The renewal of European Union's development policy, Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) negotiations and the participation of non-state actors in their implementation, support to farmers as a key aspect of food security strategies, and participatory democracy were the main topics discussed at the 26th meeting of ACP-EU economic and social interest groups.

The 26th meeting of ACP-EU economic and social interest groups took place from 5 to 7 July. The main goal of this three-day conference is to ensure that the views of civil society are taken into account in the implementation of the Cotonou Agreement. The conference brought together delegates from the EU and from most ACP countries and participants coming from civil society, institutions, and socio-professional organizations. They adopted a final declaration in which they agreed to give more space to civil society and non-state actors in the sustainable and inclusive development. The European Economic and Social Committee President, Staffan Nilsson highlighted that civil society must play a leading role in the implementation of the Cotonou Agreement. This objective will continue with implementation and monitoring of the Cotonou Agreement, which has had its second revision on June 2010.

In addition, within the declaration, it points out the need to put the promotion of agriculture and support to farmers' organizations in the centre of food security strategies in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries. The declaration also includes to take more account  the social dimension in the renewed EU Development policy focusing on poverty eradication, investments in agriculture-related sectors, decent jobs, social dialogue and support to non-state actors consultation. Moreover, another objective agreed is to include balanced economic, social and environmental provisions in the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and to involve civil society organizations in the democratic governance of ACP countries.