October 8, 2021

The following is a press release:

Also on #CoRplenary agenda: Slovenian Prime Minister Janša debates with local leaders; EU Commissioners Sinkevičius and Lenarčič discuss efforts to foster green recovery and improve resilience; Vice-President Šuica exchanges views on the Conference on the future of Europe.

On 12 October the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Apostolos Tzitzikostas (EL/EPP), will present the 2021 Regional and Local Barometer to local leaders and the European Commissioner Vice-President, Maroš Šefčovič. The comprehensive report measures the impact of the pandemic on EU's regions, cities and villages, providing key findings, facts and figures on the economic, social, health and digital consequences. WATCH LIVE

As the EU steps up recovery efforts, Prime Minister Janez Janša of Slovenia will take stock of the work being done by the Slovenian presidency of the Council of the European Union. In the context of the UN's COP15 and COP26 international talks, European Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius and Minna Arve, Mayor of Turku and ICLEI's Vice-President, will discuss efforts to protect biodiversity, tackle the climate emergency and foster a green recovery.

On 13 October, International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, EU Commissioner Janez Lenarčič and, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mami Mizutori, will listen to the impact of recent disasters on regions and cities, and discuss how to strengthen local resilience.

On 14 October CoR members will also exchange views with Vice-President Dubravka Šuica on the Conference on the future of Europe.

The CoR plenary takes place during the European Week of Regions and Cities, co-organised by the CoR and the European Commission. #EURegionsWeek, which runs from 11 October to 14 October, is the largest annual event in the EU's calendar and this year will focus on efforts to ensure a green and digital recovery and on supporting the contribution of regions and cities to the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Follow the plenary on the CoR website

12 October: EU Regional and Local Barometer

Apostolos Tzitzikostas (EL/EPP), President of the European Committee of the Regions and Governor of Central Macedonia, will give his speech on the state of the EU's regions, cities and villages, presenting the Annual Regional and Local Barometer to Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight.

12 October: Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša

The European Committee of the Regions Plenary will welcome Janez Janša, Prime Minister of Slovenia, for a discussion on the priorities of Slovenia's six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

13 October: COP15 to COP26: raising ambition, stronger governance for our biodiversity and climate

Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, and Minna Arve, Mayor of Turku and ICLEI's Vice-President, will discuss the challenges facing governments to protect the world's biodiversity and tackle the climate emergency.

13 October: Reducing the risks posed by natural disasters

On the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, the European Committee of the Regions will welcome Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, to consider what regions and cities can do to increase resilience and reduce the impact of natural disasters.

14 October: Conference on the Future of Europe

Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President of the European Commission for Democracy and Demography, will provide the perspective of the European Commission on the Conference on the Future of Europe and exchange views with CoR Members.

KEY DEBATES:

Tuesday, 12 October, 3.00 p.m.: Debate on the Annual Regional and Local Barometer, with Apostolos Tzitzikostas (EL/EPP), President of the European Committee of the Regions and Governor of Central Macedonia, and Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight.

Wednesday, 13 October, 10.00 a.m.: Debate on the Priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with Janez Janša, Prime Minister of Slovenia.

Wednesday, 13 October, 3.00 p.m.: Debate on Raising Ambition, Stronger Governance: Leaders Together for a Glocal Green Deal, with Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and Minna Arve, Mayor of Turku and ICLEI's Vice-President.

Wednesday, 13 October, 4.00 p.m.: Debate on Natural Disasters: Responding to Emergencies and Building Resilience in Cities and Regions with Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, and Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Head of UNDRR.

Thursday, 14 October, 4.00 p.m.: Debate on the Conference on the Future of Europe with Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President of the European Commission for Democracy and Demography.

RESOLUTIONS:

On COP26.

On Annual Regional and Local Barometer.

OPINIONS FOR ADOPTION:

The EU strategy on the rights of the child and the European child guarantee. Rapporteur: Jari Andersson (FI/EPP), member of Sastamala City Council.

European Digital Identity. Rapporteur-General: Mark Weinmeister (DE/EPP), Secretary of State for European Affairs, Land of Hesse.

Effectively engaging local and regional authorities in the preparation of the Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes for the 2021-2027 period. Rapporteur: Juraj Droba (SK/ECR), President of the Bratislava Region.

A Counter-Terrorism Agenda for the EU: Anticipate, Prevent, Protect, Respond. Rapporteur: Karl Vanlouwe (BE/EA), member of the Flemish Parliament.

Protecting Industrial and Craft Geographical Indications in the European Union. Rapporteur: Martine Pinville (FR/PES), Member of the Regional Council of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Future plan for New Consumer Agenda Strengthening consumer resilience for sustainable recovery. Rapporteur: Alexia Bertrand (BE/RE), member of the Parliament of Brussels-Capital Region.

Union of equality: LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025. Rapporteur: Kate Feeney (IE/RE), member of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Practical information:

Location: Hybrid – virtual and Charlemagne building, European Commission, rue de la Loi, Brussels, Belgium.

Date: Tuesday, 12 October – Thursday, 14 October 2021.

Background material: The plenary agenda and opinions, with amendments.

Webstreaming: On the website of the CoR.

Contact:

PresseCdr@cor.europa.eu