At a glance: a special plenary session commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day; Parliament President Roberta Metsola attends ceremony marking 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz; and a debate on healthy ageing and the urgent need to address health workforce shortages across Europe.

News in Brief – 28/01/2025 - English

Jeanne Salomon fled the Nazis, lost her husband and child, endured Auschwitz, survived the death marches and made a new life for herself in Luxembourg. Her son Henri Juda tells the story of his mother, an extraordinary and courageous woman.

The woman who miraculously survived Auschwitz: the heartbreaking story of Jeanne Salomon

At a glance: the Subcommittee on Human Rights will discuss truth, justice and accountability in Syria with victims and international experts; MEPs will assess Syria’s humanitarian crisis and explore ways to improve aid delivery; the European Parliament condemned Maduro’s regime and called for expanded sanctions against Venezuela.

News in Brief – 27/01/2025 - English

At a glance: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk outlines the priorities of Poland’s presidency of the Council of the EU, focusing on unity and security; Parliament condemns Russian disinformation and calls for tougher sanctions on propaganda outlets; and MEPs denounce the Belarusian presidential election as a sham and demand stronger sanctions.

News in Brief – 24/01/2025 - English

What is the European Ombudsman’s role? In what situations should you contact the Ombudsman and what relationship does the Ombudsman have with the European Parliament? The European Ombudsman is an independent and impartial body which helps people, businesses and organisations facing problems with the EU’s administration. It plays a key role in making sure that the EU is running smoothly.

The role of the European Ombudsman

At a glance: MEPs reviewed the outcomes of the last European Council with its President, António Costa, and discussed sustainable development goals; Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk outlines the priorities of Poland’s presidency of the Council of the EU under its motto, ‘Security, Europe!’; the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee debates climate and agricultural policies with Polish environment minister, Hennig-Kloska

News in Brief – 23/01/2025 - English

At a glance: during the plenary session, President Metsola welcomed Gaza ceasefire; MEPs debated use of the Digital Services Act to combat foreign interference and protect democracy; Parliament will vote on a resolution condemning Russian disinformation against Ukraine.

News in Brief – 22/01/2025 - English

At a glance: during the plenary session, Polish Prime Minister Tusk will present the ‘Security, Europe!’ programme as Parliament debates the priorities of Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union; MEPs will assess the outcomes of the meeting of the European Council in December, focusing on Ukraine, the Middle East and the EU’s strategic response; Parliament will address the global plastic pollution crisis following the collapse of UN treaty negotiations.

News in Brief – 21/01/2025 - English

At a glance: enforcing digital rules to protect democracy; MEPs debate Donald Trump’s second term and EU-US ties; and Bruno Gencarelli selected as top candidate for European Data Protection Supervisor role.

News in Brief – 20/01/2025 - English

At a glance: Parliament President Roberta Metsola welcomes ceasefire in Gaza as a turning point; the EU moves towards a greener future with circular economy measures; and the European capitals of excellence for 2025.

News in Brief – 17/01/2025 - English

At a glance: Commissioner Marta Kos discusses EU enlargement with MEPs; Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee reviews Europol report on terrorism threats; applications are open for 2025 Charlemagne Youth Prize.

News in Brief – 16/01/2025 - English

At a glance: MEPs prepare for plenary debate on Polish presidency of the Council of the EU and Middle East Strategy; in Strasbourg, Parliament will also focus on migrant smuggling and Russia’s disinformation; the Committee on International Trade will discuss EU-Mercosur deal with Commissioner Šefčovič.

News in Brief – 15/01/2025 - English

At a glance: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and EU leaders unite to tackle security challenges; President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola met the Austrian Chancellor and the NATO Secretary General; the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development discussed the 2026 budget, wine policy and forest monitoring.

News in Brief – 14/01/2025 - English

At a glance: the latest Eurobarometer survey shows growing support for the EU’s common agricultural policy; a public hearing explores how tax policies affect gender equality; the new Commissioner for Enlargement is set to address MEPs.

News in Brief – 13/01/2025 - English

At a glance: NATO chief Mark Rutte meets Parliament committees to discuss NATO-EU cooperation, Ukraine and global security threats; Parliament President Metsola in Egypt for regional dialogue; EU aims for climate neutrality by 2050.

News in Brief – 10/01/2025 - English

At a glance: Poland takes over EU Council Presidency; Germany’s Chemnitz and Slovenia’s Nova Gorica celebrate European cultural heritage and diversity as Capitals of Culture; 30 years of EU membership for Austria, Finland and Sweden.

News in Brief – 09/01/2025 - English

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on 10 July 2019, following the appointment of their members in the plenary sitting of 3-4 July. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate. The newly set up committees will then start holding their regular meetings during the week of 22 July.

REGI - Committee on Regional Development

PECH - Committee on Fisheries

LIBE - Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

The presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every six months. During this six-month period, the presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU's work in the Council.

The Polish government has declared that its second EU Presidency arrives "at a time of uncertainty and concern," highlighting the ongoing repercussions of Russia’s three-year war against Ukraine, escalating geopolitical tensions, migration pressure, and weakening European competitiveness. Under the slogan "Security, Europe!" Poland aims to strengthen European security across multiple dimensions, including external, internal, informational, economic, energy, food, health and security.

Polish Presidency

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on the week from 27th to 31st january 2025. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate.

SEDE - Committee on Security and Defence

The EU and NATO have founded their long-standing partnership, in an environment shaped by common principles and values. The European Parliament and NATO engage frequently in active dialogue in order to deepen mutual understanding and consolidate cooperation. In an increasingly volatile and unstable geopolitical context, the dynamic of cooperation has intensified to face new threats ranging from terrorism to climate change to hybrid warfare.&nbsp;

EU - NATO relations

The Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) have two main goals: to create a safer digital space in which the fundamental rights of all users of digital services are protected and to establish a level playing field to foster innovation, growth, and competitiveness, both in the European Single Market and globally.

The&nbsp;Digital Services Act (DSA)&nbsp;aims to create a safer digital space in which users rights are protected, including rules to tackle illegal content online, enhance the accountability and transparency of algorithms, and dealing with content moderation and targeted advertising.

Digital Markets Act&nbsp; (DMA) sets rules on what big online platforms will be allowed to do and not do in the EU. It&nbsp;blacklists certain practices of large platforms acting as “gatekeepers” and enables the Commission to carry out market investigations and sanction non-compliant behaviour.

Digital Services and Digital Markets Act

MEPs elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) on January 2022 as President of the European Parliament until 2024.

Roberta Metsola won the election in the first voting round, where she received an absolute majority of 458 votes out of 690 cast in the remote secret vote, among three candidates.&nbsp;

President Metsola is leading the Parliament in the second half of the current legislative term, until a new Parliament is constituted following the 2024 European Elections.

Born in Malta in 1979,&nbsp; Roberta Metsola who has been an MEP since 2013, is the youngest EP President ever elected. She became First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January 2022.

She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999- 2002).

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 2022-2024

In July 2024&nbsp; MEPs re-elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) as President of the European Parliament until 2027, with 562 votes in the first round. Roberta Metsola won the election in the first round of voting, where she received an absolute majority of 562 votes cast out of 699 by secret paper ballot, among two candidates. She will continue to lead Parliament for the first two and a half years of the 10th legislative term.

Born in Malta in 1979, Roberta Metsola has been an MEP since 2013.&nbsp;She was elected First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January 2022. On 18 January 2022,&nbsp;she was elected President&nbsp;for the second half of the 9th legislative term. She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after&nbsp;Simone Veil&nbsp;(1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999-2002).

Addressing the House after she was elected, President Metsola said: “Together, we must stand up for the politics of hope, for the dream that is Europe. I want people to recapture a sense of belief and enthusiasm for our project. A belief to make our shared space safer, fairer, more just and more equal. A belief that together we are stronger and we are better. A belief that ours is a Europe for all.”

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 2024-2027

The&nbsp;International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust&nbsp;on 27 January was established by the United Nations in 2005 to commemorate the Holocaust and the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

Holocaust remembrance day

David McAllister (EPP, DE) will continue as the Chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee for the coming two and a half years. He was re-elected by acclamation on Wednesday, 10 July. During its constituent meeting, the Committee also elected Witold Waszczykowski (ECR, PL) as the Committee’s First Vice-Chair. The remaining three Vice-Chairs will be elected at a future meeting. Together, the Chair and Vice-Chairs will form the Bureau of the Committee.

AFET - Committee on Foreign Affairs

Marie Arena will serve as Chair of Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) for the coming two and a half years. She was elected by acclamation by Subcommittee members on Wednesday. “I would like to express my thanks to all of you for your trust in electing me as Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights”, Ms Arena said after the vote.

MEPs also elected the four Vice-Chairs that will form, together with Marie Arena, the Subcommittee's bureau:

Ms <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197625/IRINA_VON+WIESE/home" target="_blank">Irina Von Wiese</a> (Renew Europe, UK) will be first Vice-Chair,

Ms <a href="http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197464/HANNAH_NEUMANN/home" target="_blank">Hannah Neumann</a> (Greens/EFA, DE) will be second Vice-Chair,

Ms <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197643/KAROLINE_EDTSTADLER/home" target="_blank">Karoline Edtstadler</a> (EPP, AT) will be third Vice-Chair, and

Mr <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197694/RAPHAEL_GLUCKSMANN/home" target="_blank">Raphaël Glucksmann</a> (S&amp;D, FR) will be fourth Vice-Chair.

DROI Subcommittee on Human Rights

The EU and Latin America and the Caribbean have enjoyed privileged relations since the first bi-regional Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 1999, which established a strategic partnership. They are natural partners linked by strong historical, cultural and economic ties. The EU is the leading investor in the region and its third external trade partner.

EU - Latin America

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on the week from 27th to 31st january 2025. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate.

ENVI - Committee on Environment, Climate and Food Safety

The progress of&nbsp;digital transformation&nbsp;has inevitably led to new cybersecurity threats.&nbsp;Also the COVID19 crisis has again exposed the cyber vulnerabilities of some critical sectors, in particular healthcare, while teleworking and social distance has increased our dependency on digital technologies and connectivity.

As&nbsp; a consequence, in December 2020 the European Commission launched a new EU Cybersecurity Strategy&nbsp;to make physical and digital critical entities more resilient.

The European Parliament and the Coucil reached a deal on&nbsp;May 2022 on the new rules to&nbsp;strengthen EU-wide resilience

The agreed text&nbsp;sets tighter cybersecurity obligations in terms of risk management, reporting obligations and information sharing. The requirements include incident response, supply chain security, encryption and vulnerability disclosure, among other provisions.

Cybersecurity

Since its creation in 1993, the single market has helped to make everyday life easier for people and businesses, fuelling jobs and growth across the EU. In 2023, the EU commemorated&nbsp;the 30th anniversary since its creation.&nbsp;

Three decades since its creation,&nbsp;&nbsp;MEPs called for renewed commitment and political will from member states and EU institutions, as well as a specific action plan for 2030 and beyond, in order to further strengthen and develop the single market, especially in areas such as services, energy, telecommunications and the digital single market.

The single market is generally considered to be the cornerstone of the EU economy and one of the greatest achievements of the European Union. Comprising nearly 450 million people and 20 million enterprises, it constitutes the largest integrated market in the world, worth €14 trillion in 2018.

The free movement of persons, goods, services and capital is the pillar on which the single market is built. The cross-border movement of the first three has been severely affected by the pandemic of Covid-19. Soon after its outbreak, the majority of Member States reintroduced internal border controls on grounds of an immediate threat to public health. These have been accompanied by restrictions or bans on international passenger transport and bans on entry and exit.&nbsp;

Single market

EP President Metsola inaugurates the Europa Experience in Luxembourg

The European Parliament commemorates Holocaust Remembrance Day to honor the victims and reflect on the lessons of the past. Established in 1995, this annual event coincides with the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on 27 January 1945.

This year, the Parliament highlights the story of Hungarian-born cellist Pál Hermann, who was murdered in the Holocaust. His Gagliano cello, saved from the Nazis and rediscovered decades later, symbolizes resilience and the enduring power of art. The ceremony includes a speech by Hermann’s daughter, Corrie Hermann, and a performance of his music by cellist Sam Lucas.

Through remembrance and education, the European Parliament reaffirms its commitment to fighting anti-Semitism, promoting tolerance, and ensuring such atrocities are never repeated.

Solemn Ceremony on the International Holocaust Commemoration Day 2025

EP President Roberta Metsola receives His Majesty King Abdulla II of Jordan

The UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Volker Türk comes to the EU Parliament for the first time in this legislature. In an exchange of views with AFET - DROI MEPs in committee meeting, they discuss news topics in the field of geopolitics and human rights, before the adoption of the annual report on Human rights by the EP in plenary session, tentatively in March 2025.

AFET/DROI- Debate with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk

MEPs discuss the programme of Poland’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

The Polish government has stated that its second EU Presidency comes “at a time of uncertainty and concern” with regard to the consequences of Russia’s three-year-long war against Ukraine, rising geopolitical tensions, migration pressure and declining European competitiveness. The presidency’s slogan "Security, Europe!" expresses Poland’s objective to strengthen European security in all dimensions: external, internal, information, economic, energy, food and health.

Debate on the priorities of the Polish Presidency

EP President Roberta Metsola meets with Polish PM,  Donald Tusk at the European Parliament in Strasbourg

EP President Roberta Metsola meets with Polish Prime Minister,  Donald Tusk

MEPs assess the results of the 19 December EU summit with European Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

In their gathering in Brussels, EU Heads of State or Government reviewed the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s support to Kyiv, alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The European Council also assessed the situation in the Middle East, including Lebanon, Gaza and Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime.

In her address to the European Council, EP President Roberta Metsola called on leaders to step up their efforts to assert Europe’s place on the world stage, stressing that Europe has a role to play in Ukraine, in our European neighbourhood, in the Middle East, in Latin America and around the world.

Other topics on the agenda of the leaders included the EU’s geopolitical role, crisis prevention and response, and migration management. The December European Council was the first chaired by President António Costa. The debate on Wednesday will be his first with MEPs since he took office.

Debate on the conclusions of December European Council

The day after Donald Trump’s inauguration on  20 January, MEPs discuss the implications of his second term for transatlantic relations, with representatives from the Polish Council Presidency and the Commission . The debate is expected to focus on support for Ukraine, relations with Russia, China, the Middle East, climate change, and trade. MEPs are also expected to bring up  security issues, in light of Donald Trump’s repeated demands that Europe spend more on defence. Speaking in the Committee on Foreign Affairs recently, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned MEPs that “NATO’s current two percent defence spending target is not nearly enough (...) to stay safe.”

Debate on the geopolitical and economic implications under Trump administration

MEPs discuss the need to enforce the Digital Services Act (DSA) to safeguard democracy from foreign interference and algorithmic manipulation. 
The debate with Council and Commission representatives will focus on the compliance of major social media companies with the DSA, which sets clear obligations for digital service providers to tackle the spread of illegal content, online disinformation, and other societal risks. 
MEPs are expected to express concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability of platforms’ recommender systems and their failure to tackle risks, like disinformation and foreign interference. This follows a plenary debate on 17 December 2024, which addressed the issue of online disinformation in European elections. During that discussion, many MEPs urged the Commission to actively enforce the DSA and impose sanctions on platforms that violate EU rules.  
MEPs are also likely to bring up the future of the transatlantic partnership on technology, particularly in the context of the inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump on 20 January, Elon Musk’s involvement in the US government and Meta’s recent decision to end its fact-checking programme. 
Background 
While the DSA does not regulate personal views or opinions, it introduces measures to tackle illegal content - such as terrorist material and child sexual abuse - in full compliance with the principles of freedom of expression and information. The legislation ensures users have a right to challenge unlawful or arbitrary content moderation decisions by online platforms. At the same time, online platforms are required to be more transparent about their operations, including about their “recommender systems”.

Debate on the need to enforce DSA to protect democracy

Parliament will hold a press briefing on the plenary session, which starts at 17.00

Last-minute briefing

The EP’s Press Service holds a press briefing with the Parliament’s political group spokespersons at 11.00 on Friday

Pre-session briefing

EP President Roberta Metsola, meets the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mustafa

EP President meets with Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mustafa

The Committee on International Trade meets with Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič to discuss the trade aspects of the EU-Mercosur deal on which a political agreement was reached on 6 December 2024.

INTA- Debate with Maros SEFCOVIC, Commissioner for EU-Mercorsur Agreement

MEPs in the Foreign Affairs Committee meet Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. The discussion is expected to focus on the state of play and the progress made by the ten enlargement countries.

AFET debate with Marta KOS, Commissioner  for Enlargement

The Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Subcommittee on Security and Defence and the Delegation for Relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meets NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for the first time. In the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the incoming US administration, the topics to be discussed will likely include efforts to strengthen NATO defence and deterrence as well as the delivery of military assistance to Ukraine. MEPs are also set to inquire about other regional and global security threats that require close cooperation between the EU and NATO.

AFET/SEDE- Debate with Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of NATO

President meets with Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of NATO

EP President meets with Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of NATO

EP President, Roberta METSOLA, meets with the Chancellor of Austria, Alexander SCHALLENBERG.

EP President, meets with Alexander SCHALLENBERG, Austrian Chancellor

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola meets with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as well as with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.

Discussions are likely to focus on the EU-Egypt Strategic and Comprehensive partnership, EU macro-financial assistance, human rights and the geopolitical situation in the region, including the need to reinvigorate the Middle East Peace Process and the situation in Gaza, as well as recent developments in Syria.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Official visit to Cairo (Egypt)

Georges WOHLFART (2L) during a Meeting of the European Communities Commission, in Luxembourg, February 21, 1968

Meeting of the European Communities Commission, in Luxembourg, February 21, 1968

Rene BLONDELLE during a meeting of the European Communities Commission, in Luxembourg, February 21, 1968

Francois MITTERAND during a session in Strasbourg, France, January 23, 1968.

Alain POHER, President of the European Parliament,  during a session in Strasbourg, France, January 23, 1968.

A session in Strasbourg, France, January 23, 1968.

MEPs attend a plenary session in the hemicycle of the EP in Strasbourg

Members of the Parliament attend a plenary session in the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, in 1968

General views from the hemicycle in Strasbourg 1967-70

Speech of Alain POHER in the hemicycle in 1968

Alain POHER in the 1950s

Sicco Laender MANSHOLT as the European Commissioner for Agriculture from 1958 to 1972 poses in the fields. He was one of the architects of the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union.

Sicco Laender MANSHOLT - EC's Agriculture Commissionner in 1968

The European Parliamentary Assembly building in Strasbourg in 1968 - The Maison de l'Europe hold the sessions of the ECSC from 1952 to 1957 and the European Parliament for, 1958 to 1977, also was the seat of the Council of Europe from 1950 to 1977

EP building in Strasbourg. Maison de l'Europe

Speech of Ils ELSNER in the hemicycle in January 1968

Strasbourg session in January 1968

The European elections are the largest transnational elections in the world. There are some common rules that apply in all EU countries but many details vary by country.


Election days range from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June and it is up to each country to decide when and how they organise the vote.


The number of MEPs elected varies between countries: bigger countries get more seats than smaller ones. Due to changes in the size of the population, some EU countries will get extra seats in the upcoming elections compared to the outgoing Parliament. In total 15 seats will be added.


There are also differences in other aspects of voting, for example regarding the minimum voting age or the rules about voting from abroad.

EU Elections 2024

The European elections are the largest transnational elections in the world. There are some common rules that apply in all EU countries but many details vary by country.


Election days range from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June and it is up to each country to decide when and how they organise the vote.

Map European elections 2024

Online shopping, take-away food, coffee to go... Packaging waste is growing. Find out how much is being produced and how the EU wants to reverse the trend

How to reduce packaging waste in the EU

With war having returned to the European continent, measuring the level of threats to peace, security and democracy around the world – as the 'Normandy Index' does – is more important than ever. The annual Index was presented for the first time at the Normandy Peace Forum in June 2019, as a result of a partnership between the European Parliament and the Region of Normandy. The Index has been designed and prepared by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), in conjunction with and on the basis of data provided by the Institute for Economics and Peace. This paper sets out the findings of the 2023 exercise, which draws on data compiled in 2022, and explains how the Index can be used to compare peace – defined on the basis of a given country's performance against a range of predetermined threats – across countries and regions. It is complemented by 61 individual country case studies, derived from the Index. The paper forms part of the EPRS contribution to the 2023 Normandy World Peace Foru

Mapping threats to peace and democracy worldwide: Normandy Index 2023

Discover key figures about the repatriation of migrants and proposed changes to EU law.
The EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum includes new rules and the revision of existing legislation, such as the Return Directive.
In a draft resolution on the Return Directive adopted in December 2020, MEPs stressed the importance of protecting individual fundamental rights as well as respect for procedural safeguards.

Repatriation: how many migrants in the EU are sent back?

Over the past 30 years the single market has brought unity and opportunities to Europeans.

30 years of EU single market: benefits and challenges

Find out about the top cyber threats in 2022, the most affected sectors and the impact of the war in Ukraine.

The digital transformation has inevitably led to new cybersecurity threats. During the coronavirus pandemic, companies had to adapt to remote working and this created more possibilities for cybercriminals. The war in Ukraine has also affected cybersecurity.

In response to the evolution of cybersecurity threats, Parliament adopted a new EU directive introducing harmonised measures across the EU, including on the protection of essential sectors.

Cybersecurity: main and emerging threats

With fast fashion, the quantity of clothes produced and thrown away has boomed. Find out more about the environmental impact and what the EU is doing about it.

Fast fashion is the constant provision of new styles at very low prices.

To tackle the impact on the environment, the EU wants to reduce textile waste and increase the life cycle and recycling of textiles. This is part of the plan to achieve a circular economy by 2050.

The impact of textile production and waste on the environment

Find out about the economic inequalities that continue to persist between women and men in the EU.

It has been more than 25 years since the adoption of the UN’s Beijing Declaration, which aims to promote equality between men and women. The same goal lies behind the creation of UN Women - dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women - and the inclusion of gender equality in the Sustainable Development Goals.
s
So where do we stand? Progress has been made, but inequality between men and women persists, including on the labour market. On average, women in the EU are paid less than men.

Gender pay gap in Europe: facts and figures

Every year 2.2 billion tonnes of waste are generated in the EU. More than a quarter of it (27%) is municipal waste: everyday waste collected and treated by municipalities, which is mainly generated by households. Data shows that the amount of waste and the way it is managed varies a lot across EU countries, but there has been a shift to more recycling and less landfilling.

To reduce waste and its impact on the environment, the EU has adopted ambitious targets on recycling and landfill and is working on packaging waste. The goal is to promote the shift towards a more sustainable model known as the circular economy.

Waste management in the EU: infographic with facts and figures

Euroscola

European Parliamentary Week 2025 - Plenary session II

European Parliamentary Week 2025 - Plenary session I

Panel for the Future of Science and Technology

Delegation for relations with the countries of Central America, including the EU-Central America Association Parliamentary Committee

DCAM

Press point by newly elected Chair of the EP Special Committee on Housing Crisis in the EU (HOUS)

Special Committee Constitutive Meeting on the Housing Crisis in the European Union

Committee on Legal Affairs

JURI

Committee on Foreign Affairs

AFET

REGI - Exchange of views with Sharon Dijksma, Mayor of Utrecht, on the Eurocities policy statement – A Strong Cohesion Policy Promoting Urban Transformation

REGI - Exchange of views with Nadim Ahmad, OECD, on the main territorial impacts of the global challenges and available instruments for national authorities and regions to address them

PECH - Presentation of the Priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council

Joint meeting - Heads of EC Representations and Heads of EP Liaison Offices

FEMM - Public hearing ' Social Media and the consequences on young girls mental health '

LIBE - Exchange of views on the need to establish the profession of police officers as a high risk profession

SEDE -  Exchange of views with James Appathurai, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid, and Cyber on the Baltic Sentry and hybrid threats

REGI - Exchange of views with Executive Vice-President Raffaelle Fitto on the future of cohesion policy

DLAT - Implementation of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda in the aera of digital transition in Latin America and the Digital Alliance

80th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz

REGI - A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world

SEDE - Presentation of the Priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council

SEDE - Constitutive meeting

ENVI - public hearing on ' The way to a European Water Resilience Strategy - An EU Blue Deal '

DROI Committee - Exchange of views with Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Holocaust Remembrance day: European Parliament buildings in Brussels display the banner #WeRemember

Younous Omarjee, EP Vice- President meets with Hon. Amason Kingi, Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Kenya

The banner #WeRemember is displayed on Brussels' European Parliament buildings on the occasion of the Holocaust Remebrance day.

Holocaust Remembrance day: Station Europe building in Brussels displaying the banner #WeRemember

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Antonio COSTA, President of the European Council and Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission participate in the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz. Until the liberation of some 7 thousand prisoners remaining at the site of the camp by soldiers of the Red Army, the German Nazis murdered approx. 1.1 million people in Auschwitz. About 50 people who survived the camp participate in the anniversary event with Heads of States and Governments or dignitaries from 54 countries. Courtesy of Telewizja Polska S.A. - license granted from 27.01.2025 to 26.01.2031.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates to the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of German Nazi Concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz / Holocaust Remembrance Day

The UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Volker Türk comes to the EU Parliament for the first time in this legislature. In an exchange of views with the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) jointly with the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), they discuss news topics in the field of geopolitics and human rights, before the adoption of the annual report on Human rights by the EP in plenary session, tentatively in March 2025.

Exchange of views with Volker TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: extracts from the meeting and statement by Volker TÜRK, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

This news item shows various elements, including cutaways of antennas and security cameras, illustration of a cybercriminal in action and a server under cyber attack. It also features the Ubitech co-founders highlighting key innovations like a quantum computer model, an AI server, and the MAI.gov government platform for providing online services to citizens. The video further includes illustrations of devices such as smartwatches, smart lights, and security cameras, as well as shots of the European Union agency ENISA's headquarters, dedicated to strengthening cybersecurity, and scenes from the European Cyber Security Challenge competition in Turin.

Infoclip: EU Cybersecurity

Motion for resolution - Case of Jean-Jacques Wondo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Motion for resolution - Systematic repression of human rights in Iran, notably the cases of Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi, and the taking of EU citizens as hostages Motion for resolution - Case of Boualem Sansal in Algeria Motions for resolution - Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine (Debate: 17/12/2024) Motions for resolution - Situation in Venezuela following the usurpation of the presidency on 10 January 2025

Voting session

MEPs discuss the need for global standards in the field of cryptocurrencies.

Cryptocurrencies - need for global standards: MEPs debate

MEPs discuss the need for global standards in the field of cryptocurrencies. Opening statement by Magnus BRUNNER, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Cryptocurrencies - need for global standards: Opening statements

MEPs discuss the need for global standards in the field of cryptocurrencies. Closing statement by Magnus BRUNNER, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Cryptocurrencies - need for global standards: Closing statements

This infoclip illustrates teaching, training and learning new skills in Europe

Infoclip: Teaching, training and learning new skills in Europe

Energy efficiency helps reduce overall energy consumption and is therefore central to achieving the EU’s climate ambition, while enhancing present and future energy security and affordability. Buildings are the single largest energy consumer in Europe. The building sector is therefore crucial to achieving the EU's energy and climate goals.This stockshot shows energy efficiency of public buildings in Zagreb, Croatia. The footage was shot on 23-26 September 2024.

Infoclip: Energy efficiency of buildings

Voting session on the need for actions on the continued oppression and fake elections in Belarus.

The need for actions on the continued oppression and fake elections in Belarus: Voting session

MEPs discuss the programme of Poland’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Polish government has stated that its second EU Presidency comes “at a time of uncertainty and concern” with regard to the consequences of Russia’s three-year-long war against Ukraine, rising geopolitical tensions, migration pressure and declining European competitiveness. The presidency’s slogan "Security, Europe!" expresses Poland’s objective to strengthen European security in all dimensions: external, internal, information, economic, energy, food and health. Closing statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, and Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Polish Presidency: Closing statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, and Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister

MEPs discuss the programme of Poland’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Polish government has stated that its second EU Presidency comes “at a time of uncertainty and concern” with regard to the consequences of Russia’s three-year-long war against Ukraine, rising geopolitical tensions, migration pressure and declining European competitiveness. The presidency’s slogan "Security, Europe!" expresses Poland’s objective to strengthen European security in all dimensions: external, internal, information, economic, energy, food and health. MEps debate.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Polish Presidency: MEPs debate

MEPs discuss the programme of Poland’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Polish government has stated that its second EU Presidency comes “at a time of uncertainty and concern” with regard to the consequences of Russia’s three-year-long war against Ukraine, rising geopolitical tensions, migration pressure and declining European competitiveness. The presidency’s slogan "Security, Europe!" expresses Poland’s objective to strengthen European security in all dimensions: external, internal, information, economic, energy, food and health. One round of political group speakers.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Polish Presidency: one round of political group speakers

MEPs discuss the programme of Poland’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Polish government has stated that its second EU Presidency comes “at a time of uncertainty and concern” with regard to the consequences of Russia’s three-year-long war against Ukraine, rising geopolitical tensions, migration pressure and declining European competitiveness. The presidency’s slogan "Security, Europe!" expresses Poland’s objective to strengthen European security in all dimensions: external, internal, information, economic, energy, food and health. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Polish Presidency: opening statement by Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister and by Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean

This news item focuses on the plenary debate around the programme of Poland's Council Presidency, which began on 1st January. This debate follows up on the presentation of the priorities delivered by the Polish Prime Minister, Donald TUSK. The Polish government has stated that its second EU Presidency comes “at a time of uncertainty and concern” with regard to the consequences of Russia’s three-year-long war against Ukraine, rising geopolitical tensions, migration pressure and declining European competitiveness. Poland’s objective is to strengthen European security in all dimensions, including protection of both external and internal borders, economy, energy, food and health. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Polish Presidency with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister: arrival, meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extracts from the debate

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Polish Presidency: Opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

MEPs review the outcome of the 19 December European Council meeting with Presidents António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen. The latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East are among the expected topics of discussion. Closing statements by Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, and António COSTA, President of the European Council.

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024: Closing statements by Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, and António COSTA, President of the European Council

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