Policy Updates

On September 10, 2024, former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi released a report commissioned by EC President Ursula von der Leyen in 2023, which highlighted that the EU is losing economic ground, lagging in the green and digital transition, and facing vulnerabilities in defense and raw materials.

To address these challenges, nearly 200 recommendations were made to shape the priorities of the next EC. While the report placed a high value on partnerships, it emphasized aligning international cooperation with the EU’s strategic interests, particularly in securing resources like raw materials and advancing the EU’s industrial and trade objectives.

The report also called for Europe to mobilize EUR750-EUR800 billion (US$831-US$886 billion) annually to stay competitive with the US and China. Draghi suggested focusing EU funding on high-impact projects, reducing programs, and increasing flexibility.

Experts noted that the report is likely to influence the upcoming long-term budget and external action. Avenues for change include a more transactional approach to development assistance, as well as an expansion of Global Gateway to support the diversification of supply chains, advance the EU’s and European industry’s strategic interests, and support infrastructure investment worldwide.

Draghi highlighted R&D and innovation as central to advancing the EU’s competitiveness. The report called for a doubling of the research budget, which might benefit GHRD, although through the lens of improving competitiveness and addressing domestic societal challenges.

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.

On September 10, 2024, the European Commission’s HERA facilitated the delivery of nearly 100,000 mpox vaccine doses to the DRC, marking the first shipment of its kind to the country.

An additional 100,000 doses are expected soon, contributing to the total of 215,000 vaccines pledged to combat the mpox outbreak in Africa. Team Europe will donate a total of 566,500 mpox vaccine doses to affected African countries, with contributions from France, Germany, Spain, Malta, Portugal, Luxembourg, Croatia, Austria, and Poland.

The EC also released EUR1 million (US$1 million) in humanitarian assistance to support care, prevention, epidemiological surveillance, risk communication and distribution of kits in the DRC.

On September 10, 2024, the EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič announced that the EC is mobilizing additional EUR40 million (US$44 million) in support to Ukraine to prepare for the cold winter months.

The support will go to repair damaged infrastructure, ensure electricity and heating and provide shelter to those in need.

Out of this, EUR35 million (US$39 million) will be spent on humanitarian projects in Ukraine and EUR5 million (US$6 million) on supporting Ukrainian refugees and their host communities in Moldova.

On August 22, 2024, the EU released an allocation of EUR122 million (US$111 million) in humanitarian, food, nutrition, and WASH assistance to the Greater Horn of Africa in response to the impact of regional conflicts, drought, and floods.

Funding will be allocated to the EU’s partners as follows:

• EUR42 million (US$38 million) to Ethiopia;
• EUR40 million (US$36 million) to Somalia; and
• EUR40 million (US$36 million) to South Sudan.

The EU also allocated EUR35 million (US$31 million) to West African countries facing political instability, food insecurity and displacement, assisting them to meet essential needs, including food, healthcare, and shelter for displaced and vulnerable communities.

Funding will be dedicated to partners as follows:

• EUR10 million (US$9 million) to Burkina Faso;
• EUR8 million (US$7 million) to Mali;
• EUR8 million (US$7 million) to Niger;
• EUR1 million (US$1 million) to Mauritania;
• EUR5 million (US$4 million) to Nigeria; and
• EUR3 million (US$2 million) to the countries in the Gulf of Guinea.

On July 30, 2024, the EDCTP published their Annual Report 2023, presented progress made during the first 20 years of the EDCTP programs, and highlighted future plans.

The report showcased key achievements in disease prevention and treatment, such as the WHO recommendation of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, progress in HIV-related disease treatments, and new findings in TB immunity that could influence future vaccine development.

Research supported by EDCTP has led to new treatment options for neglected infectious diseases, benefiting vulnerable populations, including young children. The report underscored EDCTP's contributions to strengthening national systems for clinical research oversight in SSA.

On August 14, 2024, the EC announced measures to procure and donate mpox vaccine doses via the Africa CDC as an immediate response to the regional outbreak.

HERA will procure and donate 175,420 doses of the MVA-BN vaccine, which is the sole mpox vaccine approved by both the FDA and the EMA.

The pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic will also contribute 40,000 doses to HERA. The Africa CDC will allocate the vaccines according to the regional needs of the affected countries.

On August 6, 2024, the European Council approved the first regular payment of EUR4.2 billion (US$3.8 billion) in grants and loans under the EU's Ukraine Facility to support Ukraine's macro-financial stability and the functioning of its public administration.

The Ukraine Facility has already disbursed EUR6 billion (US$5.4 billion) by way of bridge financing and EUR1.9 billion (US$1.7 billion) in pre-financing after the fulfillment of agreed policy conditions.

The payments were made possible after the Council concluded that Ukraine satisfactorily fulfilled the reforms envisaged in the Ukraine Plan and met preconditions to receive up to EUR50 billion (US$45.6 billion) in support.

On July 23, 2024, the European Parliament Committee on Development elected Barry Andrews, from the liberal Renew Europe group, as its new chair.

In his inaugural speech, Andrews highlighted his commitment to sustainable development, human rights, and economic growth. Andrews emphasized the importance of addressing global inequalities and ensuring that development initiatives are inclusive and sustainable.

It is Andrews’ second mandate as a member of Parliament and as a member of the committee. Andrews has championed the SDGs and Agenda 2030. He previously served as Chief Executive of the NGO GOAL and Director-General of IIEA. He was Minister of State for Children in Ireland in 2008.

In addition to Andrews, first Vice-Chair Isabella Lövin (Greens/ EFA, Sweden), second Vice-Chair Hildegard Bentele ( EPP, Germany), third Vice-Chair Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew, Sweden), and fourth Vice-Chair Robert Biedroń ( S&D, Poland), were also elected during the meeting.

On July 18, 2024, the European Parliament endorsed Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as President of the European Commission through a secret ballot, where she received 401 votes, 41 votes above the 361 votes needed for a qualified majority.

Von der Leyen received 289 votes against, 15 abstentions, and 7 votes were invalid. The secret ballot suggests von der Leyen managed to garner support from a coalition of pro-European, democratic groups across the center-left and right. Experts noted that this could indicate that a centrist coalition is possible, though future policy decisions will need to be built on a case-by-case basis amidst ongoing polarization.

During the debate that preceded the vote, von der Leyen outlined her political priorities for the next five years. The main proposals related to EU global engagement included appointing a Commissioner for Enlargement and one for the Mediterranean, developing a new economic foreign policy through the Global Gateway, and focusing on strategic partnerships, particularly with Africa ahead of the EU-Africa Summit in 2025.

Von der Leyen emphasized the need for the EU to remain a leader in international climate negotiations and proposed new initiatives, such as a European Climate Adaptation Plan and a Clean Industrial Deal. Her agenda included a focus on security and defense, with plans to create a European Defense Union, appoint a new Commissioner for Defense, as well as developing a new European Migration and Asylum strategy and a Pact for the Mediterranean. Von der Leyen's focus on health has decreased since the pandemic, with a focus mainly on a Critical Medicines Act, an action plan for hospital cybersecurity, and a strategy to support medical countermeasures through HERA.

The focus of the EU's new seven-year budget will be on simplicity, flexibility, speed, and strategic priorities. It will streamline funding allocation, moving away from a program-based budget to a policy-based one. External action financing is expected to further align with EU interests. Von der Leyen also highlighted support for the introduction of new EU resources.

Von der Leyen's proposals reflected the current geopolitical landscape and internal EU dynamics, focusing on strengthening the Union’s resilience and strategic interests. Her agenda also proposed a significant increase in research and innovation spending, the establishment of new roles, such as a Commissioner for Equality and a Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, the set-up of a new European Competitiveness Fund, and policies addressing housing, youth, and agriculture.