The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly was created out of a common desire to bring together the elected representatives of the European Community – the Members of the European Parliament – and the elected representatives of the African, Caribbean and Pacific states (“ACP countries”) that have signed the Cotonou Agreement. It is the only institution of its kind in the world.

It is the only international assembly in which the representatives of various countries sit together regularly with the aim of promoting the interdependence of North and South.

A substantial part of the work of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly is directed towards promoting human rights and democracy and the common values of humanity.