EU Unveils Strategy for Crisis Preparedness and Response
Today the Commission and High Representative launch the Preparedness Union Strategy to support Member States and enhance Europe’s capability to prevent and respond to emerging threats.
It comes as the European Union is facing increasingly complex crises and challenges that cannot be ignored. From growing geopolitical tensions and conflicts, hybrid and cybersecurity threats, foreign information manipulation and interference, to climate change and increasing natural disasters, the EU needs to be ready to protect its citizens and the key societal functions that are crucial for democracy and daily life.
Concretely, the Strategy includes 30 key actions and a detailed Action Plan to advance the Preparedness Union’s objectives, as well as developing a ‘preparedness by design culture’ across all EU policies.
President Ursula von der Leyen said: “New realities require a new level of preparedness in Europe. Our citizens, our Member States, and our businesses need the right tools to act both to prevent crises and to react swiftly when a disaster hits. Families living in flood zones should know what to do when the waters rise. Early warning systems can prevent regions hit by wildfires from losing precious time. Europe stands ready to support Member States and trusted partners in the neighbourhood to save lives and livelihoods.”
Key objectives and actions of the Strategy include:
Protecting Europe’s Essential Societal Functions:
Promoting Population Preparedness:
Enhancing Crisis Response Coordination:
Strengthening Civil-Military Cooperation:
Bolstering Foresight and Anticipation Capabilities:
Increasing Public-Private Cooperation:
Enhancing Cooperation with External Partners:
Overall by taking a proactive approach to preparedness, the EU aims to build a more resilient and secure continent, better equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century.
Background
The Niinistö Report on Preparedness and Readiness of the EU concluded that strengthening Europe’s civilian and military preparedness and readiness to address today’s growing security challenges – in health, migration, technology security, climate, defence or the economy – is a matter of urgency. The report called for a profound change of mindset, and a shift in the way we understand and prioritise preparedness across the European Union. It also recognised that preparedness is not only a national responsibility but a shared European endeavour requiring stronger role for the Union in coordinating and supporting Member States in this area.
The Strategy therefore focusses on an integrated all-hazards approach, a whole-of-government approach, which brings together all relevant actors, across all levels of government (local, regional, national, and EU) and a whole-of-society approach, bringing together citizens, local communities and civil society, businesses and social partners as well as the scientific and academic communities.
Moreover, working closely with Member States, the Union has the ability to face future crises – and can deliver substantial and effective solutions for citizens and societies. The events and risks the European Union went through in the last years, and the strong and efficient response to the COVID-19 pandemic – demonstrated how the close cooperation between the European Union and the Member States allows for better outcomes for people and societies.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_856