Policy Updates

On December 2, 2024, the Council of the EU endorsed 46 Global Gateway flagship projects for 2025, which focus on the areas of digital, climate and energy, transport, health, education, and research.

Every year, new flagship projects are selected and added to the Global Gateway flagships list which includes 218 initiatives from 2023-2024. The list serves as a strategic communication and visibility tool for the EU and its member states.

Out of 46 newly selected flagship projects:

• 25 projects focus on climate and energy, including investments in climate resilience for land and water use, sustainable agricultural practices in Africa, and boosting renewable energy including hydro, solar, and wind;
• Six projects focus on digital, for example boosting digital connectivity in the Pacific or the EU-AU space partnership;
• Four projects focus on education such as boosting skills, rebuilding schools, and supporting entrepreneurship in Africa, Asia, Ukraine, and the Middle East;
• Six projects focus on health, increasing sanitation and healthcare in Africa and Europe; and
• Five projects focus on increasing global transport links.

On October 23, 2024, the European Commissioners-designates published their written replies to the EP questions ahead of the upcoming hearings in the EP which will confirm or reject the proposed Commissioners.

The hearings will take place between November 4-12, 2024, with the Commissioner-designate for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela’s hearing scheduled for November 6, 2024.

In his written replies, Commissioner-designate for International Partnerships, has highlighted the key areas and priorities for his future mandate. He said that International Partnerships will be a cornerstone of the EU’s new foreign economic policy, with economic growth being the main engine of sustainable development. He will continue to focus on the Global Gateway as the EU’s main contribution to the 2030 Agenda, while focusing on food, health, and education in fragile and conflict contexts.

Mobilizing private investments will be key to achieving the biggest impact of EU funding. He will continue to build on the Team Europe approach as a way of coordinating the EU's limited resources and deliver on priorities as a team. The main sectors for engagement will be green energy, digital infrastructure, transport, education, and health, as investing in these areas will reduce poverty, address the root causes of irregular migration and bolster economic security.

Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management, and Equality Hadja Lahbib committed to stepping up efforts to boost preparedness and response to disasters, including those linked to climate change and health. She will steer the development and implementation of an ambitious EU Preparedness Union Strategy. In her role as a Commissioner for Equality, she will develop the Gender Equality Strategy post-2025.

Commissioner-designate for Budget Piotr Serafin called for the EC to be an ‘Investment Commission’, with a more efficient and impactful financial architecture for the Union, and a more focused, simpler, and impactful budget. He supported strengthened and modernized revenues, including via new own resources.

Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva will prioritize the development of the next Framework Program for Research and Innovation, as well as work to increase research spending and support the target of investing 3% GDP in R&D. She stressed the importance of bridging research and innovation ecosystems to address global challenges, while pursuing reciprocity, a global level-playing field, and Europe’s strategic autonomy and economic security.

On October 10 and 11, 2024, the G7's Health Ministerial Meeting took place in Ancona, Italy. The discussion focused on three overarching priorities: Global Health Architecture and Pandemic Preparedness and Response, healthy and active aging, and the One Health Approach.

The G7 Health Ministers Communiqué, released at the end of the meeting, highlights the G7's commitment to supporting SDG #3 through universal health coverage, primary health care, and sexual and reproductive health. This also includes maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health, strengthening the global health architecture by investing in PPR, promoting regional manufacturing of health products, and equitable access to quality health services.

The communiqué emphasized the health-related impacts of conflicts with a reference to the crises in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan. Furthermore, in the communiqué, the G7 Ministries committed to continue to support Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Global Fund, whose replenishment processes will occur in the upcoming months.

The Civil 7 engagement group, a platform through which civil society can engage with the G7, reacted with a communiqué in which they expressed an appreciation for the re-commitment to ending HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria through robust support for the Global Fund in its replenishment next year. This support is crucial to ending the three epidemics as agreed upon in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Finally, the G7 Health Ministers also adopted a policy brief on the opportunities presented by AI for both healthcare providers and patients.

On October 8, 2024, the EU took stock of the progress achieved on its international partnerships since it revamped its model of cooperation five years ago.

The EU's intentions have been to move away from donor-recipient dynamics and towards more mutually beneficial partnerships where both the partners' and Europe's resilience are reinforced. An integral part of this shift is Team Europe, which brings together the EU institutions, the Member States, the European DFIs with the European private sector, aiming to increase the scale, impact, and visibility of joint European action.

This approach has been the main delivery mechanism of the EU's Global Gateway investment strategy, which is expected to mobilize up to EUR300 billion (US$331 billion) in public and private investments by the year 2027. Between 2021-2023, EUR179 billion (US$197 billion) in investments have been already mobilized. EUR50 billion (US$55 billion) of these funds were supported by the EC.

Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen positively reflected strong foundation of partnerships that were built during her mandate.

The communications highlighted achievements in the five priorities of the Global Gateway strategy:

• Climate and Energy: Mobilizing investments for climate resilience, access to clean energy and infrastructure, helping partner countries shift away from fossil fuels, supporting climate adaptation, supporting global food security, and creating opportunities for jobs and prosperity;
• Digital Transition: Supporting digital transition and deployment of connectivity and digital infrastructures, as well as digital skills. Additionally, allocating 10% of NDICI funding to digital actions;
• Transport: Investing in physical infrastructure to strengthen transport networks, as well as strengthening the regulatory environment;
• Health: Supporting the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic (via ACT-A and COVAX, supporting global health initiatives like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund to fight Tuberculosis and Malaria and the Pandemic Fund. Adopting a Global Health Strategy, strengthening health systems, supply chains, investing in local manufacturing; and
• Education and Research: Investing 13% of the development budget (2021-23) to education. Flagship initiatives focus on education for girls, teacher training, and vocational education.

Additionally, it underscored work on:

• Fragile countries: Addressing the root causes of fragility and supporting the basic needs and livelihoods of populations, along the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus. Launching an Integrated Approach to External Conflicts and Crises to see how to best approach fragile and conflict-affected contexts;
• Migration: Scaling up work to address root causes of migration by investing in partner countries’ migration management capabilities and signing migration partnerships in line with the Pact on Migration and Asylum. 10% of the international partnerships budget was earmarked for migration and forced displacement; and
• Multilateral engagement: Engaging with global institutions like the UN, the G7 and G20, and International Financial Institutions to shape global policies; and providing funding for international initiatives on global health, education, and equality.

On October 7, 2024, the EC's HERA delivered 5,420 doses of the mpox vaccine to Rwanda and is a proportion of the 215,000 doses donated to Africa CDC.

In addition to delivering vaccines, the EU and its Member States are also contributing to the WHO's global mpox plan and the African continental mpox plan, as well as supporting the Pandemic Fund.

The EU is the largest contributor to the Pandemic Fund with EUR427 million (US$472 million) committed. The Fund has allocated US$129 million for the 10 most mpox-affected countries, such as Rwanda. This funding will improve surveillance and detection of the mpox virus, enhance laboratory capacity, and train the emergency workforce.

On September 28th, 2024, the EC President von der Leyen announced EUR260 million (US$290 million) in 2026-2027 for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance at the Global Citizen Festival 2024 in New York City.

The President announced that the EU will reach Gavi’s objective to vaccinate 500 million children by 2030 under the 2026-2030 Strategic Period. The EC promised to remain committed to a high level of ambition in supporting Gavi when designing its proposal for the next long-term EU budget, the MFF which will cover EU spending beyond 2027.

CSOs Global Citizen, ONE, Save the Children, and Global Health Advocates applauded President von der Leyen’s announcement and efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccines for children around the world and the intention to increase support to Gavi from the next MFF.

President von der Leyen also pledged EUR213 million (US$ 240 million) in additional humanitarian assistance for Africa, Afghanistan, Palestinians and Venezuela.

Pending the approval of the European Parliament and Council of the EU, the funding will be split as follows:

• EUR41 million (US$45 million) for Africa, targeting food insecurity;
• EUR69 million (US$ 76 million) for the Sudan crisis and its spillover effects on neighboring countries;
• EUR40 million (US$44 million) for food insecurity in Afghanistan; and
• EUR45 million (US$49 million) for Palestinians and EUR18 million (US$19 million) for Venezuela.

On September 24, 2024, the EIB, the EC, and the BMGF announced the development of new financing mechanisms aimed at improving access to essential health products, such as contraceptives and maternal health medicines.

One of the mechanisms currently under discussion with UNFPA is expected to lower costs and overcome barriers to contraception and maternal health medicines for women. This initiative, set to be delivered over five years, will be led by the EIB, backed by the EC, and supported with funding to UNFPA Supplies from the BMGF.

Furthermore, the EIB and the EC are working on new financial guarantees totaling up to EUR170 million (US$170 million) to support human development and gender, as part of a broader partnership between the EC, EIB, and the BMGF to accelerate investments to improve health and nutrition in low- and middle-income countries, including through the Human Development Accelerator. These guarantees will encourage new products to be taken to market and manufacturing life-saving products on a larger scale.

Jutta Urpilainen, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, emphasized that these financing mechanisms will promote a more sustainable supply chain and enable greater access for more women and girls to these much-needed products.

On September 23, 2024, the WHO, EIB, and other MDBs launched the Health Impact Investment Platform to strengthen PHC in LMICs by unlocking US$1.5 billion in loans and grants to improve PHC services, starting with health investment plans in 15 countries.

The initiative announced at the UN Summit of the Future aims to enhance health system resilience, pandemic preparedness, and expand access to primary care services in underserved communities. The effort builds on the cooperation established during the COVID-19 pandemic and seeks to create sustainable health financing mechanisms in vulnerable regions.

The WHO and the EIB signed an initial EUR10 million (US$11 million) contribution to launch investment plans, with additional funds expected from the IDB and the AfDB.

On September 17, 2024, after months of negotiations, EC President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled her proposed team of Commissioners.

Pending a confirmation hearing by the European Parliament in November, where experts believe some Commissioner-designates are likely to be rejected, and a plenary vote, the new college will be able to begin the new mandate at the earliest in December 2024.

Six Commissioners will have an external component to their portfolio, five will have an ecological focus, and five relate to security in their title.

Among the most relevant for external relations are:

• Jozef Síkela (Czechia, independent): Commissioner for International Partnerships. Síkela is a former investment banker and industry and trade minister. Síkela has been mandated with continuing to focus on Global Gateway. His mission letter tasks him with taking Global Gateway from start-up to scale-up and working in synergy with other programs, namely to secure supply of raw materials and clean tech. Gender equality is singled out as a priority, but no mention of other human development sectors is made.
• Kaja Kallas (Estonia, liberal): High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy. Former Estonian Prime Minister Kallas has been one of the EU's most vocal critics of Russia and a key proponent of both military assistance to Ukraine and a stronger EU defense capability. Her duties include giving a new impetus to the EU’s partnership with Africa and shaping a new foreign economic policy, including via "mutually beneficial partnerships". Kallas has also been tasked to ensure a better link between the EU’s internal and external policies, from climate and energy to digital and food security.
• Hadja Lahbib (Belgium, liberal): Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Equality. Labhib is the outgoing Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister and was previously a journalist. The role replaces the current portfolio of humanitarian assistance, covering internal crises as well, and includes a second hat for equality. Her health deliverables include developing a new strategy to support medical countermeasures against health threats. Lahbib will work to develop a Roadmap for Women’s Rights and a new Gender Equality Strategy.

The agreement of the next EU long-term budget will be front and center of the next mandate. Von der Leyen’s priorities are modernization, prioritization, and simplification.

The appointment for the budget is:

• Piotr Serafin (Poland, center-right): Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud, and Administration. Serafin, currently the Polish ambassador to the EU and former chief of staff of Donald Tusk when he was European Council president, also served in the cabinet of former Polish EU Budget Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski. Serafin will report directly to President von der Leyen. His mission letter calls for revamped external action financing that is more targeted and aligned with Europe’s strategic interests.

Among the most relevant for climate, food, and agriculture are:

• Teresa Ribera Rodríguez (Spain, center-left): Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition. As the Spanish Vice President and Minister for Ecological Transition, her position combines the roles of competition chief, net-zero architect, and economic transformer. Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s report on competitiveness is expected to serve as her blueprint as she leads the development of a Clean Industrial Deal and ensures the European Green Deal stays on track.
• Wopke Hoekstra (the Netherlands, center-right): Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth. Hoekstra has been confirmed in the role with a revamped portfolio that now includes climate and taxation. He will focus on a clean industrial strategy, decarbonization and emissions reduction, while ensuring a fair transition. The international dimension will center on clean trade and investment partnerships.
• Christophe Hansen (Luxembourg, center-right): Commissioner for Agriculture and Food. As an MEP, Hansen worked on environmental and trade issues. His new role will involve strengthening the competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability of agriculture, and he will prepare a 100-day Vision for Agriculture and Food.

The appointments for health and preparedness are:

• Roxana Mînzatu (Romania, center-left): Executive Vice-President for People, Skills, and Preparedness. Minzatu is a cohesion funds expert who served as an MEP and Minister for European Funds. Her mission statement includes advancing a Union of Equality, a Union of Skills, and fostering a new culture of preparedness to help people adapt to changes and risks, particularly in the face of health and security crises.
• Olivér Várhelyi (Hungary, far right): Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare. Várhelyi, who is currently responsible for the Neighborhood and Enlargement portfolio, was handed the health and animal welfare role. He is a controversial figure due to breaking ranks with the EC to follow Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. His mission statement includes completing the European Health Union, but food safety has been stripped of his portfolio. He will head DG SANTE and HERA. On health preparedness, he will report to the Executive Vice-President for People, Skills, and Preparedness.

In her mission statement, von der Leyen states that R&I, science, and technology must be put at the heart of the EU’s economy, which entails more investments and cooperation.

The appointment for R&I and R&D is:

• Ekaterina Zaharieva (Bulgaria, center-right): Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation. Zaharieva is a lawyer and previously served as Bulgaria's foreign affairs minister after serving several other ministerial posts. Her deliverables include reinforcing international research and innovation cooperation and seeking synergies through Global Gateway. Zaharieva's revamped portfolio does not include education, which will be the responsibility of the Executive Vice President for people, skills, and preparedness, but extends to start-ups, a first for any commissioner.

On September 10, 2024, the EC and Canada launched the EU-Canada Health Policy Dialogue, reinforcing their commitment under their Strategic Partnership Agreement to collaborate on AMR, health security, and NCDs.

The dialogue aims to share knowledge, scientific evidence, and best practices to advance people’s health.

Key priorities included:

• AMR: Both parties will strengthen collaboration to combat AMR, ahead of the UNGA’s High-Level Meeting on the topic. The main focus includes AMR surveillance, the One Health approach, and incentivizing new antimicrobial developments;
• Health security: Joint efforts are intended enhance global pandemic preparedness and response, leveraging the WHO’s role and advancing frameworks like the International Health Regulations and Pandemic Agreement. The intersection of climate change and health will be an additional focus; and
• NCDs: Focus areas include cancer and mental health, with plans for knowledge exchange on cancer prevention and mental health service accessibility.