European External Action Service

World leaders are set to gather in New York for the Summit of the Future (22-23 September). They will agree on a Pact for the Future that will address pressing global challenges and chart the path ahead to a better tomorrow. Now, more than ever, youth voices matter! #OurVoiceOurFuture brings messages from youth across the world to the global conversation. Let's hear it from Amélé Padanou in Bénin. 👇 

Participating in a seminar in Ventotene in Italy HR/VP Josep Borrell reflected on what has been achieved in Europe since 1941 but also on what remain to be done in the current tense geopolitical context. Read more: https://europa.eu/!KVNYtb

The European Union and its member states are pushing for meaningful reform of the global financial architecture. Created 80 years ago, the current financial system no longer reflects today’s realities. Here’s our Deputy Secretary - General Simon Mordue on why and how 👇

Two years after Mahsa Hamini’s death, HR/VP Josep Borrell takes stock of EU-Iran relations in his new blog post, detailing the sanctions the EU has imposed on the regime. https://europa.eu/!ggXkYp

Disasters know no borders, and neither does EU 🇪🇺 solidarity. When forest fires or an earthquake hits a country in or outside Europe, it can request the European emergency assistance by activating EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Since its launch in 2001, the Mechanism has responded to over 650 worldwide requests for assistance. Check out how it works in practice. 👇 #EUCivilProtection EU in Emergencies

In his latest blog, HR/VP Josep Borrell reflects on the speeches of President Zelenskyy and Queen Rania of Jordan at the Ambrosetti Forum and on the imperative for the EU to act to defend international law. Read the blog here: https://europa.eu/!xkCfKk.

International Day of Democracy:   Democracy cannot be taken for granted, it’s a daily endeavour.   Join us in listening to the voices of youth on the importance of elections in fostering democracy worldwide. From respecting fundamental human rights to empowering youth, electoral processes are essential to building trust and creating resilient societies.   The 🇪🇺 EU Election Observation Mission to Jordan shines a spotlight on youth perspectives, raising awareness about the crucial role of elections in strengthening democratic processes.   #DemocracyDay

The #EUBeachCleanup campaign continues on beaches, rivers, forests and cities across Europe. At the end of August, a group of 30 volunteers from different countries gathered on the Romanian beach of Sulina to collect 170 bags of waste 💪 And that's not all. Some of the waste was also mapped to help ongoing research into the pollution of the Danube Delta, and to help develop strategies to protect this ecosystem. The #SeaStartsHere, join the wave and help us make a change.

“The EU stands by the Lebanese people to help overcome threats and challenges,” said HR/VP Josep Borrell during his visit to Lebanon this week.  During his trip, HR/VP Borrell visited the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, where he paid tribute to the 10,000 peacekeepers working to prevent further escalation in this strategic region. He met with key leaders, including Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Abdallah Bou Habib, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun. He also had an exchange with the Druze leader Wald Jumblatt and parliamentarians.   The visit was an opportunity to reaffirm the EU’s support for Lebanon’s resilience and stability, including through reforms and the completion of the institutional transition, and to discuss the broader situation in and around Gaza.

🇪🇬 Egypt was the first stop on the HR/VP Josep Borrell trip to the Middle East, to engage with the EU’s partners amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Talks focused on mediation efforts led by Egypt, the US, and Qatar, as well as the EU’s role in easing human suffering in the Strip. The discussions also touched on the broader regional situation. “The EU and Egypt are strategic partners on all levels—from economic development to building peace across the region,” said HR/VP Borrell during his visit in Egypt.   On Monday, HR/VP Borrell was in Cairo, where he met with President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. He also had exchanges with the Foreign Ministers of Bahrain Abdellatif bin Rashid Al-Zayan, of Iraq Fuad Hussein, of Kuwait Abdullah Al-Yahya and of Türkiye Hakan Fidan.   The HR/VP visited Rafah (on the Egyptian side) to meet with representatives of UN agencies, the Red Crescent and the Emergency Rescue Committee (ERC). While there, he inaugurated an EU-funded project aimed at supporting Gazan children and their caregivers in Egypt.   On Tuesday, HR/VP Borrell met with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and addressed the League of Arab States Ministerial Meeting in Cairo with a call to not give up efforts to bring peace in the Middle East.