DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 29 April 2025
Statement by Commissioner Micallef on the European Day of Solidarity between Generations
Solidarity between generations is a value enshrined in the Treaties of the European Union. For the first time, this principle has been given political weight within the College of Commissioners through a dedicated portfolio on intergenerational fairness.
Tomorrow, through exchanges with young citizens, civil society organisations, elected representatives and international leaders, we are bringing the principle of intergenerational fairness into open political discussion. My role is to make sure those perspectives are not just heard, but reflected in the way that help shape EU policies that are fair for today's citizens and future-proofed for the generations yet to come.
This dialogue marks an important step as we move from identifying challenges to building solutions. This is why the Commission is preparing the first-ever EU Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness, based on broad public engagement and focused on practical, long-term action. Its objective is to strengthen solidarity between generations, improve how different age groups engage with EU policymaking, and ensure that policy decisions do not harm future generations.
Citizens' contributions will be essential to ensure that the strategy reflects real concerns and builds a fairer, more resilient Europe for the generations to come. A dedicated citizens consultation is already open on the Commission's engagement platform, and a European Citizens' Panel on intergenerational fairness will convene this autumn to provide further input. These participatory processes will help ensure that the strategy reflects real concerns and builds a fairer, more resilient Europe for the generations to come.
In parallel, the Commission has introduced the ‘youth check' — a tool to better assess the impact of major legislative proposals on younger generations.
This dialogue is essential to preparing policies that stand the test of time.
Commission offers 17 countries the possibility to purchase over 27 million influenza vaccine doses
The European Union is strengthening its preparedness for a potential flu pandemic. A new joint procurement contract, signed by the European Commission, through the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, offers 17 countries the possibility to purchase up to 27,403,200 pandemic influenza vaccine doses.
The agreement, concluded with pharmaceutical company Seqirus UK Ltd., secures supplies of Foclivia, a vaccine to protect against flu when a pandemic has been officially declared by the World Health Organization or the European Union. A flu pandemic occurs when a new type (strain) of flu virus can spread easily from person to person because people have no immunity against it. While it is difficult to predict an influenza pandemic, today's joint procurement framework contract is part of the Commission's wider work on strengthening EU-level preparedness and response to protect the health of citizens.
This joint procurement builds on a previous agreement signed with CSL Seqirus in 2019 and an agreement signed with GSK in 2022 under which participating countries can purchase vaccine doses in the event of an influenza pandemic.
The framework contract is concluded for a period of 48 months. It can be further renewed two times for 12 months each.
Background
The Commission is committed to strengthening a resilient and responsive European Health Union that is better equipped to address emerging health threats. The COVID-19 pandemic showed the importance of coordination and the added-value of a common response in face of cross-border health threats.
The EU's mechanism of joint procurement is laid down in the EU's Joint Procurement Agreement for Medical Countermeasures, which is signed by 38 countries, including all EU and EEA Member States. The mechanism allows the participating countries to jointly procure medical countermeasures on a voluntary basis. These countermeasures include vaccines, therapeutics, medical devices, and these can be used as an alternative or to complement to procurement at national level.
This purchasing mechanism enhances equitable access to medical countermeasures, improves the security of supply as well as the preparedness of the participating countries against health threats.
For more information
HERA website
EU Joint procurement
Quote(s)
While the wounds of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to heal, we must remain vigilant and prepared for future threats with pandemic potential. This joint procurement agreement, which secures access to over 27 million pandemic influenza vaccine doses, will help protect our citizens should such an emergency arise. Ensuring timely access to medical countermeasures is a key component of our Preparedness Union.
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management
Innovation to strengthen EU regions
The EU Preparatory Action ‘Innovation for place-based transformation' will support around 200 EU territories in implementing specific, transformative innovation policies. This initiative aims to enhance their competitiveness and prepare them for future challenges. Participants will include elected governments from EU Member States, as well as regions, cities, and third countries associated to Horizon Europe like Ukraine, North Macedonia, Turkey and Norway.
The action will focus on strengthening the capabilities of these territories by mobilising resources and developing solutions to address critical issues, such as transitioning to a circular economy, improving healthcare systems, adapting to climate change, and advancing digital transformation.
Building on the Joint Research Centre's support to innovation policies, the Preparatory Action aims to promote regional collaboration and drive transformation across European territories. The initiative, supported by the European Parliament, contributes to the EU's objective of driving a green and digital transition towards a fair, competitive and sustainable economy.
Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, said: “Through an innovation approach that embraces and builds upon our diversity, we can all contribute to our shared prosperity, unlock sources of creativity, and build a more resilient and sustainable Europe.”
Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, Raffaele Fitto, added: “The EU Preparatory Action equips territories to turn their strengths into drivers of innovation and transformation. By supporting place-based solutions, we can help empower regions, cities and communities to enhance their competitiveness, boost growth, and prepare for Europe's challenges of today and tomorrow.”
A high-level launch event streams live today at 16:00 CEST with contributions from Executive Vice-Presidents Ribera and Fitto, as well as representatives from the participating territories. A new nine-episode podcast series ‘Territories in ACTION: Where it all happens' is now available, featuring participating territories discussing the challenges they face and the solutions they are developing.
EU pledges over €300 million in ocean conservation efforts at Our Ocean Conference in Busan
Today, at Our Ocean Conference in Busan, in the Republic of Korea, the European Union announced €301,485,000 in EU funding to support actions in the fields of the sustainable blue economy, marine pollution, marine protected areas, digital oceans, sustainable fisheries, and ocean and climate change.
This year's conference, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will showcase the accomplishments, and best practices stemming from the voluntary commitments made by the global ocean community over the past decade. Under the umbrella of 'Digital Oceans', the conference will convene to explore the intersection of technology and ocean conservation, with a focus on the above six critical areas.
EU commitments for a safe, secure, clean, healthy and sustainably managed ocean
The European Union is committed to the following actions:
Sustainable blue economy:
Marine pollution:
Marine protected areas:
Digital ocean:
Sustainable fisheries:
Ocean and climate change:
The Our Ocean Conference is an international event, launched in 2014 and hosted by a different country each year, aiming to foster global ocean governance and action to support marine conservation and sustainable development.
The ocean and seas cover 71% of the Earth's surface. The ocean is under pressure: it suffers from global warming, unsustainable practices, illegal fishing, pollution and the loss of marine habitats.
The EU has taken many actions to protect the ocean at EU and international level. The ocean continues to be considered a key priority under the European Commission's current mandate. The Commission will soon adopt the European Ocean Pact. It will create a unified framework for ocean policies, aiming to preserve ocean health and boost the EU blue economy.
Our Ocean Conference aims to strengthen the collective efforts to address these issues. It brings together countries across the world, civil society, and industry to inspire joint solutions and present ambitious commitments to protect the ocean. Originally launched in 2014, the Our Ocean Conference has since mobilised more than 2,618 commitments worth approximately €140,256 billion.
The EU has developed a commitment tracking tool available on the Our Ocean website. This allows citizens to follow the progress of the implementation of all the commitments made at all Our Ocean Conferences.
For More Information
Commission website on international ocean governance
Commission website on actions for Clean and healthy oceans - European Commission
10th Our Ocean Conference 2025
EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Water
Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement)
Commissioner Kos in Serbia for discussions on reforms and EU accession
Today, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos is traveling to Serbia for a two-day visit focusing on EU-Serbia relations, and EU accession related reforms.
Commissioner Kos will meet with Serbian political representatives, civil society and stakeholders and pay tribute to the victims of the Novi Sad train station tragedy. The Commissioner will meet with President Aleksandar Vučić, Prime Minister Đuro Macut, Speaker of the Parliament Ana Brnabić, as well as with members of the Parliament from both the ruling coalition and opposition parties. Commissioner Kos will also meet with members of civil society and media organisations, rectors and deans of several universities and faculties in Belgrade, and leading women from various sectors.
The visit reflects the EU's continued support to Serbia's EU path, while underlining the importance of transparency, inclusiveness and respect for the rule of law and fundamental values, encouraging constructive dialogue and offering the EU's assistance.
A joint press conference with Prime Minister Macut will take place today at +/- 18:00 CEST.