The three general objectives, as defined in the Community bylaws, are: political and diplomatic coordination among its members; economic, social, cultural, legal, technical and scientific cooperation; and promotion and diffusion of the Portuguese language.This partnership has a direct impact on 4 SIDS countries: Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome e Pri­ncipe and Timor-Leste

The main initiatives of CPLP, in recent years, have been: - the reform of the International Portuguese Language Institute (IILP), Praia, Cape Verde, which has become an institution of the Community;- CPLP´s HIV-Aids Program, designed to help the 5 African member states;- Centre for the Development of Entrepreneurial Skills, Luanda, Angola;- Centre for the Development of Public Administration, Maputo, Mozambique;- Conference on Malaria;- Electoral Mission to African member states;- Emergency Project for the Support of Institution Rebuilding in Guinea-Bissau;- Capacity building in the preparation, analysis, and monitoring of development projects and programmes in the five African member states and Timor-Leste.

The Community's work also encompasses traditional development activities, such as capacity building, and technical projects in specific areas, such as health, education, and public administration.

MoU signed in 2007 between the EC and CPLP.

Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guiné Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé e Pí­ncipe, Timor-Leste