Roberta METSOLA, EP President, opens the European Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg with a statement on the World Day of eradication of poverty. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

social Europe (T)

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

Resumption of session and order of business: opening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the World day of the eradication of poverty

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Good afternoon, dear colleagues, welcome. Could I ask you to take your seats, quite a lot of work ahead of us. So I will start with a few announcements from my hand before we come to the adoption of the agenda.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, First of all, today we mark International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. And on a day like today, we are reminded that far too many people still do not have access to food, water, clothing, shelter, education or health care. Far too many people are excluded from society, denied the possibility of a dignified job.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Far too many people are not given the opportunities to achieve their potential. Dear colleagues. Our Europe has always been a frontline in the fight against global poverty. But yet a lot still needs to be done. And sadly, the impact of the pandemic and the direct consequences of Russia's illegal war in Ukraine are pushing millions into poverty.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And we must work together to counter this. Today, we have united Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights in the chamber with us, Professor Olivier De Schutter. Thank you for all that you do in strengthening the protection of fundamental rights in Europe and around the world. Thank you.