Council adopts its position on the corporate sustainability reporting directive (CSRD)
The Council agreed its position (‘general approach’) on the European Commission proposal for a corporate sustainability reporting directive (CSRD). This draft directive will complement the European sustainable finance strategy.
"The adoption, at the instigation of the French presidency, of a common position by the member states on this text is another decisive step in the development of a European regulatory framework for sustainable finance. Ultimately, companies with more than 250 employees or listed companies will now have to translate their environmental, social and governance policy into standardised, justified and certified information documents. This means greater transparency for citizens, consumers and investors so that businesses can play their full part in society. This is the end of greenwashing. Today, Europe sets the rigorous non-financial reference standards of tomorrow, in line with our environmental and social ambitions." - Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Economic Affairs, Finance and Recovery
European Union - African Union summit, 17-18 February 2022
Main results
The heads of state or government of the member states of the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) met for the sixth European Union - African Union summit in Brussels on 17 and 18 February 2022.
The meeting was co-chaired by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel and the President of Senegal and the Chairperson of the AU, Macky Sall.
Ahead of the summit, EU leaders took part in an informal meeting of the members of the European Council on the latest developments related to Russia and Ukraine.
EU-Africa Business Forum 2022: private and public actors conclude agreements to accelerate Africa’s growth
African and European representatives of the private and public sector concluded major deals to support Africa’s sustainable growth and creating decent jobs at the 7th EU-Africa Business Forum (EABF). The Forum took place on 16-17 February in a hybrid format, as part of the Africa-Europe Week and in the margins of the African Union-European Union Summit. Financial institutions, business organisations and other actors signed or announced more than 20 agreements to support areas such as health, agriculture, clean energy, youth and entrepreneurship, digital, automotive and others.
European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen said: “I am pleased to see the EU-Africa Business Forum yields tangible trade and investment results. These commitments will benefit businesses and people on both continents. We will only achieve our common goal of a strong, inclusive, green and digital recovery by joining forces with our partner organisations and the private sector. Supporting young entrepreneurs is particularly close to my heart. Youth’s energy and creativity is crucial to Africa’s booming economy.”
Africa-Europe Week: Strengthening cross-continent, people-to-people and business relations between both continents
In the margins of the 6th European Union - African Union summit on 17 and 18 February 2022, over 10,000 delegates from Europe, Africa and beyond participated in the first Africa-Europe Week together with 15,000 delegates in the 7th EU-Africa Business Forum (EABF). Hosted in a hybrid format in Brussels and virtually, during over 100 sessions, panel discussions and concerts, this new forum’s objective has been to strengthen cross-continent people-to-people relations, through providing a space for youth, civil society (CSO), cultural actors and the private sector to discuss the aspects of the Africa-Europe partnerships that matter most to them.
Results of the sessions during Africa-Europe Week and EABF culminated with outcomes of the youth, CSO and business discussions being presented to the 6th EU-AU Summit, running concurrently in Brussels. EU-AU Summit, running concurrently in Brussels.
Commissioner Urpilainen launches the first Africa-Europe Week
In the margins of the 6th European Union - African Union summit on 17 and 18 February 2022, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen launches the first Africa-Europe Week including the 7th EU-Africa Business Forum (EABF). This new forum’s objective is to strengthen cross-continent people-to-people relations.
The Africa-Europe week aims at bringing together young people, civil society organisations, local authorities, cultural actors and the private sector from both continents to discuss the aspects of the Africa-Europe political partnership that matter most to them.
Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen looks forward to receiving participants for these exchanges, online and in person, in the coming weeks:
“Strengthening people to people contacts is central to the new Global Gateway strategy and our Africa-Europe renewed partnership, building on a number of joint priorities and enhanced focus on human development. As a new platform of exchange, the Africa-Europe Week will push forward the essential views of young people, civil society, local authorities, cultural actors and the private sector of both continents."
European Commission launches Africa Knowledge Platform
The European Commission has launched their Africa Knowledge Platform allowing users to browse their collection of geospatial datasets, discover interactive stories and interact with analytical tools:
A gateway to data and information on Africa's social, economic, territorial and environmental development, developed by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission.
EU pledges €2.5 billion to combat malnutrition with partner countries
At today's Nutrition for Growth Summit in Tokyo, the Commission announced a new pledge of €2.5 billion for 2021-2024 to reduce all forms of malnutrition. This contribution covers humanitarian assistance to address urgent needs as well as support to tackle the underlying causes of malnutrition, including a longer-term food systems transformation in EU partner countries.
Speaking at the Summit, Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen said: “The COVID-19 pandemic is compounding the global nutrition crisis. The need for more equitable, resilient, and sustainable food and health systems has never been as urgent. Today's pledge will contribute to addressing malnutrition in a comprehensive manner, by supporting sustainable and resilient food systems. We want to create a healthy future, free from hunger and malnutrition, for all”.
Remarks by President Charles Michel at the G20 Compact with Africa Conference
Thank you Chancellor; first of all I would like to join in the praise and pay tribute to your tenacity and wisdom, which are sorely needed in today’s world. In direct reference to Moussa Faki’s remarks, I would also like to pay tribute to your lasting commitment not only to breaking down walls, but above all to building bridges.
This meeting is effective proof of our ambition to build bridges, to join together for this Compact with Africa, as has been highlighted by several speakers.
EU new Ambassadors to African countries
High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell also announced
the appointments of new Heads of Delegations of the European Union, who will take up their duties as of 1 September :
European Council conclusions on external relations, 24 June 2021
IV. TURKEY
14. The European Council reverted to the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the European Union’s relations with Turkey, and recalled the EU’s strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey. It welcomes the de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean, which needs to be sustained in line with the statement by the Members of the European Council of 25 March 2021.
15. The European Council reiterates the EU’s readiness to engage with Turkey in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner to enhance cooperation in a number of areas of common interest, subject to the established conditionalities set out in March and in previous European Council conclusions.
16. In line with this framework, it takes note of the start of work at technical level towards a mandate for the modernisation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union and recalls the need to address current difficulties in the implementation of the Customs Union, ensuring its effective application to all Member States. Such a mandate may be adopted by the Council subject to additional guidance by the European Council.