The 31st plenary session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) will take place in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, in Southern Africa, from June 13 to 15 2016. The session will be opened formally by its Co-Presidents Louis Michel for the European Parliament, and Netty Baldeh (Gambia) for the ACP.

The plenary session will be preceded and prepared by meetings of the three standing committees - Economic Development, Finance and Trade; Political Affairs; and Social Affairs - on Saturday, 11 June. The meeting of the Bureau will be held on Sunday, 14 June.

What will be discussed in Windhoek?

The keynote debate at the 31st plenary session of the ACP-EU JPA, entitled "The future of the ACP-EU partnership post Cotonou" will emphasise the possibilities of new reinforced partnership after 2020. An in-depth discussion on how both sides foresee the evolution of this long-term relationship between the ACP countries and the EU in the coming decades is timely, as the agreement expires soon.

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How to follow the debates?

Parts of the event program will be available on the Joint parliamentary assembly ACP-EU website.

Why is there any need for ACP JPA meeting?

The EU maintains a special partnership with the ACP countries, due to historical links between these countries and many member states. This partnership is established by the Cotonou Agreement, signed in June 2000. It is essential this partnership has a parliamentary dimension, allowing democratic control of the government and executive.