Baroness Kinnock was appointed Europe Minister in June 2009. She was an MEP for Wales between 1994-2009 and a party spokesperson in the European Parliament on International Development. 

On 12 October 2009, Baroness Kinnock was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for Africa, the Caribbean, Central America and United Nations.

She has long been a campaigner on issues relating to Africa and the Caribbean and cemented her reputation as an expert on the regions during her time as MEP and co-president of Africa, Caribbean and pacific-European Joint Parliamentary Assembly. 

Baroness Kinnock founded and is President of One World Action, a Development NGO. She has also written widely on international issues, in particular on Africa.