EU newsflash
- The EU–Japan economic partnership agreement entered into force on 1 February 2019. Businesses and consumers across Europe and in Japan can now take advantage of the largest open trade zone in the world covering 635 million people.
- The EU in 2018: The general report on the activities of the European Union is hot off the press. See what the EU achieved in 2018.
- The first EU-League of Arab States summit will take place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, 24-25 February 2019 to explore common solutions to common challenges.
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Spotlight on sustainable Europe
Sustainability becomes more and more an issue of primary concern in the global agenda. In simple words, it implies a way of living that allows fair outcomes for all humanity now and in the future. It requires policy frameworks that enable the planet to continue supporting human life and that enable future generations to meet their needs and aspirations. Among others, it calls for the reduction of negative human impact on the environment, the maintenance of healthy ecosystems and the rational use of natural resources.
On 30 January 2019, the European Commission published a reflection paper on a Sustainable Europe by 2030. This forms part of the EU’s firm commitment to deliver on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By reviewing the challenges for Europe and the world and by presenting illustrative scenarios for the future, the paper seeks to steer the discussion on how these goals can be best achieved and how the European Union can best contribute by 2030.
Find out more about the importance of sustainability for the European Union in this month’s newsletter, along with some of the most interesting EU publications on several other topics, including research.
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Overview of progress towards the SDGs in an EU context: 2018 edition
This regular monitoring of EU SDG indicators has been developed in cooperation with a large number of partners and stakeholders. It comprises 100 indicators and is structured along the 17 SDGs set by the UN.
Available in English |
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Dare a sustainable Europe
This publication by the European Economic and Social Committee presents Luca Jahier’s presidency priorities and work programme towards sustainable development but also peace and culture.
Available in all the official languages of the EU except Irish |
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Policy support for productivity vs. sustainability in EU agriculture: towards viable farming and green growth - Executive Summary
This is the executive summary of a study aiming to support the ongoing discussions on sustainable productivity growth in the EU. The study identifies the main obstacles and presents a selection of farm practices that could enhance total resource productivity.
Multilingual publication (English, French, German, Italian, Polish) |
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A systems approach to sustainable food - Study
Ensuring the availability of nutritious food for all in a fair and environmentally sustainable way is a major societal, economic and policy challenge. This study analyses this challenge and identifies opportunities to respond to the current policy objectives, the 2030 SDGs and the 2050 vision of the seventh environment action programme. If you are interested in learning more about food sustainability, you can also look at the FOODSECURE interactive infographic. It illustrates estimates for the future of global food security until 2050, while taking into account trade-offs with environmental sustainability.
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Study
This is a study conducted to contribute to the review of the EU forest strategy. It collects insights of local and regional authorities in forest management. It also presents their opinion on the impact the EU forest strategy has had so far and their expectations on the future priorities of the EU forest policy.
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Glimpses of the future from the BOHEMIA study - Study
Imagine it is now 2040. Half of EU citizens do not own a car but rely on seamless intermodal mobility services. Passenger vehicles are increasingly automated while freight transport also benefits from automation, with massive use of drones for last-mile delivery. BOHEMIA is a foresight study designed to put forward policy recommendations. As part of its recommendations, the study identifies future scenarios with disruptive implications and associated priority directions for EU research and innovation.
Available in English |
Research and innovation |
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Innovative therapies against rare diseases
The special section of this month’s Research*eu is focusing on rare diseases. Up to 36 million Europeans are afflicted right now by one of around 6 000 conditions classified as rare diseases. In anticipation of the globally-marked Rare Disease Day on 28 February, this issue shines a light on some of the most exciting EU-funded research being carried out to find treatments and therapies for patients coping with life-changing rare conditions.
Available in English
(Individual article also available in French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish on the CORDIS website) |
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Governance, accountability, and transparency
Uncertainty is part of the macroeconomic and financial environment and can adversely affect countries, businesses and citizens. International institutions play an important role in mitigating this uncertainty by fostering closer cooperation between countries to reduce the risk of future crises and by providing assistance. The establishment of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) in October 2012 represents the most visible feature of Europe’s response to the euro area crisis. This publication describes the ESM’s mission, governing bodies, transparency and accountability arrangements.
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European Green Capital 2019
Oslo is the winner of the European Green Capital Award for 2019. This award is an initiative of the European Commission, rewarding cities who have committed to environmental, social and economic sustainability. Find out in this publication how Oslo impressed the award jury members with its holistic approach to sustainability, the high importance it places on the health of its citizens and the innovative use of technology for public consultation. If you are interested in learning more about sustainable cities, take a look at the European Green Leaf 2019 winner Horst aan de Maas.
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Scanning the horizon: 12 scenarios for 2021
This paper aims to alert decision-makers to potential developments with significant strategic impact while they can still prepare for, or even avoid them. This is done by combining two methods: horizon-scanning and single scenario-building. Taken together, they produce plausible events set in 2021 — with strategic ramifications well beyond that. Some of these scenarios explore potential conflicts, while others look at disruptive political developments or crises with significant ramifications.
Available in English |
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Have your say on the future of Europe
The EU institutions made it a priority to engage with Europeans and discuss the issues that matter to them. Commissioners and other EU officials travelled far and wide across Europe to talk with citizens, who expressed their opinions on a range of issues. Hundreds of thousands of people participated in almost 1 000 citizens’ dialogues in town halls, local councils, schools, universities, trade fairs and many other locations across the EU. This publication presents the most frequently raised topics and the key concerns of the EU citizens consulted.
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Advanced economies shaping the next stage of inclusive globalisation
This paper briefs on the strengthened EU–Japan partnership, examining it from several additional standpoints besides trade. It provides argumentation on why this partnership can help both the EU and Japan address some of the 21st century’s most profound strategic and societal challenges.
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Second survey on discrimination and hate crime against Jews in the EU
This report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights outlines the main findings of its second survey on Jewish people’s experiences with hate crime, discrimination and antisemitism in the European Union. Covering 12 EU Member States and reaching almost 16 500 individuals who identify as being Jewish, this survey is the biggest ever conducted worldwide on this issue.
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Can you reuse open data to create innovative services? Can you address societal challenges using it? Can you create mobile or web apps using open data from different information sources? If yes, #EUdatathon2019 is for you!
Register your team and make an app proposal by 24 March. If your idea is shortlisted, you’ll have time until 7 June to develop your app. Winners will be selected on 13 June during the final conference of the event in Brussels.
The EU Datathon 2019 is organised by the Publications Office of the European Union, in partnership with the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
To participate, learn more or follow the event, please visit: https://publications.europa.eu/eudatathon |
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Publications Office of the European Union: 50 years anniversary
It was the 28th of January 1969 when the Decision of 16 January 1969 establishing the Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, published on 18 January 1969 in the Official Journal of the European Communities, entered into force.
Thus, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Publications Office of the EU and its contribution to the common European project.
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