DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 26 March 2025
EU Preparedness Union Strategy to prevent and react to emerging threats and crises
Today the Commission and High Representative launch the Preparedness Union Strategy to support Member States and enhance Europe's capability to prevent and respond to emerging threats.
It comes as the European Union is facing increasingly complex crises and challenges that cannot be ignored. From growing geopolitical tensions and conflicts, hybrid and cybersecurity threats, foreign information manipulation and interference, to climate change and increasing natural disasters, the EU needs to be ready to protect its citizens and the key societal functions that are crucial for democracy and daily life.
Concretely, the Strategy includes 30 key actions and a detailed Action Plan to advance the Preparedness Union's objectives, as well as developing a ‘preparedness by design culture' across all EU policies.
President Ursula von der Leyen said: “New realities require a new level of preparedness in Europe. Our citizens, our Member States, and our businesses need the right tools to act both to prevent crises and to react swiftly when a disaster hits. Families living in flood zones should know what to do when the waters rise. Early warning systems can prevent regions hit by wildfires from losing precious time. Europe stands ready to support Member States and trusted partners in the neighbourhood to save lives and livelihoods.”
Key objectives and actions of the Strategy include:
Protecting Europe's Essential Societal Functions:
Promoting Population Preparedness:
Enhancing Crisis Response Coordination:
Strengthening Civil-Military Cooperation:
Bolstering Foresight and Anticipation Capabilities:
Increasing Public-Private Cooperation:
Enhancing Cooperation with External Partners:
Overall by taking a proactive approach to preparedness, the EU aims to build a more resilient and secure continent, better equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century.
Background
The Niinistö Report on Preparedness and Readiness of the EU concluded that strengthening Europe's civilian and military preparedness and readiness to address today's growing security challenges – in health, migration, technology security, climate, defence or the economy – is a matter of urgency. The report called for a profound change of mindset, and a shift in the way we understand and prioritise preparedness across the European Union. It also recognised that preparedness is not only a national responsibility but a shared European endeavour requiring stronger role for the Union in coordinating and supporting Member States in this area.
The Strategy therefore focusses on an integrated all-hazards approach, a whole-of-government approach, which brings together all relevant actors, across all levels of government (local, regional, national, and EU) and a whole-of-society approach, bringing together citizens, local communities and civil society, businesses and social partners as well as the scientific and academic communities.
Moreover, working closely with Member States, the Union has the ability to face future crises – and can deliver substantial and effective solutions for citizens and societies. The events and risks the European Union went through in the last years, and the strong and efficient response to the COVID-19 pandemic - demonstrated how the close cooperation between the European Union and the Member States allows for better outcomes for people and societies.
For more information
Joint Communication on Preparedness Union Strategy
Annex of the Joint Communication on Preparedness Union Strategy
Questions and answers
Factsheet
Quote(s)
New realities require a new level of preparedness in Europe. Our citizens, our Member States, and our businesses need the right tools to act both to prevent crises and to react swiftly when a disaster hits. Families living in flood zones should know what to do when the waters rise. Early warning systems can prevent regions hit by wildfires from losing precious time. Europe stands ready to support Member States and trusted partners in the neighbourhood to save lives and livelihoods.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Today we face an increasing number of external security challenges and a growing number of hybrid attacks in our common European space. It is clear that Europe must be stronger on all fronts and at every level of society. It is always better to prevent crises than to deal with their consequences. Our strategy is about building a comprehensive picture of the threats we face, preparing citizens including by improving their risk-awareness, stepping up civil-military cooperation, and working more closely with external partners, including NATO. Preparedness is a whole-of-government and whole-of-society challenge – today we advocate for a collective response.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission
This Strategy is for people and societies, to help ensure that when a crisis strikes, everything works as it should, and we are ready to act swiftly and effectively. For that, we need a new preparedness mindset so that everyone knows what to do in any emergency, no matter its nature. Europe must act with agility, working closely with Member States to boost efficiency, save time and save lives. This Strategy is our insurance policy, so we are ready to care of our people when they need it most.
Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness
Preparedness must be woven into the fabric of our societies — everyone has a role to play. Today’s threats are fast, complex, and interconnected; our response must be more proactive, more integrated, and more coordinated at European level. By harnessing the energy of our institutions, businesses, and citizens, we can build resilience and ensure Europe emerges stronger from crises.
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management
CALENDAR
Calendrier du lundi 24 mars 2025 au dimanche 30 mars 2025
Monday 24 March
Mr Costas Kadis receives Mr Armands Krauze, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Latvia; receives Mr Jakob Jensen, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark; receives Ms Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister of Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forestry, the Sea and Fisheries, of France; receives Mr Timmy Dooley, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland.
Tuesday 25 March
Mr Costas Kadis delivers an opening speech for the official launch of the campaign ‘EU Aquaculture - We work for you with passion'; participates on a dialogue with stakeholders; participates on Euractiv Policy Conference; ‘European Agriculture and Fisheries at the crossroads –Paving the way for a sustainable and competitive future'; receives representatives of the High Seas Alliance; receives representatives of Blue NGOs.
Wednesday 26 March
Mr Costas Kadis in Rome, Italy: delivers a speech, via prerecorded message at the Win-BIG Mediterranean Conference and Learning Lap; receives Ms Romina Pourmokhtari, Minister for Climate and the Environment of Sweden; receives Ms Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Thursday 27 March
Mr Costas Kadis in Simrishamn, Sweden: meets with MEPs Sofie Eriksson, Karin Karlsbro, Isabella Lövin, Jessica Polfjärd, Beatrice Timgren, Emma Wiesner; meets with scientists from Stockholm University, Baltic Sea center, coastal fishermen, Swedish anglers association and Swedish Society for Nature Conservation NGOs; visits local fish processing factory, fishermen and fishing vessels, meets with landing control officers and Coast Guard.
Friday 28 March
Mr Costas Kadis in Gotland, Sweden: meets with Mr Peter Kullgren, Minister for Rural Affairs of Sweden; meets with fishermen and owners of small-scale fishing vessels; meets with Ms Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, County Governor of Gotland County; meets with Blue Food - Centre for future seafood and with the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management.
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