(iii) encourage financial systems reforms which help to develop viable banking and non-banking systems, capital markets and financial services, including micro finance;
(iv) improve the quality of private and public services; and
(v) encourage regional cooperation and progressive integration of macro- economic and monetary policies.
2. The design of macroeconomic policies and structural adjustment programmes shall reflect the socio political background and institutional capacity of the countries concerned, ensure a positive impact on poverty reduction and social services access and shall be based on the following principles:
(a) the ACP States shall bear primary responsibility for the analysis of the problems to be solved, the design and the implementation of the reforms;
(b) support programmes shall be adapted to the different situation in each ACP State and be sensitive to the social conditions, culture and environment of these States;
(c) the right of the ACP States to determine the direction and the sequencing of their development strategies and priorities shall be recognised and respected;
(d) the pace of reforms shall be realistic and compatible with each ACP State's Capacities and resources; and
(e) strengthening the communication and the information of populations on economic and social reforms and policies.
Article 23. Economic Sector Development
Cooperation shall support sustainable policy and institutional reforms and the investments necessary for equitable access to economic activities and productive resources, particularly:
(a) the development of training systems that help increase productivity in both the formal and the informal sectors;
(b) capital, credit, land, especially as regards property rights and use;
(c) development of rural strategies aimed at establishing a framework for participatory decentralised planning, resource allocation and management;
(d) the development of strategies with a view to enhancing agricultural production and productivity in ACP States by providing, in particular, the necessary financing for agricultural research, agricultural inputs and services, supportive rural infrastructure, and risk reduction and management. Support shall include public and private investments in agriculture, encouragement to develop agricultural policies and strategies, strengthening of farmer and private sector organisations, management of natural resources, and development and functioning of agricultural markets. The agricultural production strategies shall reinforce national and regional food-security policies and regional integration. In this con- text, cooperation shall support ACP efforts to enhance the competitive- ness of their commodity exports and to adapt their commodity export strategies in the light of evolving trade conditions;
(e) sustainable development of water resources, based on integrated water resources management principles, ensuring equitable and sustainable distribution of shared water resources between their different uses;
(f) sustainable development of aquaculture and fisheries which include both inland fisheries and marine resources within the economic exclusive zones of the ACP States;
(g) economic and technological infrastructure and services, including transport, telecommunication systems, communication services and the development of information society;
(h) development of competitive industrial, mining and energy sectors, while en- couraging private sector involvement and development;
(i) trade development, including the promotion of fair trade;
(j) development of business, finance and banking; and other service sectors;
(k) tourism development;
(l) development of scientific, technological and research infrastructure and services; including the enhancement, transfer and absorption of new technologies;
(m) the strengthening of capacities in productive areas, especially in public and private sectors;
(n) the promotion of traditional knowledge; and (90) development and implementation of specific adaptation strategies addressing the impact of preference erosion, possibly including activities mentioned in points (a) to (n) above.
Article 23A. Fisheries
Recognising the key role that fisheries and aquaculture play in ACP countries through their positive contribution to employment creation, revenue generation, food security, and livelihoods of rural and coastal communities, and hence to poverty reduction, cooperation shall aim at further developing the aquaculture and fisheries sectors of ACP countries in order to increase the associated social and economic benefits in a sustainable manner.
Cooperation programmes and activities shall support, inter alia, the development and implementation of sustainable aquaculture and fisheries development strategies and management plans in ACP countries and regions; the mainstreaming of aquaculture and fisheries into national and regional development strategies; the development of the infrastructure and technical know-how necessary to enable ACP countries to yield maximum sustainable value from their fisheries and aquaculture; capacity building of ACP countries to overcome external challenges that hinder them from taking full ad- vantage of their fisheries resources; and the promotion and development of joint ventures for investment in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors of ACP countries. Any fishery agreement that may be negotiated between the Community and the ACP States shall give due consideration to consistency with the development strategies in this area.
High-level consultations, including at ministerial level, may be held upon joint agreement with a view to developing, improving and/or strengthening ACP- EU development cooperation in sustainable aquaculture and fisheries.
Article 24. Tourism
Cooperation will aim at the sustainable development of the tourism industry in ACP countries and sub regions, recognising its increasing importance to the growth of the services sector in ACP countries and to the expansion of their global trade, its ability to stimulate other sectors of economic activity, and the role it can play in poverty eradication.
Cooperation programmes and projects will support the efforts of ACP countries to establish and improve the countries' legal and institutional framework and resources for the development and implementation of sustainable tourism policies and programmes, as well as inter alia, improving the competitive position of the sector, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), investment support and promotion, product development including the development of indigenous cultures in ACP countries, and strengthening linkages between tourism and other sectors of economic activity.
Section 2. Social and Human Development
Article 25. Social Sector Development
1. Cooperation shall support ACP States' efforts at developing general and sectoral policies and reforms which improve the coverage, quality of and access to basic social infrastructure and services and take account of local needs and specific demands of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, thus reducing the inequalities of access to these services. Special attention shall be paid to ensuring adequate levels of public spending in the social sectors. In this context, cooperation shall aim at:
(a) improving education and training at all levels, working towards recognition of tertiary education qualifications, establishment of quality assurance systems for education, including education and training delivered online or through other non-conventional means, and building technical capacity and skills;
(b) improving health systems, in particular equitable access to comprehensive and quality health care services, and nutrition, eliminating hunger and malnutrition, and ensuring adequate food supply and security, including through supporting safety nets;
(c) integrating population issues into development strategies in order to im- prove reproductive health, primary health care, family planning; and prevention of female genital mutilation;
(d) promoting the fight against:
- HIV/AIDS, ensuring the protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights of women;
- other poverty-related diseases, particularly malaria and tuberculosis;
(e) increasing the security of household water and improving access to safe water and adequate sanitation;
(f) improving the availability of affordable and adequate shelter for all through supporting low cost and low income housing programmes and improving urban development; and
(g) encouraging the promotion of participatory methods of social dialogue as well as respect for basic social rights.
2. Cooperation shall also support capacity-building in social areas such as programmes for training in the design of social policies and modem methods for managing social projects and programmes; policies conducive to technological innovation and research; building local expertise and promoting partnerships; and round-table discussions at national and/or regional level.
3. Cooperation shall promote and support the development and implementation of policies and of systems of social protection and security in order to enhance social cohesion and to promote self-help and community solidarity. The focus of the support shall, inter alia, be on developing initiatives based on economic solidarity, particularly by setting up social development funds adapted to local needs and actors.
Article 26. Youth Issues
Cooperation shall also support the establishment of a coherent and comprehen- sive policy for realising the potential of youth so that they are better integrated into society to achieve their full potential. In this context, cooperation shall sup- port policies, measures and operations aimed at:
(a) protecting the rights of children and youth, especially those of girl children;
(b) promoting the skills, energy, innovation and potential of youth in order to enhance their economic, social and cultural opportunities and enlarge their employment opportunities in the productive sector;
(c) helping community-based institutions to give children the opportunity to develop their physical, psychological, social and economic potential;
(d) reintegrating into society children in post conflict situations through rehabili- tation programmes; and
(e) promoting the active participation of young citizens in public life and fostering student exchanges and interaction of ACP and EU youth organisations.
Article 27. Culture and Development
Cooperation in the area of culture shall aim at:
(a) integrating the cultural dimension at all levels of development cooperation;
(b) recognising, preserving and promoting cultural values and identities to enable inter cultural dialogue;
(c) recognising, preserving and promoting the value of cultural heritage; supporting the development of capacity in this sector;
(d) developing cultural industries and enhancing market access opportunities for cultural goods and services;
(e) recognising and supporting the role of cultural actors and cultural networks, and their contribution to sustainable development; and
(f) promoting the cultural dimension in education and the participation of youth in cultural activities.
Section 3. Regional Cooperation and Integration
Article 28. General Approach
1. ACP-EU cooperation shall provide effective assistance to achieve the objectives and priorities which the ACP States have set themselves in the context of regional cooperation and integration.
2. In conformity with the general objectives set out in Articles 1 and 20, ACP- EU cooperation shall aim to:
(a) promote peace and stability, as well as conflict prevention and resolution;
(b) enhance economic development and economic cooperation through the build-up of larger markets, the free movement of persons, goods, services, capital, labour and technology among ACP countries, the accelerated diversification of the economies of the ACP States, the promotion and expansion of trade among ACP countries and with third countries and the gradual integration of the ACP States into the world economy;
(c) promote the management of sustainable development challenges with a transnational dimension through, inter alia, coordination and harmoni- sation of regional cooperation policies.
3. Under the conditions set out in Article 58, cooperation shall also support inter-regional and intra-ACP cooperation such as that involving:
(a) one or several ACP regional organisations, including at continental level;
(b) European Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and outermost regions;
(c) non-ACP developing countries.
Article 29. ACP-EU Cooperation In Support of Regional Cooperation and Integration
1. In the areas of stability, peace and conflict prevention, cooperation shall support:
(a) the promotion and development of a regional political dialogue in areas of conflict prevention and resolution; human rights and democratisation; ex- change, networking, and promotion of mobility between the different actors of development, in particular in civil society;
(b) the promotion of regional initiatives and policies on security-related issues, including arms control, action against drugs, organised crimes, money laundering, bribery and corruption.
2. In the area of regional economic integration, cooperation shall support:
(a) the participation of Least Developed Countries (LDC) ACP States in the establishment of regional markets and sharing the benefits therefrom;
(b) the implementation of sectoral economic reform policies at regional level;
(c) the liberalisation of trade and payments;
(d) the promotion of cross border investments both foreign and domestic, and other regional economic integration initiatives;
(e) the mitigation of the effects of net transitional costs of regional integration on budget revenue and balance of payments; and
(f) infrastructure, particularly transport and communications and safety thereof, and services, including the development of regional opportunities in the area of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
3. In the area of regional policies for sustainable development, cooperation shall support the priorities of ACP regions and, in particular:
(a) the environment and the sustainable management of natural resources, including water and energy, and addressing climate change;
(b) food security and agriculture;
(c) health, education and training;
(d) research and technological development; and
(e) regional initiatives for disaster preparedness and mitigation as well as post-disaster reconstruction.
Article 30. Capacity Building In Support of ACP Regional Cooperation and Integration
With a view to realising the effectiveness and efficiency of regional policies, cooperation shall develop and strengthen the capacities of:
(a) regional integration institutions and organisations set up by the ACP States and those with ACP State participation that promote regional cooperation and integration;
(b) national governments and parliaments in matters of regional integration; and
(c) non-State actors, including the private sector.
Section 4. Thematic and Cross-cutting Issues
Article 31. Gender Issues
Cooperation shall help strengthen policies and programmes that improve, ensure and broaden the equal participation of men and women in all spheres of political, economic, social and cultural life. Cooperation shall help improve the access of women to all resources required for the full exercise of their fundamental rights. More specifically, cooperation shall create the appropriate framework to:
(a) integrate a gender-sensitive approach and concerns at every level of development cooperation including macroeconomic policies, strategies and operations; and
(b) encourage the adoption of specific positive measures in favour of women such as:
(i) participation in national and local politics;
(ii) support for women's organisations;
(iii) access to basic social services, especially to education and training, health care and family planning;
(iv) access to productive resources, especially to land and credit and to labour market; and
(v) taking specific account of women in emergency aid and rehabilitation operations,
Article 31A. HIV/AIDS
Cooperation shall support the efforts of ACP States to develop and strengthen across all sectors policies and programmes aimed at addressing the HIV/ AIDS pandemic and preventing it from hampering development. It shall support ACP States in scaling up towards and sustaining universal access to HIV/ AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support and shall in particular aim at:
(a) supporting the development and implementation of comprehensive multi-sectoral strategies and plans for HIV/AIDS as a priority in national and regional development plans;
(b) involving, in national responses to HIV/AIDS, all appropriate development sectors and ensuring a broad mobilisation of stakeholders at all levels;
(c) strengthening national health systems and addressing shortages in human resources for health as the basis for ensuring universal access to, and the effective integration of, HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care and other health services;
(d) addressing gender inequality, gender-based violence and abuse, as drivers of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and intensifying efforts to safeguard women's and girls' rights, develop effective gender sensitive HIV/AIDS programmes and services for women and girls, including those related to sexual and reproductive health and rights, and to support the full involvement of women in planning and decision making related to HIV/ AIDS strategies and programmes;
(e) developing supportive legal and policy frameworks and removing punitive laws, policies, practices, stigma and discrimination that undermine human rights, increase vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and inhibit access to effective HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support, including medicines, commodities and services for people living with HIV/AIDS and for the populations most at risk;
(f) scaling up access to evidence-based, comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, which address the local drivers of the epidemic and the specific needs of women, young people and the populations most at risk; and
(g) ensuring universal and reliable access to safe, high-quality and affordable medicines, and to health commodities, including sexual and reproductive health commodities.
Article 32. Environment and Natural Resources
1. Cooperation on environmental protection and sustainable utilisation and management of natural resources shall aim at:
(a) mainstreaming environmental sustainability into all aspects of development cooperation and support programmes and projects implemented by the various actors;
(b) building and/or strengthening the scientific and technical human and institutional capacity for environmental management for all environmental stakeholders;
(c) supporting specific measures and schemes aimed at addressing critical sustainable management issues and also relating to current and future regional and international commitments concerning mineral and natural resources such as:
(i) tropical forests, water resources, coastal, marine and fisheries resources, wildlife, soils, biodiversity;
(ii) protection of fragile ecosystems (e.g. coral reef);
(iii) renewable energy sources notably solar energy and energy efficiency;
(iv) sustainable rural and urban development;
(v) desertification, drought and deforestation;
(vi) developing innovative solutions to urban environmental problems; and
(vii) promotion of sustainable tourism.
(d) Taking into account issues relating to the transport and disposal of hazardous waste.
2. Cooperation shall also take account of:
(a) the vulnerability of small island ACP countries, especially to the threat posed by climate change;
(b) the worsening drought and desertification problems especially of least developed and landlocked countries; and
(c) Institutional development and capacity building
Article 32A. Climate Change
The Parties acknowledge that climate change is a serious global environmen- tal challenge and a threat to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals requiring adequate, predictable and timely financial support. For these reasons, and in accordance with the provisions of Article 32, and particularly of point (a) of paragraph 2 thereof, cooperation shall:
(a) recognise the vulnerability of ACP States and in particular of small is- lands and low-lying ACP States to climate-related phenomena such as coastal erosion, cyclones, flooding and environmentally induced dis- placements, and in particular of least developed and landlocked ACP States to increasing floods, drought, deforestation and desertification;
(b) strengthen and support policies and programmes to mitigate and adapt to the consequences of, and threat posed by, climate change including through institutional development and capacity building;
(c) enhance the capacity of ACP States in the development of, and the par- ticipation in, the global carbon market; and
(d) focus on the following activities:
(i) integrating climate change into development strategies and poverty reduction efforts;
(ii) raising the political profile of climate change in development cooperation, including through appropriate policy dialogue;
(iii) assisting ACP states to adapt to climate change in relevant sectors such as agriculture, water management and infrastructure, including through transfer and adoption of relevant and environmentally sound technologies;
(iv) promoting disaster risk reduction, reflecting that an increasing proportion of disasters are related to climate change;
(v) providing financial and technical support for mitigation action of ACP states in line with their poverty reduction and sustainable development objectives, including reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and reducing emissions in the agricultural sector;
(vi) improving weather and climate information and forecasting and early warning systems; and
(vii) promoting renewable energy sources, and low-carbon technologies that enhance sustainable development.
(vii) promoting renewable energy sources, and low-carbon technologies that enhance sustainable development.
Article 33. Institutional Development and Capacity Building
1. Cooperation shall pay systematic attention to institutional aspects and in this context, shall support the efforts of the ACP States to develop and strengthen structures, institutions and procedures that help to:
(a) promote and sustain democracy, human dignity, social justice and pluralism, with full respect for diversity within and among societies;
(b) promote and sustain universal and full respect for and observance and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms;
(c) develop and strengthen the rule of law; and improve access to justice, while guaranteeing the professionalism and independence of the judicial systems; and
(d) ensure transparent and accountable governance and administration in all public institutions.