The international scenario is rapidly changing. Following the regrettable disengagement policy put forward by the US President, Donald Trump, the call on Europe to play a greater progressive role is worldwide, and growing louder.

The 38th Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the EU and the African-Caribbean-Pacific countries is being held from 17 to 21 November in Kigali. This is taking place at exactly the right time to shape a clear message reflecting our priorities before the new EU Commission takes office and the beginning of the crucial upcoming COP25 in Madrid.

The S&D Group’s delegation to Kigali, led by the ACP-EU JPA co-president Carlos Zorrinho, will undertake to make sure the Assembly tackles the challenges ahead of us with a progressive approach centred on the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Climate change and food security; empowering women for political leadership; migration and sustainable growth; as well as the post-Cotonou ACP-EU agreement are set to be our focus for the 38th session of the JPA.

The formal opening of the session will take place on Tuesday 19 November and will be followed by a debate with Neven Mimica, current EU Commissioner for international cooperation and development. President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, will address the session on Wednesday 20 November.

The S&D delegation in Kigali will be composed of Maria Arena, who will co-chair the Women’s Forum, S&D coordinator Neena Gill, Pietro Bartolo, Alex Agius Saliba, Nikos Androulakis, Tanja Fajon, Mónica Silvana González, Hannes Heide, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Norbert Neuser, Maria Manuel Leitão Marques, Demetris Papadakis, Julie Ward and Juozas Olekas.

MEPs involved
Vice-president
Malta
Member
Belgium
Member
Italy
Member
Austria
Head of delegation
Member
Portugal
Head of delegation
Member
Lithuania
Head of delegation
Member
Cyprus
Member
Portugal
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