The South Atlantic Peace and Co-operation Zone (ZPCSA) was established in 1986 by the countries of the West African coast and those bordering the South Atlantic.  The Zone works as a catalyst for the promotion of dialogue and cooperation among the countries of the Atlantic coast of West Africa and South America. The ZPCSA was a Brazilian initiative looking at the broadening of an area for economic and commercial co-operation, for scientific and technical co-operation; and for initiatives of a political-diplomatic nature, aimed at environmental protection, denuclearisation and the settling of conflicts. It is an instrument that supplements other institutions and arrangements, and provides Member States with mechanisms to better coordinate their actions in facing common problems as to contribute to the promotion of democratic values, expansion of trade and investment, air and sea links and the intensification of South-South cooperation.

In September 1994 a Declaration on the Denuclearization of the South Atlantic was adopted at a meeting of States members of the zone held at Brasilia. The ZPCSA was an important instrument which contributed to the political approximation of Africa and South American countries with two important results: The South America-African Nations Summit in 2006 and the establishment of the India, Brazil and South Africa Forum Dialogue in 2003.