The EU cooperation in Peru is aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), approved by the international community - including the European Union and Peru - in September 2015 to promote sustainable development and eradicate poverty. The new European Consensus on Development, "Our world, our dignity, our future" aligned with the 2030 Agenda, is the strategic framework of cooperation for the EU and its Member States.

The EU development policy addresses the five Ps that shape the SDG Agenda: people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership in an integrated manner. It integrates economic, social and environmental dimensions and highlights the links between development and other policies including peace and security, humanitarian aid, migration, environment and climate change, gender equality, investment and trade, good governance, democracy, rule of law and human rights.

The bilateral cooperation between Peru and the European Union is set out in the 2014-2020 Multiannual Indicative Program and its addendum where defines the strategic objectives of the EU in its cooperation with Peru: tackle environmental degradation and vulnerability to the effects of climate change and natural disasters, support Peru in its efforts to promote social protection policies, fight against the illicit trafficking of drugs and organized crime, improve the provision of social services at local level, diversify the economy towards sustainable and inclusive growth by promoting competitiveness, SME development, sustainable trade and decent work. 

The Government of Peru and the EU decided to focus bilateral cooperation on inclusive development sectors at the regional and local level, the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, and the promotion of sustainable economic development, trade and investment.

The EU also collaborates with Peru in crosscutting issues such as institutional strengthening, gender equality and improving public finances management. 

In addition, the EU supports public institutions and civil society projects at the national level in areas such as democracy and human rights, gender equality, environment and climate change, disaster risk reduction and humanitarian aid. 

At a regional level, EU cooperation with Latin America finances multiple programs, with the participation of Peru, such as EUROsociAL+, Euroclima+, EL PAcCTO, LAIF and Erasmus+, in the areas of social cohesion, gender equality, security and the rule of law, environmental sustainability and climate change, and higher education.