation take place amongst ACP member states at bilateral and regional levels. However, the ACP Group aims to boost its role as a hub for SSC & TrC, building on its geographical reach, its experience in developing intra-ACP solidarity and decades of partnership with the EU.

Since 2011, the ACP Secretariat has hosted a series of key forums on SSC and TrC, including the first meeting of the Building Block on South-South and Triangular Coopera-tion that was set up at the 4th High Level Conference on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, South Korea. The event was co-organised with the Colombian Government and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). More recently a symposium on how SSC and TrC can support the economic empowerment of women and youth was co-organised with the FAO and OIF. A study and mapping exercise commissioned by the Secretariat examined more than 120 cases of SSC and TrC in ACP countries, pinpointing lessons and best practices to upscale.

The ACP Group constantly seeks to negotiate the best terms of trade to support the burgeoning economies of its member states, which are based on exports such as cotton, fish, oil and minerals.

© European Union

ACP-FAO-OIF symposium on South-South and Triangular Cooperation, with a focus on women and youth empowerment.

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Enduring cooperation with the EU

The ACP Group was established by the Georgetown Agreement of 1975, with the aim to build solidarity amongst African, Caribbean and Pacific member states, and the ultimate aim of bringing about economic transformation, while inte-grating favourably into the world trade system.

Today, the membership of the ACP Group has expanded to 79 countries from the original 46, with the European Union as its primary development partner. The ACP-EU partnership is the world’s most comprehensive legally-binding North-South agreement, based on three complementary pillars: development coopera-tion, economic partnership and political dialogue. This unique ACP-EU framework also promotes the values of equality between partners, co-management of resources, structured dialogue, and engagement of non-state actors.

Since 1975, the two blocs have successfully concluded five rounds of negotia-tions to renew the partnership. The most recent agreement, the Cotonou Part-nership Agreement, was signed in 2000 for a period of 20 years (since revised twice). With each renewal, the partnership has been adapted to fit global devel-opment trends, growing from a focus on trade and aid, to include peace and security, good governance, democratic principles and respect for human rights.

ACP and EU parties pursue their collaboration through joint institutions, including the ACP-EU Joint Council of Ministers, the Joint Committee of Ambassadors, the Joint Development Finance Committee and the Joint Committee for Trade. The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly functions in a consultative capacity.

Making a difference in the lives of our citizens

II. An essential development partnerACP Council of Ministers meeting in session.

Signing of the First ACP-EEC Lomé Convention in 1975: Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and President in office of the Council of the EC Garret FitzGerald, Prime Minister Seewosagur Ramgoolam of Mauritius, and Togo’s President Gnassingbé Eyadéma (from left to right), among others.

© European Union

EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica and the Chairperson of the ACP Committee of Ambassadors, Amb. Mpeo Mahase Moiloa sign the Intra-ACP Strategy of the 11th European Development Fund in November 2015.

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Taking strides together

Since the Cotonou Partnership Agreement was signed in 2000, ACP regions have made key strides in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. While many targets are still lagging, the UN notes that the Sub-Saharan region improved the fastest among all developing regions in many areas, especially in relation to health and education. The region achieved a 20% climb in primary school enroll-ment rates between 2000 and 2015, alongside improved gender parity amongst students.

Meanwhile, the Caribbean region reduced the rate of extreme poverty, from 33% to 22% between 1990 and 2015, with a decline in the proportion of undernour-ished persons from 27% to 20%. In the Pacific region, the majority of countries have reduced child mortality and achieved universal primary education.

However, progress across the ACP member states remain uneven, and poverty is still a major challenge for all regions, especially for fragile or conflict-affected societies.

The European Development Fund (EDF) – the main ACP-EU instrument for development cooperation – aims to address these challenges through national, regional and Intra-ACP level programmes. For the period 2014–2020, the European Union has allocated €31.5 billion under the EDF for ACP countries. With the conclusion of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement in 2020, the ACP and EU look towards a reinvented partnership for the future that will reflect key global shifts and new development challenges.

Intra-ACP cooperation has been recognised as a highly efficient development instrument. Co-managed by the ACP Secretariat and the European Commission, the Intra-ACP instrument finances programmes and projects that target many if not all countries and regions of the ACP Group, and complements regional and national EDF programmes.

Under the 10th EDF, up to 82 ACP-wide programmes were implemented between 2008 and 2013, supporting hundreds of smaller projects. An external review noted the high level of commitments and disbursements of the allocated funds, leading to successful results, and highlighted the untapped potential of Intra-ACP cooperation as a solid development policy dialogue platform for ACP and EU stakeholders.

Over the years, Intra-ACP cooperation has moved towards a more strategic focus, with a greater effort on a limited number of sectors. For the period 2014–2020 under the 11th EDF, priority areas include: Human and Social Development (health, education, science, culture); Climate Change, Resilience building and the Environment; Private Sector Development; and the African Peace Facility. The following shows a few examples of Intra-ACP programmes in these sectors.

• The 11th cycle of the European Development Fund for ACP countries over the period 2014-2020 is worth €31.5 billion.

• Most EU-funded programmes at the national or regional levels in ACP countries are made possible through the ACP-EU framework.

• Regional Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) have been negotiated since 2002 to facilitate free trade between the EU and ACP regions. Negotiations have concluded for members of the West African region, East African Community, Southern African Development Community-EPA Group, while the Caribbean has ratified and is implementing a full EPA. Members of the Central African, Pacific and greater Eastern and Southern Africa regions are still addressing outstanding issues.

• The Intra-ACP envelope of the 11th EDF is worth €3.5 billion. Priority areas include human and social development; climate change resilience and the environment; private sector development, and the African Peace Facility.

Making a difference in the lives of our citizens

III. Improving the lives of ACP peoples

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Infrastructure

ACP-EU Water FacilityOver 880 million people around the world lack access to safe drinking water, exacerbating the poverty trap and leading to the premature deaths of more than 2 million people each year from water-related illnesses. More than 2.6 billion people do not have access to appropriate sanitation, and women and children suffer disproportionately.

To boost sustainable delivery of water and sanitation infrastructure, as well as improve water governance in ACP countries, the ACP-EU Water Facility was created in 2004, with a second ACP-EU Water Facility from 2008 to 2013.

Private sector

ACP-EU Microfinance

The ACP-EU Microfinance programme has managed to touch the lives of more than 3 million ACP citizens by providing access to finance for the poor, while also boosting the private sector. The programme was designed as a response to the systemic crisis that the microfinance sector was experiencing following the global financial downturn in 2008. The aim was to develop inclusive financial systems adapted to the needs of the poor, including pro-poor access to finance, consumer empowerment and capacity building, and equitable and efficient local markets.

By mixing direct contributions and partnerships with international organisa-tions, the programme contributed to improved legal frameworks in 36 countries, building the capacity of national microfinance networks in nearly 30 countries, and supporting more than 2,400 local microfinance organisations to better serve the needs of the poor. R Budget: €700 million (ACP-EU

Water Facility I & II)

R More than 270 projects in at least 50 countries involving NGOs, national organisations, local author-ities, regional organisations and EU and ACP Member States

R Focus on improved water management and governance; water and sanitation infrastructure; and civil society and decentralised cooperation

R Better access to drinking water for 17.8 million people

R Improved sanitation facilities available to 6.3 million people

R Hygiene education programmes for 17.5 million people

R Budget: €15 million

R 12 projects across 52 countries

R Activities include rural finance, financial education, social perfor-mance management, policy & advocacy, digital financial services

R Via partnerships with 163 micro-finance institutions, 745 credit unions and at least 1,500 self-help groups

R 3.6 million beneficiaries, including 2.5 million rural poor

R 470,000 people received financial education

R 57 ACP policy makers trained in the Boulder microfinance training programme

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© European Union

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Higher Education

ACP-EU Cooperation in Higher Education Programme (EDULINK) To drive innovation, research and capacity building, the EDULINK I programme was launched to foster regional integration in higher education through insti-tutional networking. The EDULINK I Programme started in 2006, with projects related to environment, agriculture, teacher training, gender and migration, health, and others.

The second phase of the EDULINK Programme (EDULINK II), is designed to expand and enhance the achievements of its predecessor. From 2012, EDULINK II resulted in 47 grant projects, worth € 22.5 million in total. The new projects address two target sectors - agriculture and food security, and energy - and most are still being implemented.

Culture

ACP Cultures+ Programme Supporting the vibrant cultural sector in ACP countries has been a key focus in ACP-EU cooperation. The ACP Cultures+ programme provides support to the entire sector (cinema/audio-visual and other cultural industries) and covers all parts of the value chain, e.g. production, distribution and training.

Projects receive exceptional levels of funding and are supported for up to three years. Through intra-ACP partnerships, the transmission of South-South know-how has been promoted and led to a better capacity building impact. The economic impact in ACP countries is also very important, especially in terms of youth employment, cultural investments and service providers’ development.

R Budget: €30 million (EDULINK I)

R 66 projects involving 210 higher education institutions from ACP and EU countries

R 5000 individuals trained, including students, academic staff, and profes-sionals in relevant sectors

R Diverse training methods including short courses, workshops to full

degree programmes (at the master, PhD or postgraduate level)

R Successful inter-institutional networking, institutional transforma-tions, curriculum reforms, research advancement and outreach to the local and international community (health, education, environment, nutrition, tourism)

R Budget: €30 million

R 55 projects in more than 60 countries

R Around 200 cultural organisations – many of them managed by young ACP professionals – working in part-nership

R Hundreds of ACP works of art produced (including feature films, animation, radio documentaries, books, music festivals, choreo-graphic productions etc.)

R Award-winning & internationally acclaimed works featured in events such as the International Cannes Film Festival

R More than 4000 ACP artists, tech-nicians or managers trained in a wide-range of fields in the cultural industry

R Contribution to an emerging new generation of talent

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Climate change

GCCA Intra-ACP ProgrammeThe adverse impacts of climate change threaten the very survival of the 79 developing countries of the ACP Group, and pose immediate and long-term significant risks to sustainable development efforts. As a component of the Global Climate Change Alliance, the GCCA Intra-ACP Programme helps member states better tackle climate change, through technical assistance and regional dialogue and partnerships. There are five main priorities: Adaptation; Mainstreaming; Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD); Enhancing participation in the global carbon market; and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

Since 2012, the programme has also supported ACP engagement in the UN climate negotiations, including participation at the meetings of the Conference of the Parties (COP18 to COP21).

R Budget: €40 million

R At least 60 initiatives in more than 20 countries

R 2200 national practitioners trained

R 152 climate negotiators trained

R 175 students awarded post-graduate qualifications in climate change- related studies

R Technical reports, studies, guides, and surveys published

R 106 hydro-meteorological stations installed and key climate data updated in over 100 measuring stations

R Budget: €13 million

R 8 research units operating in 5 countries, working on 13 projects

R Innovations achieved in ACP sugar sector, such as new methods for cane analysis, development of bio-pesticides, tools for efficient communication and energy use, and converting sugar trash

R Upskilling of 5 key sugar research institutes in scientific knowledge, technical skills, financial management, and commercial issues

R More than 100 technicians trained in various domains

R 42 technical communications generated to share knowledge in various fora, from research centres in 22 ACP countries

Agriculture research & innovation

ACP Sugar Research ProgrammeWith the low price of sugar on the world market and the approaching end of preferential prices in the EU, it is imperative that industries in ACP states become more efficient and diversified. The ACP Sugar Programme is a cutting-edge initiative that harnesses technology and innovation to boost the sugar cane sector in ACP countries. In addition to increasing productivity and sustainability, the programme helps to develop new and improved sugar cane varieties, diversify the uses of sugar cane through co-products and create new sources of revenue, while reducing the industry’s impact on the environment. It also provides for new infrastructures, acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment and capacity building.

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Building on achievements made so far, the ACP Group continues to strengthen its voice in the international arena, championing the cause of poverty eradication and sustainable development, while building strategic partnerships to ensure that the people of ACP countries benefit fully from global agreements and initiatives.

The Sipopo Declaration of the 7th ACP Summit of Heads of State and Government reaffirmed the resolve for African, Caribbean and Pacific countries to stay united as a Group, grounded in the values of peace, solidarity and unified action. In a turbulent world, the ACP provides a vital platform for developing countries to convene, find synergies, and act as a cohesive force to bring about positive change at the global level.

In repositioning itself for the future, the ACP Group looks forward to deepening the ACP-EU relationship as a unique North-South Development Cooperation model, while developing diversified South-South and other partnerships. With new geopolitical realities and development challenges, this entails a process of transformation, with exciting prospects in moving forward with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Towards the future

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