European Commission Takes Steps to Address Climate Change, Strengthen International Cooperation, and Protect Cultural Heritage

Strategic Insights -

The European Commission, in collaboration with the trade ministers of Ecuador, Kenya, and New Zealand, has announced the formation of an inclusive Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate. This move reflects the shared commitment of these countries to addressing climate change through trade policy. The coalition aims to enhance ministerial-level dialogue to support the Paris climate goals, sustainable development, environmental sustainability, and a just transition. Meanwhile, the Commission has made significant progress on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, with a large majority of ministers endorsing a Declaration on a voluntary solidarity mechanism. Additionally, the Commission has launched the 2022 European Drug Report, highlighting trends and developments in drug supply and use across the EU.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Commission, in partnership with Ecuador, Kenya, and New Zealand, has established an inclusive Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate to address climate change through trade policy.
  • The coalition aims to enhance ministerial-level dialogue to support the Paris climate goals, sustainable development, environmental sustainability, and a just transition.
  • The Commission has made significant progress on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, with a large majority of ministers endorsing a Declaration on a voluntary solidarity mechanism.
  • Drug availability and use remain at high levels across the EU, with cannabis products being the most widely consumed substance.
  • The Commission has proposed new rules on asset recovery and confiscation to strengthen the capabilities of national authorities and deprive criminals of their greatest source of income.
  • The European Heritage Label Award Ceremony and the 10th Anniversary Forum celebrate the 12 winning sites selected in 2021, which have played a significant role in the history and culture of Europe.
  • The European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking has inaugurated its latest supercomputer, LUMI, which is the fastest and most energy-efficient supercomputer in Europe.
  • LUMI will feature an expected peak performance of 550 petaflops (550 million billion calculations per second) while being fully powered by renewable energy.

Statistics:

  • The coalition will comprise trade ministers from the European Union, Ecuador, Kenya, and New Zealand.
  • A large majority of ministers (95%) endorsed a Declaration on a voluntary solidarity mechanism.
  • Drug use is linked with a wide range of pressing health and social issues, such as mental health problems and self-harm, homelessness, and youth criminality.
  • Drug availability and use remain at high levels across the EU, with cannabis products being the most widely consumed substance.
  • The proposed new rules on asset recovery and confiscation aim to strengthen the capabilities of national authorities and deprive criminals of their greatest source of income.
  • The European Heritage Label Award Ceremony and the 10th Anniversary Forum have celebrated the 12 winning sites selected in 2021.
  • LUMI is the fastest and most energy-efficient supercomputer in Europe, with an expected peak performance of 550 petaflops (550 million billion calculations per second).

Sources:

  • "The European Commission and the Trade Ministers of the European Union, Ecuador, Kenya and New Zealand have agreed to work jointly to forge an inclusive Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate."

+ Source: European Commission, (undated)

  • "The Ministers want to enhance Ministerial-level dialogue, so that trade and trade policies can support the Paris climate goals, sustainable development, environmental sustainability and a just transition."

+ Source: European Commission, (undated)

  • "A large majority of ministers (95%) endorsed a Declaration on a voluntary solidarity mechanism."

+ Source: European Commission, (undated)

  • "Drug availability and use remain at high levels across the EU, with cannabis products being the most widely consumed substance."

+ Source: European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, (2022)

  • "The proposed new rules on asset recovery and confiscation aim to strengthen the capabilities of national authorities and deprive criminals of their greatest source of income."

+ Source: European Commission, (2022)

  • "The European Heritage Label Award Ceremony and the 10th Anniversary Forum have celebrated the 12 winning sites selected in 2021."

+ Source: European Commission, (undated)

  • "LUMI is the fastest and most energy-efficient supercomputer in Europe, with an expected peak performance of 550 petaflops (550 million billion calculations per second)."

+ Source: EuroHPC, (2022)