NAT members discuss resilient EU strategies on crisis preparedness, tourism, and medicines

Members of the Commission for Natural Resources (NAT) of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) held a meeting on 11 July to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the European Union regions today: crisis preparedness, sustainable tourism and medicine security. The debates highlighted the need for more resilient EU strategies that reflect territorial realities and strengthen the role of local and regional authorities in shaping and implementing effective responses. 

European Preparedness Union Strategy 

The EU faces a rapidly evolving risk landscape — from geopolitical instability and cyberattacks to climate change and natural disasters. To strengthen its preparedness and resilience, the EU must adopt a proactive mindset — planning ahead and taking preventive measures to reduce risks and minimise damage before crises occur. The proposed European Preparedness Union Strategy seeks to bolster the EU’s ability to anticipate and respond to crises. During the debate, members of the NAT commission emphasised the need for a proactive approach, involving all levels of government and society and called for a greater role of local and regional authorities in implementing the strategy and adapting actions to local realities.  

The appointed rapporteur Maria Isabel Urrutia De Los Mozos (ES/EPP), Regional Minister, Government of Cantabria: “It is about coordinating and implementing the necessary instruments so that Europe is prepared from the local and regional level to respond to any sort of threat, crisis or emergency that may arise and to do so together. When Europe acts in a united and coordinated way, we achieve better results; together, this is how we managed to overcome the pandemic, we protected our citizens and economies, and we emerged stronger to face future challenges together. Now Europe has to show the same initiative, the same drive and the same tenacity as it did in these and many other cases.” 

Towards sustainable and resilient tourism in the EU  

Europe is the world’s most popular destination, yet this popularity comes at a cost. Overcrowding and impacts on natural resources and on infrastructure are increasingly in the spotlight. Following the CoR’s Plenary debate of 2 July, in which local and regional authorities urged Commissioner Tzitzikostas to work hand in hand with cities, villages and regions to shape the future EU strategy for sustainable tourism, NAT members discussed how the green and digital transition might strengthen resilience and improve adaptative governance for tourism. Fifteen years after the original tourism strategy, the EU needs a new policy framework for sustainable tourism. 

Rapporteur Margarita Prohens Rigo (ES/EPP), President of the Balearic Islands Government: "The pressure on territory, natural resources, water, mobility, public services, and the coexistence with residents makes an urgent transformation of tourism necessary. That is why we presented the opinion ‘Towards Sustainable and Resilient Tourism in the European Union’ at the European Committee of the Regions — a strategy for balanced and adaptive management. Only by acting systemically will we be able to transform tourism together, achieve a balance between tourists and residents, preserve natural resources, and above all, increase social cohesion and the competitiveness of European regions.”

Critical Medicines Act  

The pandemic and geopolitical tensions have highlighted the importance of availability and affordability of medicines, as a key pillar of a strong European health union. Meanwhile, medicine shortages have increased, and the EU is heavily dependent on certain foreign suppliers for key active pharmaceutical ingredients. The Critical Medicines Act aims to strengthen the security of supply and the availability of critical medicines within the EU, facilitating investment in major projects, promoting collaborative procurement and striving to build broader international cooperation. During the debate, NAT members explored regional roles in healthcare, challenges in budgeting and procurement, and called for greater supply-chain diversification and pricing transparency. 

Rapporteur Erika Von Kalben (DE/Greens), member of the State Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein and previously rapporteur on an opinion on addressing medicine shortages (June 2024): “The Critical Medicines Act is an important step towards reduce Europe’s dependency and strengthen supply security. Shortages of essential medicines have hit many people in our regions hard, especially in rural and vulnerable areas. Having critical medicines in stock is not just good policy, it’s preparedness and resilience. For this challenge, we need strong European solutions and sustainable pharmaceutical production that protects public health across all communities.” 

The three draft opinions will be adopted by members of the NAT commission during their next meeting on 23 September. 

Background 

• Video and photos from the meeting.  

Contact 

Hélène Dressen
Tel: +32 471502795
Helene.dressen@cor.europa.eu