Von besonderem Interesse

The Committees on Foreign Affairs and Development, and the Subcommittee on Human Rights in a joint meeting will discuss the nominees for this year’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought on 26 September. Each year, the Parliament awards the Sakharov Prize to honour exceptional individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. In 2021, the prize was awarded to Alexei Navalny, Russian activist and political prisoner.

The Committee on Transport and Tourism will hold an exchange of views with Mr Mustafa Nayyem, Ukrainian Deputy-Minister of Infrastructure on 26 September. Deputy-Minister will bring more updates on the current logistics situation in Ukraine since his last visit, including the new 'grain corridor' via the Black Sea.

The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs will hold the third Monetary Dialogue of the year with the ECB President on 26 September. It takes place in a challenging environment, marked by strong inflationary pressures, ECB Governing Council rising the key ECB interest rates and approving the Transmission Protection Instrument. The topics of interest of the Committee are assessment of the ECB's current monetary policy stance, and anti-fragmentation as new tool in the toolkit.

The Subcommittee on Security and Defence will debate with Deputy Minister of Defence Jan Jireš, who will present the priorities of the Czech Presidency in the area of security and defence on 26 September. The discussions will focus on the proposed Regulation establishing the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act, the ongoing work on development of the Hybrid Toolbox, and the proposal to establish a European Union Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine.

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy will debate with Mr Juhan Lepassaar, Executive Director of ENISA on the latest development of Cybersecurity in the Union and the work of ENISA on 26 September. Topics of interest include the current cybersecurity threat landscape, the impact of the war in Ukraine, cybersecurity legislation proposals, and advances on cybersecurity certificate schemes.

The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety will hold debates to address the issue of climate adaptation and learn the lessons from the droughts, forest fires and flooding, on 26 September. The Members will hold a debate with Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management. They will also hear from the European Drought Observatory. Hans Bruyninckx, the Executive Director of the EEA will discuss better prevention and adaptation to climate-related risks.

The Committee on Development will debate with the European Commission the humanitarian situation in Pakistan and the EU response to the floods on 26 September. Torrential rains during the recent monsoon season have led to the worst floods in Pakistan’s history, with approximately one-third of Pakistan covered by water. 1,500 people have been killed and 13,000 injured; nearly 2 million houses have been destroyed or damaged, and around 7.6 million people were temporarily displaced.

The Subcommittee on Human Rights will hold a hearing on Protecting Indigenous Peoples' Rights in Brazil on 26 September. The hearing will follow up Parliament's call for indigenous peoples' rights to be fully protected, including their land, territories and resources. The focus will be on priority issues, including criminalisation and attacks against indigenous leaders, grabbing and environmental destruction, as well as participation by indigenous peoples in decisions that affect them.

The Fact Sheets on the EU provide an overview of European integration and of Parliament's contribution to that process. They present a brief overview of the EU's institutions and policies, and of Parliament's role in their development. Available in 24 languages, they cover five main areas: how the EU works; economy, science and quality of life; cohesion, growth and jobs; fundamental rights, security and justice; and the EU's external relations. The online version is updated regularly.