Brussels, 29 March
From 18 until 20 March, the 37th assembly session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly took place in Bucharest. This gathering brings together Members of the European Parliament and representatives of the African, Caribbean and Pacific states that have signed the Cotonou Agreement, which is the basis for ACP-EU cooperation and development work. Some of the main topics on the program were the negotiations on the EU-UN initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls and the impact of Brexit on the ACP-EU partnership.
During the voting session on 20 March, the assembly adopted a report of MEP Željana Zovko, who had the privilege to be the rapporteur of the file. The report discusses the possibilities of renewable energies in bringing sustainable economic development to ACP countries, and particularly to the remote areas. With this initiative, the EU works towards the UN Sustainable Development goals 13 on climate action and 7 on universal access to affordable reliable and sustainable energy by 2030.
Ms Zovko was very pleased with the voting result. “The ACP-EU cooperation on renewable sustainable energy is of life importance for people in remote places. With the adoption of this report, we work together towards a more humane future.” By focussing on the renewability of the energy sources, the EU does not only focus on a positive effect on the living conditions for every individual, but also on a beneficial impact on the environment as a whole.