Culture plays a fundamental role in human life. It is also an essential source of identity, at local, regional, national and European levels, while making a significant contribution to the EU economy. EU cultural policy relates to cultural heritage, but also to the cultural and creative sector. The EU supports culture through a variety of initiatives, including the European Capitals of Culture scheme. A number of EU programmes also offer funding for cultural projects, for instance the Creative Europe programme, Horizon Europe and New European Bauhaus. As one of the sectors of the economy worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU included culture in its coronavirus response investment initiatives and the REACT-EU programme aimed at dealing with the consequences of the pandemic. The European Parliament has called for increased support for culture as part of the post-pandemic recovery efforts.

EPRS policy podcast - Culture and regional development

In 2015, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to be attained by 2030. The SDGs and the broader 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, of which they form the core, are based on findings that human activities have triggered dramatic changes in the conditions on Earth (climate change and biodiversity loss), which in turn have contributed to the deterioration of human wellbeing. To reverse the trend, there is an urgent need to simultaneously address the multiple causes and consequences of environmental depletion and social inequalities, by developing synergies and managing trade-offs between the SDGs. The European Union has been a leader in drafting the SDGs; it is also a frontrunner in mainstreaming the SDGs in all its policies.

EPRS podcast - Policy: Understanding SDGs: The UN's Sustainable Development Goals

In March 2018, the EU introduced a legislative package on the fair taxation of the digital economy. It contained proposals for an interim and a long-term digital tax. However, there was no immediate political agreement in the Council. As finding a global solution at the OECD level or a coordinated EU approach was not yet feasible at the time, some Member States started designing or implementing their own digital taxes, which gave rise to trade tensions. In this podcast, we talk about taxing the digital economy. We analyse the main challenges, look at EU proposals and new developments to make international tax regimes fit for the digital age.

EPRS policy podcast - Taxing the digital economy: New developments and the way forward

In May 2020, the European Commission published its 'farm to fork' strategy – 'for a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system' – along with the EU biodiversity strategy, as part of the implementation of the European Green Deal. In those strategies the Commission set a target of 25 % of the EU's agricultural land to be under organic farming by 2030, as well as a significant increase in organic aquaculture. In this podcast, we’ll decorticate the Commission’s new plan to promote organic production in Europe.

EPRS policy podcast - Development of organic production in the EU: 2021-2027 action plan

What is the EU’s long term vision for rural areas? In this episode, we’ll look at their needs, their potential and challenges, see where current support policies have succeeded and where they’ve been less successful… and have a quick look into the future.

EPRS policy podcast - EU rural development policy: Impact, challenges and outlook

The EU has contributed to creating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established in 2015, as part of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and takes action to implement them through its internal and external policies, as outlined in the 'Towards a Sustainable Europe by 2030' reflection paper, the European Green Deal, the European Commission's political priorities and its work programme. The Sustainable Development Goals also have a regional dimension, sometimes called 'localisation'. Achieving around 65 % of the targets is estimated to require local and regional authority participation. Numerous regions and cities, including in the EU, have expressed support for the SDGs and many have integrated them in their policy frameworks.

EPRS podcast - Policy: Sustainable Development Goals in EU regions

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.

AGRI - Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

On Wednesday 10 July, the Committe on Development (DEVE) met for the first time in its new composition and elected as its Chair Swedish MEP Tomas TOBÉ (EPP). The Committee also elected four Vice Chairs: Pierrette HERZBERGER-FOFANA (Greens/EFA), Norbert NEUSER (S&amp;D), Chrysoula ZACHAROPOULOU (Renew Europe), Erik MARQUARDT (Greens/EFA). The next meeting of the Committee will take place in the morning of 24 July and is set to discuss the state of play of development cooperation, the 2020 budget and the future partnership with ACP countries. The Finish EU Council Presidency will set out its priorities, in particular in humanitarian aid.

DEVE - Committee on Development

REGI - Committee on Regional Development

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honour of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Each nominee must have the support of at least 40 MEPs, and each individual Member may support only one nominee. Signed nominations accompanied by supporting evidence are then assessed in a joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Committee on Development (DEVE). A shortlist of three candidates is drawn up through a vote by AFET and DEVE committees, and then submitted to the Conference of Presidents for a final vote. The winner is usually announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in November/December at plenary sitting in Strasbourg.

Sakharov Prize 2017

Janez Lenarčič, born on 6 November 1967, is a Slovenian diplomat.

After the hearing by the Committee on Development (DEVE) of the European Parliament, the committee prepares an evaluation letter on the candidate. Parliament is expected to vote on the new Commission as a whole on 23 October.

Hearing of Janez LENARČIČ, Commissioner-designate, Crisis Management

Debate on the latest developments in Syria

Jozef Síkela has been Czech Minister for Industry and Trade since 2021. He is now the European Commissioner-designate for International Partnerships, in the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Jozef SÍKELA, Commissioner-designate, International Partnerships

The Foreign Affairs and Development committees vote to shortlist three finalists for the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. David McAllister, AFET Chair, Barry Andrews, DEVE Chair, and Mounir Satouri, DROI Chair, give statements after the announcement.

The Sakharov Prize is the EU's highest tribute to human rights work, recognizing those who contribute to protecting freedom of thought. The candidates include María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia from Venezuela, Yael Admi and Reem Hajajreh from the “Women Wage Peace” and “Women of the Sun” movement in Israel/Palestine, Elon Musk from the United States, Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu from Azerbaijan, and journalists in Palestine including Hamza and Wael Al-Dahdouh, Plestia Alaqad, Shireen Abu Akleh, and Ain Media. The Conference of Presidents selects the winner on 24 October, and the award ceremony takes place on 18 December in Strasbourg.

Announcement of the 3 finalists for Sakharov Prize 2024

AFET DEVE DROI  joint Committee meeting with Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought 2024 laureates

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

AGRI

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Joint meeting HEARING Joint Committee Procedure ENVI and AGRI (CJ14)

ENVI

Joint Committee on Development, Committee on Foreign Affairs and Subcommittee meeting on Human Rights - Exchange of views with Sakharov Prize Candidates

DEVE

DROI

AFET

Joint committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and committee on Transport and Tourism

TRAN

Committee on Development

Joint committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

Committee meeting on Regional Development

REGI

Joint committee on Employment and Social Affairs and committee meeting on Regional Development

EMPL

Joint committee on Budgetary Control and committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

CONT

Press point by Barry ANDREWS (Renew, Ireland), Chair of DEVE, following the confirmation hearing of Jozef SÍKELA, Commissioner for International Partnerships

Press point by Barry ANDREWS (Renew, Ireland), Chair of DEVE, Lina GÁLVEZ (S&D, Spain), Chair of FEMM, Javier ZARZALEJOS (EPP, Spain), Chair of LIBE and Antonio DECARO (S&D, Italy), Chair of ENVI, following the confirmation hearing of Hadja LAHBIB, Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Equality

Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought 2024 - Interviews with laureates

DEVE - Confirmation hearing of Jozef SÍKELA, European Commissioner-designate for International Partnerships - Press point

DEVE - Confirmation hearing of Jozef SÍKELA, European Commissioner-designate for International Partnerships

DEVE FEMM ENVI - Confirmation hearing of Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner-designate for Preparedness and Crisis Management Equality - Press Point

DEVE FEMM ENVI - Confirmation hearing of Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner-designate for Preparedness and Crisis Management Equality

EP Plenary session - The important role of cities and regions in the EU – for a green, social and prosperous local development

AFET DEVE DROI - Announcement of the 3 finalists for Sakharov Prize 2024

DEVE - The humanitarian situation in Lebanon - Exchange of views with the Commission and humanitarian partners

EP Plenary session - Summit of the Future: transforming global governance for building peace, promoting human rights and achieving the Sustainable development goals

DEVE - Presentation of the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency - Exchange of views with Tristan AZBEJ State Secretary

DEVE AFET DROI - Presentation of candidates for the Sakharov Prize 2024

DEVE Committee constitutive meeting

EMPL Committee constitutive meeting

AFETY DEVE -  Geopolitical dialogue with Jutta Urpilainen, Commissioner for International Partnerships

DEVE workshop on ' Confronting debt, climate change and poverty: Global financial architecture reform and fiscal space of developing countries '

DEVE workshop on Opportunities and challenges of the green transition for pastoralism and indigenous people in Africa ?

DEVE - Humanitarian assistance to persons with disabilities

EP President Roberta METSOLA, at the opening of the session in Strasbourg, gives a statement on the developing situation after the recent elections and demonstrations in Georgia. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, on the developing situation in Georgia

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee meets with TikTok representatives to discuss the platform's adherence to the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), particularly in the context of recent European elections. Caroline Greer, TikTok’s Director of Public Policy, and Brie Pegum, Global Head of Product, Authenticity and Transparency, address questions on how the company ensures a safe and transparent online space during election periods. MEPs focus on TikTok's risk management strategies to combat disinformation, manages recommender systems, and provide third-party data access, especially concerning Romania's ongoing elections. The DSA, in full effect since February 2024, requires platforms to tackle illegal content and societal risks proactively.

TikTok compliance with Digital Services Act (DSA) in the context of recent developments: extracts from the exchange of views - Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO)

&lt;p>From 4th to 12th November 2024, the European Parliament held the Confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate, in Brussels. For 3 hours, MEPs quizzed the candidates for the College of Commissioners on their priorities ahead of the new mandate given by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission. This clip highlights the best pictures from the 26 confirmation hearings.&lt;/p>

Highlights of the hearings of the Commissioners-designate (2024)

Adrian-Dragoş BENEA (S&D, RO), Chair of the Regional Development Committee (REGI) holds a press point after the Confirmation hearing of Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms.

Press point by Adrian-Dragoş BENEA (S&D, RO), Chair of the Regional Development Committee (REGI)

Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) of the European Parliament. Committee on Development (DEVE), Committee on International Trade (INTA), Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) and Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) participate as joint committees. At the end of the confirmation hearing, Kaja KALLAS makes a closing statement followed by the one from the Committee Chair. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check agaisnt delivery.

Confirmation hearing of Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission: closing statements by Commissioner-designate and David McALLISTER (EPP,DE), AFET Committee Ch

Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) of the European Parliament. Committee on Development (DEVE), Committee on International Trade (INTA), Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) and Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) participate as joint committees. During the confirmation hearing, Kaja KALLAS answers questions by committee members.

Confirmation hearing of Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission: questions / answers (part 5 - Political groups in reverse order)

Confirmation hearing of Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission: questions / answers (part 4 - Invited Committees)

Confirmation hearing of Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission: questions / answers (part 3)

Confirmation hearing of Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission: questions / answers (part 2)

Confirmation hearing of Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission: questions / answers (part 1 - Political groups coordinators)

Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) of the European Parliament. Committee on Development (DEVE), Committee on International Trade (INTA), Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) and Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) participate as joint committees. During the confirmation hearing, Kaja KALLAS makes an opening statement and then answers questions by committee members. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check agaisnt delivery.

Confirmation hearing of Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission: opening statement by the High Representative

Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) of the European Parliament. Committee on Development (DEVE), Committee on International Trade (INTA), Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) and Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) participate as joint committees. Ambiance of the arrivals and opening statement by David MCALLISTER, AFET Chair. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check agaisnt delivery.

Confirmation hearing of Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission: arrivals and opening statement by David MCALLISTER, AFET Chair

The AFET (Foreign Affairs) Committee quizzes Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President-designate of the European Commission. INTA (International Trade), FEMM (Women's Rights and Gender Equality), DROI (Human Rights), DEVE (Development) and SEDE (Security and Defence) Committees and Subcommittees are invited to participate to the Confirmation Hearing of the former Estonian Prime Minister.

Confirmation hearing of Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission: atmosphere shots

Barry ANDREWS (Renew, IE), Chair of the Committee on Development, speaks to the press, after the Confirmation hearing of Jozef SÍKELA, European Commissioner-designate for International Partnerships. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press point by Barry ANDREWS (Renew, IE), Chair of the Committee on Development

Jozef SÍKELA, European Commissioner-designate for International Partnerships, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Development (DEVE) of the European Parliament. Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), Committee on International Trade (INTA), andCommittee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) participate as joint committees. At the end of the confirmation hearing, Jozef SÍKELA makes the closing statement followed by the one from the Committee Chair. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Confirmation hearing of Jozef SÍKELA, European Commissioner-designate for International Partnerships: closing statement by Jozef SÍKELA and Committee Chair

Jozef SÍKELA, European Commissioner-designate for International Partnerships, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Development (DEVE) of the European Parliament. Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), Committee on International Trade (INTA), andCommittee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) participate as joint committees. During the confirmation hearing, Jozef SÍKELA answers questions by committee members.

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