A high-level conference on crisis management in the Union and around the world, organized today by the European Commission together with the Geneva Security Policy Centre, examines ways to anticipate and manage crises, and addresses issues such as sharing of knowledge to help better address future risks. The event brings together 100 high-profile speakers and participants involved in formulating crisis management from EU and Member State institutions, international partners and academia.
The need for improved crisis management has arisen due to serious and complex cross-border threats in recent years, such as Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, and numerous humanitarian crises.
The Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarchichhe has declared: “We live in a time of crisis. Disasters of all kinds are now part of the daily reality of Europeans and Europe’s resolve is constantly tested by ever-increasing combinations of threats. This conference is an opportunity to consider how to produce a European culture of crisis management stronger and more coordinated, which places decision-making processes based on scientific data at the centre.”
The Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Iliana Ivanovahe has declared: “Citizens clearly want the EU to be strong and resilient in the face of the crises that will hit the continent. This is why the conference, supported by data provided by the Commission’s internal science hub, is so important. Together we must better anticipate the crises, manage them using research and innovation, adapt and become more resilient.”
The Commission’s Joint Research Center is carrying out research on crisis management technologies, satellite image processing and analysis, and systems to support the EU’s capacity to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters. In a report published this week, the Joint Research Center examines the cross-border and emerging risks facing Europe.
