Based on Agreement No. 73, 2001, the Council of Medellin authorized the city’s Major to create an institution which would be in charge of seeking international Cooperation. Hence, the Agency for International Cooperation of Medellin was incorporate on June 19, 2002 as an association made between publically-owned entities such as the Major’s Office of Medellin, EPM, Área Metropolitana del Valle de Aburra and Empresas Varias de Medellín, in accordance with article 95 of Law 489, 1998.
As of 2004, A.C.I. gains importance in the city’s policies thanks to pillar 5 included in the Development Plan, which sets forth the parameters needed to effectively create a process to bring together the city with the region and with the world.
On March 7, 2006, A.C.I. changes its name to Agency of Cooperation and Investment of Medellin and the Metropolitan Area, as a result of the consultancy service provided by UNIDO to the city.
In 2007, A.C.I. is ISO 9001 and NTCGP1000 certified; said certifications have been ratified. Today A.C.I. projects itself as a leader of the region’s internationalizing process since it establishes and enhanced strategic international ties that benefit the city’s access to international cooperation resources, and promote and create businesses and investments for the metropolitan region.