EU Agenda: Week Ahead - 7-11 October 2024
This week, the Ecofin Council is expected to approve conclusions on climate finance and on the revision of the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes; home affairs ministers aim to reach agreement on a legislative proposal to combat child sexual abuse; MEPs in plenary will hold a debate on the 7 October terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, discuss the escalating violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon, and debate the crisis in the EU's automotive industry and border controls: and it's European Week of Regions and Cities. The week's events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 7 to 11 October 2024.
Monday 7 October
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
Plenary Session of the European Parliament
Strasbourg
Middle East/Lebanon/Hamas terrorist attacks: on Monday at the opening of the session, EP President Metsola will make a statement on the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack that killed 1,200 Israelis on 7 October 2023 and triggered the war in Gaza. The session will then start with a debate on the anniversary. On Tuesday morning, MEPs will debate the escalating violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
Border controls/Schengen area/Frontex: in a debate with the Commission on Monday, MEPs will discuss the implications for the future of the Schengen area of the reintroduction of border controls by Germany. On Wednesday afternoon, MEPs will delve into the management of Europe's external borders and the role of the EU Border and Coast Guard Agency.
Gender-based violence: with high-profile trials ongoing in Italy and France on cases of women murdered and repeatedly assaulted by their partners, MEPs will discuss with the Commission the need to fight the systemic problem of gender-based violence in Europe.
Monday 7 - Thursday 10 October
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Regional policy | Urban policy
European Week of Regions and Cities
Brussels
The European Week of Regions and Cities is an annual four-day event during which cities and regions showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement European Union cohesion policy, and prove the importance of the local and regional level for good European governance.
Tuesday 8 October
Council of the EU | Conferences and summits | Economy | Tax
Economic and Financial Affairs Council
Luxembourg
The Council will discuss the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Ministers will discuss the economic and financial impact of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The Council will be expected to approve conclusions on climate finance and on the revision of the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.
Tuesday 8 - Thursday 10 October
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Security research
Disaster Research Days 2024
Vienna, Austria
DG HOME is pleased to announce a new CERIS event: Disaster Research Days 2024, with a focus on Shaping the Future of Science and Research for Disaster Risk Reduction,
The aim is to foster interaction among science and research and disaster risk reduction policies, through dialogues involving scientists, practitioners, risk managers, policymakers, and local communities. The event will showcase the latest research findings and innovative solutions aimed at enhancing societal resilience. Participants will engage in knowledge-sharing, tool development, and strategy formulation, addressing the multifaceted challenges of disaster risk reduction. It will serve as a crucial platform for fostering collaboration, strengthening partnerships, and driving forward the integrated approaches essential for effective disaster risk mitigation and management.
Tuesday 7 October
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
Plenary Session of the European Parliament
Strasbourg
October EU summit: in a debate with Council and Commission on Tuesday morning, MEPs will outline their priorities for the 17 - 18 October European Council, which is set to focus on the war in Ukraine, improving the competitiveness of the European economy, the EU's response to the latest events in the Middle East and migration management.
Georgia/Moldova/Sudan: Parliament will debate the state of Georgia's declining democracy, Russian attempts to interfere in Moldova's presidential elections and the situation in Sudan with EU foreign policy chief Borrell. Resolutions on Georgia and Moldova will be put to a vote on Wednesday.
Crisis in the EU's automotive industry: MEPs will debate the challenges faced by the automotive sector in the EU, and how to restore the competitiveness of European manufacturers. A resolution will be put to a vote at a later session.
Affordable housing: MEPs will discuss with the Commission how to encourage public and private investment in decent and affordable housing in Europe.
Wednesday 9 - Thursday 10 October
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Youth
Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event
Brussels
Hosted by the European Commission, the Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event will highlight the transformational impact of the EU youth agenda, celebrate achievements and new partnerships and connect youth champion networks.
Preceded by the Summit of the Future and celebrating the 2nd anniversary of the YAP adoption, the Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event aims to consolidate the foundations of the youth agenda in EU external action by connecting youth networks and showcasing the political potential of partnering with youth. The forum will mark an important milestone for the EU and its partners' Youth Agenda, underlining the importance of youth as a catalytic investment for the future.
Wednesday 9 October
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
Plenary Session of the European Parliament
Strasbourg
Viktor Orban-Hungary's EU Council Presidency: MEPs will discuss with Prime Minister Viktor Orban the programme for Hungary's six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July 2024.
Thursday 10 - Friday 11 October
Council of the EU | Conferences and summits | Justice | Home Affairs
Justice and Home Affairs Council
Luxembourg
Ministers of home affairs will aim to reach agreement on a legislative proposal to combat child sexual abuse. They will also take stock of the overall state of the Schengen area and discuss returns of irregular migrants and rejected asylum seekers.
Ministers of justice will exchange views on the implementation of the Commission's antiracism action plan and discuss access to justice in the context of rule of law and competitiveness.
Thursday 10 October
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
Plenary Session of the European Parliament
Strasbourg
Commission hearings/timetable: the Conference of Presidents (EP President Metsola and political group leaders) is expected to decide on the detailed schedule (dates and times) for the Commissioner-designate hearings.
Friday 11 October
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Crisis management | Natural disaster | Disaster risk reduction | wildfire | Drought | Flood | Population dynamics | Emergency response
Copernicus Emergency Management Service Annual Conference
Online only
To mark Disaster Risk Reduction Day. Experts working at the European Commission and international organisations will share how the EU anticipates risks and manages crisis, focusing on recent events (e.g. floods, fires).
The narrative guiding the conference will show how early-warning and monitoring data can support a wide range of policies. This data includes information on droughts, wildfires and/or floods, along with emergency maps that detail the near real-time impact of those extreme events and others like earthquakes, cyclones, oil spills or landslides. Other data also shows the distribution of people and urban areas and plays a key role in the monitoring of Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.