ST. VINCENT-DEVELOPMENT-CDB, World Bank set priorities to strengthen project implementation in SVG

The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the World Bank (WB) have in collaboration with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines government have determined a set of priority actions to strengthen project implementation and ensure continued alignment with the country’s development agenda.

They have agreed to streamline their portfolios for greater efficiency, deepen their partnership to maximise resources, and assess local market conditions in light of the construction boom and the demand for skilled human resources.

They are also committed to strengthening inter-ministerial coordination, building the capacity of Project Implementation Units, contractors, and consultants, and fostering internal reflection within both institutions to adopt a more client-focused, flexible, and collaborative approach.

According to a statement issued here, the agreements are as a result of the Country Project Portfolio Review that brought together senior government officials, CDB and WB representatives, and key stakeholders to examine the status of jointly financed projects.

The discussions also highlighted national priorities in disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, resilient infrastructure, education, health systems strengthening, and economic diversification.

The statement said that lessons learned were shared from major initiatives such as the Volcanic Eruption Emergency Recovery, Hurricane Beryl Emergency Resilient Recovery, Port Modernisation, Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management, and the Caribbean Digital Transformation.

‘By working alongside the World Bank and the government, CDB is ensuring that investments are both transformative and sustainable, tackling immediate needs while laying the groundwork for long-term growth,’ said CDB acting director of Projects, L. O’Reilly Lewis.

The World Bank Director for the Caribbean, Lilia Burunciuc, also underscored the depth of collaboration, saying ‘this review highlights the strong collaboration between the government, the World Bank, and CDB in addressing urgent recovery needs while advancing reforms that support resilience, innovation, and opportunities for Vincentians’.

Cyprus expects new request for second Gaza flotilla vessel to dock at Larnaka port

Cyprus expects to receive a new request for second Gaza flotilla vessel to dock at Larnaka port, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis told the Cyprus News Agency.

Yesterday there was another request for a vessel carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza to dock to Larnaka port.

Letymbiotis explained that the Cyprus Republic could not deny a request from a ship in its territorial waters and with two persons on board needing medical aid.

The Spokesperson said that the two passengers have chronic medical issues and there were provided with medical assistance.

He added that the assistance requested was provided in accordance to all lawful procedures.

Letymbiotis also told the Cyprus News Agency that the Republic of Cyprus has proven in practice that it responds in a very catalytic manner to its humanitarian role, in accordance with international law and its international obligations.

PRESS RELEASE – UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS

The Oceanography Center of the University of Cyprus coordinates a new research project on climate resilience in the Mediterranean

A transnational alliance of scientific institutions for the protection of the seas through the MedJICARP project

A new research project, led by the Oceanography Center of the University of Cyprus, aspires to change the way the Mediterranean monitors and addresses the impacts of climate change. With a total budget of pound 2,808,453 from the Interreg NEXT MED Programme and a duration of three years, the MedJICARP project brings together scientists and organizations from eight countries, with the common goal of strengthening the region’s resilience to the climate crisis.

The Mediterranean Sea in crisis

The Mediterranean Sea is very sensitive to climate change, warming 20% faster than the global average, with marine ecosystems already impacted. Issues such as rising sea water temperatures, increasing salinity and invasive species, are already affecting sectors such as fisheries and tourism. The eastern Mediterranean in particular, is a hotspot of rising sea water temperatures, and therefore, countries in this region are in urgent need of increased climate resilience and adaptation capacity. As a result of large-scale warming, it is expected that the frequency and intensity of extreme events will increase. Such events include storm surges, erosion, flash floods, and Mediterranean hurricanes (‘Medicanes’). Further, many coastal areas are vulnerable targets for maritime safety and marine pollution. To respond to scientific and societal challenges in the Mediterranean, there is the need for a sustainable and cost-effective multi-platform observing infrastructure.

What MedJICARP will deliver

MedJICARP aims to provide a platform for the exchange of scientific knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned in operational oceanography for climate change monitoring. By combining expertise, modern equipment, and scientific collaboration, MedJICARP aims to:

Establish a transnational monitoring network of the marine environment, collecting and processing real-time data.

Develop forecasting tools for a better understanding of phenomena such as sea level rise and Mediterranean cyclones.

Strengthen civil protection and preparedness by providing authorities and relevant stakeholders with data for targeted adaptation measures.

Support fisheries and maritime businesses with reliable information to help them adapt to changing conditions.

Empower NGOs and civil society by providing access to data, educational tools, and collaborative platforms to promote adaptation policies.

Train and connect researchers and students by offering data and cooperation opportunities that will enhance climate research in the region.

Inform and raise public awareness so that citizens understand the impacts of climate change and actively engage in adaptation actions.

An international collaboration

The project brings together nine leading scientific institutions from eight countries:

University of Cyprus Oceanography Centre (Cyprus) – Coordinator

Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute – CMMI (Cyprus)

Hellenic Centre of Marine Research (Greece)

L-Università ta’ Malta (Malta)

Università degli Studi di Palermo (Italy)

Instituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale – Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (Italy)

National Council for Scientific Research (Lebanon)

National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (Egypt)

National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies (Tunisia)

MedJICARP is funded by the Interreg NEXT MED Programme and aspires to become a reference point for regional cooperation in addressing one of the greatest challenges of our time.

Beyond degrees: Creating future-ready workforce for Sri Lanka

The future of Sri Lanka’s economy depends not only on investment and policy but on how well the country prepares its people for the world of work. The Government is pushing forward with significant reforms to revamp the education system, from modernising curricula to expanding vocational training pathways. These initiatives deserve appreciation. They demonstrate a recognition that the nation cannot build a resilient future with outdated methods of teaching and learning.

In an increasingly competitive world, equipping students and employees with modern skills is crucial for both social progress and economic stability. Yet, despite these promising efforts, fundamental questions remain about whether the country is truly preparing its people to be future-ready and whether the billions spent on free education are delivering an adequate return on investment.

This paradox becomes most evident when examining the unemployment and labour force participation data. According to the Department of Census and Statistics (Q1, 2025), Sri Lanka’s unemployment rate for females stands at 6.3%, compared to only 2.5% for males. On the surface, these numbers may seem modest compared to global extremes, but they mask deeper structural issues. Women make up 51.9% of Sri Lanka’s population, yet their labour force participation rate is only 32%, which is far below the global average. In contrast, men participate at a rate more than double that of women. This is not a story of lack of education. University Grants Commission statistics show that nearly 65% of undergraduate students in Sri Lanka are women. In fact, the highest unemployment rates are reported among those with GCE A/L qualifications and above. The burning question is straightforward: if women dominate universities, where do they stand in the job market?

The answer is complex and sobering. Many women exit the workforce or fail to enter it due to cultural expectations, childcare responsibilities, or a lack of flexible, family-friendly employment policies. Others are qualified but not skilled in ways that match industry needs, reflecting a disconnect between education and employability. Employers repeatedly emphasise that while graduates possess theoretical knowledge, they often lack problem-solving skills, digital literacy, and practical workplace abilities. The outcome is a tragic waste of human potential. Billions of rupees are invested annually in free education, yet the nation struggles to convert this into economic productivity. The return on investment (ROI) is, at best, questionable.

The World Economic Forum’s ‘Future of Jobs Report 2025′ sheds further light on this issue. Globally, the report finds that nearly half of the core skills used in today’s workplaces are expected to undergo significant change within the next five years. Employers predict that by 2030, around 50% of current skills will be obsolete. Already, 44% of workers’ competencies are shifting. These disruptions are driven by technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence, automation, and green technologies, as well as demographic shifts, including population aging. For Sri Lanka, this signals an urgent need to realign its education and labour systems.

Producing graduates is no longer enough; the country must produce future-ready graduates. This places a considerable responsibility on the university system, which serves as the final stage of preparation before young people enter the workforce. Universities must go beyond simply awarding degrees and ensure that students are trained to meet industry needs, adapt to technological disruptions, and contribute productively from the outset of their careers. This requires not only updating syllabi but also embedding practical learning, internships, problem-solving tasks, and digital literacy into academic programs. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, the university system can transform itself into a driver of employability and innovation, rather than a conveyor belt producing certificate holders with uncertain futures.

Skills on the rise (2025-2030)

According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, employers worldwide anticipate a growing demand for analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, and lifelong learning over the next five years. These are not just technical abilities, but also adaptive and human-centred skills that enable workers to thrive in rapidly changing environments. At the same time, more traditional skills, such as manual precision, rote memorisation, and even basic programming, are expected to decline in relative importance.

For Sri Lanka, this means that educational reforms must prioritise both digital skills and soft skills. Schools and universities should place a greater emphasis on problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, environmental stewardship, and leadership, in addition to technical training in areas such as data science, networking, and systems thinking. Promoting these skills from an early stage will ensure that graduates are not only employable but also capable of driving innovation and adapting to the disruptions that will define the coming decade.

One area where the report offers encouragement is in global trends toward training and reskilling. In 2023, only 41% of the worldwide workforce had received sufficient training. By 2025, the figure had risen to 50%. This sharp increase reflects a growing recognition that learning cannot stop at graduation. Employers and governments worldwide are investing in continuous reskilling to keep workers relevant and up-to-date. In Sri Lanka, however, training opportunities are still fragmented and often inaccessible. Mid-career workers, in particular, face limited pathways to upskill, even as industries demand adaptability. If the nation is to compete globally, scaling up lifelong learning must become a national priority.

Employers surveyed by the WEF highlighted analytical thinking, creativity, leadership, and self-management as the most in-demand skills. At the same time, softer human skills, such as empathy, effective communication, and customer orientation, are growing in importance as automation continues to accelerate. These are precisely the areas where Sri Lanka’s traditional rote-learning education model falls short. For decades, education has been geared toward examinations, producing graduates who excel at memorising theory but often lack the creativity and initiative required in modern workplaces. As a result, even university graduates, many of them women, struggle to secure jobs that match their qualifications. This mismatch contributes to the country’s troubling unemployment rates among highly educated individuals.

The government’s reforms should be applauded, but they must be deepened. For instance, digitisation of schools is a positive step, but the content taught must also evolve. Embedding digital literacy, problem-solving, and teamwork into curricula is essential. Moreover, industries must be actively involved in designing university syllabi, ensuring that education is aligned with the demands of the labour market. Without this alignment, graduates will continue to face a disconnect between classroom learning and real-world employability.

Another priority must be reskilling and upskilling mid-career workers. Too often, once individuals leave school or university, formal learning comes to an end. Yet, in today’s economy, skills can become outdated within just a few years. The WEF report emphasises the importance of lifelong learning, and Sri Lanka must embrace this philosophy. The government, universities, and the private sector must collaborate to provide affordable and accessible training pathways for workers at all stages of their lives. Employers must also play a role, co-investing in their employees’ development, as adaptable workforces ultimately benefit business growth.

Digital platforms offer enormous potential

Digital platforms offer enormous potential to extend learning opportunities. Online courses and AI-driven training tools can reach rural areas and underserved communities, bridging gaps in access. Certifications earned online can also help workers prove their skills transparently to employers. By leveraging technology, Sri Lanka can democratise education and bring more people, especially women, into the workforce. Family-friendly policies, flexible work arrangements, and childcare support can further encourage female labour participation, ensuring that the investment in female education translates into economic contribution.

The gender paradox remains perhaps Sri Lanka’s most urgent challenge. With women dominating higher education but being underrepresented in the workforce, the country is failing to capitalise on one of its greatest assets. If 65% of undergraduates are women, then every lost female worker is not just a personal setback but a national economic loss. Closing this gender gap would not only improve fairness and equality but also deliver immense economic benefits. Studies worldwide have shown that higher female labour participation directly boosts GDP growth. For a nation seeking economic recovery and long-term stability, ignoring this potential is no longer an option.

Globally, the World Economic Forum highlights that employers are struggling to find workers with the right skills to meet industry needs. Skills gaps have emerged as one of the primary barriers to business transformation, with many companies identifying them as a greater concern than even technology costs or economic pressures. Sri Lanka is no exception to this trend. Employers here too frequently point out the challenges of recruiting candidates who combine technical expertise with problem-solving ability, adaptability, and workplace readiness. This gap between education and employability is a pressing issue that must be addressed if the country is to achieve sustainable growth.

The way forward is clear. Sri Lanka must accelerate reforms to make education future-focused, ensure training opportunities throughout careers, and implement policies that support women’s entry and retention in the workforce. Employers must be proactive partners in this process, shaping curricula, offering internships, and investing in reskilling. Students and employees must adopt a mindset of lifelong learning, recognising that in the modern economy, adaptability is as important as initial qualifications.

The cost of inaction is high. Every year, thousands of young women graduate with degrees but fail to translate them into careers. Every year, billions are spent on education without yielding proportional economic returns. And every year, employers miss opportunities for growth due to a lack of qualified workers. But with coordinated effort, this cycle can be broken. By leveraging the insights of the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, and by building on the Government’s commendable reforms, Sri Lanka can ensure that its most significant investment-its people-delivers the growth, resilience, and prosperity the nation so urgently needs.

CARIBBEAN-TECHNOLOGY-Latin America and the Caribbean accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence

The Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC) has released a new publication that systematically measures the level of preparedness, adoption, and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) in 19 countries of the region.

The third edition of the Latin American Artificial Intelligence Index (ILIA 2025) was done in collaboration with the National Center for Artificial Intelligence of Chile.

Based on more than 100 sub-indicators organised into three dimensions, namely enabling factors; research, development and adoption; and governance, the report provides a detailed overview of the progress made and the challenges that Latin America and the Caribbean still face in this field.

The results show that the region is accelerating AI adoption, surpassing what might be expected given its digital weight.

According to ECLAC estimates, Latin America and the Caribbean account for 14 per cent of global visits to AI solutions, compared to an 11 per cent share of the world’s internet users. However, this trend is marked by sharp contrasts across countries in the region.

ILIA groups countries into three categories according to their level of maturity: pioneers, adopters, and explorers.

The study highlights significant structural gaps in talent, investment and governance. In particular, advanced training in AI remains insufficient and is concentrated in a small number of countries. Since 2022, the talent gap relative to the global average has widened, associated with an accelerated brain drain of specialists.

In terms of investment, Latin America and the Caribbean account for 6.6 per cent of global GDP, but receive only 1.12 per cent of global AI investment.

‘This severely restricts the region’s ability to scale productive, technological and innovative initiatives, according to the report prepared with the support of the European Union-Latin America and Caribbean Digital Alliance (EU-LAC) project and several academic, public and private organizations.’

The report also warns that, while a growing number of countries have developed national AI strategies, most lack financing, implementation mechanisms and impact evaluation systems, reducing the effectiveness of these policies.

Furthermore, environmental and gender equality approaches are largely absent, despite their importance for sustainable and inclusive development. Policies also tend to focus on regulatory aspects, rather than consolidating a technological ecosystem to support productivity and well-being.

According to the document, AI adoption in the region is concentrated in a small group of countries and is primarily oriented toward the consumption of ready-made, end-user solutions with low technical requirements.

However, the growing interest in such tools creates an opportunity to democratize innovation and strengthen productivity, since AI can generate significant benefits across economies of different sizes and structures-provided there are favorable environments for innovation and entrepreneurship.

‘ILIA 2025 confirms that artificial intelligence can become a driver for overcoming the development traps of Latin America and the Caribbean,’ said ECLAC’s executive secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs.

‘But for this to happen, it is essential to align digitalization policies with productive development policies, including the digital transformation of priority sectors, in order to close infrastructure, talent, innovation and governance gaps, while also advancing regional cooperation to ensure an ethical, inclusive and responsible use of this technology,’ he added.

Salazar-Xirinachs said that AI adoption can contribute, among other areas, to the design of new productive strategies; democratizing access to education, health and other public services; expanding social protection; reducing gender gaps and lowering environmental pollution among other areas.

ECLAC said the Latin American Artificial Intelligence Index is an essential benchmark to guide evidence-based policymaking and to assess the implementation and progress of such policies, ensuring the development of AI that is geared toward a more productive, inclusive and sustainable future for the region.

Hayleys Fibre appoints Ajith Karunarathna to Board

Hayleys Fibre PLC yesterday said it has appointed Ajith Karunarathna to its Board as an Executive Director.

He served as CFO of the eco solution sector at Hayleys Fibre PLC overseeing financial reporting, taxation, IT and related functions.

With over 20 years of experience in finance, he possesses expertise in strategic financial management, operational oversight and corporate governance across a range of industries including healthcare, manufacturing, technology and retail.

Karunarathna holds a BSc in Accountancy and Financial Management with First Class Honours from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK), and the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka.

Eurostat shows explosion in housing prices in Europe, Cyprus relatively stable

House prices in Europe continue to rise rapidly, according to the latest Eurostat data for the second quarter of 2025. Specifically, the average increase in the euro area reached 5.1%, while in the European Union it was 5.4% on an annual basis. Compared to the first quarter of 2025, prices rose by 1.7% in the euro area and 1.6% in the EU.

As for Cyprus, the real estate market shows a relatively stable trend. According to the latest Eurostat data for the second quarter of 2025, house prices in Cyprus do not exhibit the dramatic increases observed in other European countries. Compared to the previous quarter, Cyprus recorded a slight increase of 0.2%, following a 1.1% rise in the first quarter of 2025. On an annual basis, the increase was 1.0%, compared to 2.0% in the first quarter of 2025. The trend indicates a slight slowdown compared to previous quarters.

Regarding the other member states, the highest annual increase was recorded in Portugal (+17.2%), followed by Bulgaria (+15.5%) and Hungary (+15.1%). In contrast, only Finland recorded a decline, with a 1.3% annual decrease.

On a quarterly basis, prices decreased only in France (-0.2%) and Belgium (-0.1%), while the largest increases were observed in Portugal (+4.7%), Luxembourg (+4.5%), and Croatia (+4.4%). Eurostat notes that data for Greece is not available, and estimates for European aggregates were made using data from the Bank of Greece.

CRICKET-IND/WIS-LEAD Tons by Rahul, Jurel, Jadeja help India pile pressure on Windies

Centuries by Dhruv Jurel, Ravendra Jadeja and KL Rahul, have left West Indies with a herculean task if they are to avoid a heavy defeat against India in the opening Test match at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Jurel scored an impressive 125, Jadeja finished unbeaten on 104 and Rahul stroked an even 100, as the home side piled up a massive 448 for five at the close of play on the second day, giving them an already mammoth first innings lead of 286 runs.

India’s batsmen made the visitors toil in the sun all day with little success, with captain Shubman Gill chipping in with a half century against a tame West Indies bowling attack that lacked venom.

Resuming the day on 121 for two with Rahul on 53 and Gill 18, the duo dominated proceedings in the morning session during a 98-run partnership.

Rahul survived a scare in the day’s first over when his outside edge flew between the wicketkeeper and first slip and into the third man boundary, but apart from that was solid in defense and quick to latch onto anything short or wide offered by the bowlers.

They navigated the first hour with ease and Gill brought up his eighth half century in Test cricket with a single off left-arm spinner Khary Pierre.

Skipper Roston Chase got the much-needed breakthrough for the Windies when he had Gill caught at first slip by Justin Greaves as he attempted a reverse sweep, to leave India 188 for three.

Rahul, meanwhile, continued his march to three figures, sweeping Pierre for four to move into the 90s.

He eventually notched his 11th Test century and second at home with a single through midwicket off Chase, as India went to lunch in a strong position of 218 for three, a lead of 56 runs.

The West Indies reaped success again immediately after the break when left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican enticed Rahul into a cover drive that went straight to Greaves without any addition to the score.

In all, Rahul faced 197 balls and hit 12 fours.

Jadeja joined Jurel at the crease and the two crushed any hopes the Windies had of staging a fightback during a backbreaking 206-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Jadeja was in a no-nonsense mood early on, smashing Warrican for two massive sixes and driving Chase down the ground for four.

Jurel reached his half century by cutting Justin Greaves past backward square for a boundary and it didn’t take long for Jadeja to score his seventh fifty plus score in his last nine innings with a quick single off Warrican, as India went to tea at 326 for four.

West Indies took the second new ball in the day’s final session, but it made no difference as the two batters dominated proceedings.

It came as no surprise, therefore, when Jurel, playing in his sixth Test, scored his maiden Test century with a boundary off Chase past mid-off.

Jurel brought up the 200-run partnership with a straight six off Warrican, but after facing 210 balls and striking 15 fours and three sixes, he edged Pierre behind to wicketkeeper Shai Hope to give him his first Test wicket at 424 for five.

While there was little else for the West Indies to celebrate following his dismissal, Jadeja was all smiles when he became the third Indian to reach three figures in the innings, scoring his sixth Test century with a single off Warrican.

Together with Washington Sundar, they navigated the final few overs to ensure India kept the Windies in a stranglehold heading into Saturday’s third day.

PRESS RELEASE – EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Commissioner Tzitzikostas visits Cyprus for maritime conference and presidential talks

Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, will be in Cyprus on Sunday and Monday, where he will meet with Cypriot leaders, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation and attend the Maritime Cyprus Conference 2025, a headline event on the international shipping agenda.

On Sunday, the Commissioner meet with President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, in Nicosia. They will discuss the government’s priorities, as well as solutions to transport and tourism challenges faced by Cyprus. Commissioner Tzitzikostas will also visit a Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) project with Minister of Transport, Alexis Vafeades.

On Monday, Commissioner Tzitzikostas will speak at the Maritime Cyprus Conference taking place in Limassol. The conference brings together more than 1000 participants, including shipowners, shipping executives, regulators, and state officials from all over the world. The Commissioner will notably exchange with Secretary-General of the IMO, Arsenio Dominguez, and Deputy Minister for Tourism, Kostas Koumis. He will also meet with Annita Demetriou, President of the House of Representatives.

During his meetings with Cypriot leaders the Commissioner will discuss major EU files, which will be on the agenda when Cyprus takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026.

(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Anni Juusola – Tel.: +32 2 296 09 86)

Commission consults on revised State aid rules for better access to affordable housing

The European Commission has today launched a public consultation on the revision of the State aid rules to help Member States with affordable housing. This revision of the services of general economic interest (‘SGEI’) rules will address challenges related to housing affordability that go beyond social housing. The goal is to allow EU countries to support affordable housing in a faster and simpler way, by revising SGEI Decision 2012/21/EU. This will contribute to the Commission’s efforts to address European citizens’ housing needs, which will also include a proposal for a European affordable housing plan.

Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera, in charge of competition policy, said: “One of the major social challenges in Europe is the difficulty of accessing affordable housing. Tackling this issue requires joint efforts with different authorities contributing through a wide range of measures. From a competition perspective, we are responding to the requests from national authorities by submitting a concrete proposal for a review of the SGEI rules to facilitate the funding of affordable housing for public consultation today’.

Any interested citizen, business, public authority or association can contribute to the public consultation until 4 November 2025 via the COMP Website.

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774)

Commission restricts the use of ‘forever chemicals’ in firefighting foams

Today, the European Commission adopted new measures restricting the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in firefighting foams under the REACH Regulation, the EU’s chemicals legislation. This is an important measure that protects people and the environment from the risks posed by PFAS.

The restriction marks a major step towards the Commission’s objective to minimise PFAS emissions. Firefighting foams have been a major source of pollution in the EU. Without this restriction, around 470 tonnes of this kind of chemicals would continue to be emitted into the environment every year, contaminating soil and water. Additionally, firefighters would also continue to be exposed to PFAS present in the foams used.

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Rya Perincek – Tel: +32 460 76 25 10)

Commission signs joint procurement contract for COVID-19 vaccines to ensure preparedness and protection of citizens ahead of winter season

The European Commission has signed on the request of 14 countries a joint procurement framework contract with the Spanish pharmaceutical company HIPRA. The participating countries will be able to order up to 4 million doses of the protein-based COVID-19 vaccine Bimervax®, as needed depending on national context and with no minimum number of doses to be bought. The contract will run for a period of up to two years, with vaccines ready for delivery in time for the current vaccination season.

Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, said: ‘With COVID-19 cases and new variants emerging, protection against these viruses is essential, especially for the most vulnerable. With today’s joint procurement, we are enhancing our preparedness and securing a supply of necessary medical countermeasures against the ever-present threat of COVID-19. This vaccine from HIPRA follows an end-to-end approach, from R and D to production, located entirely in Europe, strengthening our strategic autonomy and diversifying our portfolio of vaccines. We are committed to reinforcing our health security for a safer, healthier and better protected Europe.’

While mRNA vaccines are already available, this joint procurement contract increases the options for public health systems by offering protein-based vaccines. This type of vaccine contains fragments of a protein that is unique to the virus. These fragments are enough for the person’s immune system to recognise that the unique protein should not be in the body and responds by producing natural defences against infection by COVID-19.

An added benefit of today’s agreement with HIPRA is that its R and D, production and fill and finish are all located in Europe. This strengthens Member States’s strategic autonomy by shortening the supply chain and reducing reliance on third countries for production and export.

As of April 2025, 38 countries have signed the ‘Joint Procurement Agreement’, a mechanism at the EU level to jointly procure medical countermeasures on a voluntary and flexible basis. This mechanism contributes to EU-level preparedness for public health crises or pandemics.

More information can be found online.

(For more information: Eva Hrncírová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73)

Heilbronn, Assen, and Siena win 2027 European Green Cities Awards

The winners of the European Green Cities 2027 Awards were announced yesterday afternoon. Heilbronn (Germany) will be the European Green Capital in 2027. The European Green Leaf, the award for smaller cities, went to Assen (the Netherlands) and Siena (Italy).

The expert jury crowned Heilbronn as the 2026 European Green Capital winner for successfully top scoring in air quality, water, noise, climate change adaptation and circular economy. The jury was also impressed by the city’s ambitious targets for 2035, as well as the regional collaborations that Heilbronn has built to further improve air quality and noise reduction.

Both Green Leaf winners, Assen and Siena, impressed the jury with their unique approaches to engaging their communities in the green transition. Assen was praised for strong commitment to circularity and climate change mitigation, and innovative waste management policies. The jury also recognised the significant CO2 reductions achieved through building retrofits. The jury commended Siena for its green areas and sustainable land use, as well as effective waste management systems. The jury recognised that the city achieved an impressive 61.4% municipal waste recycling and reduced landfill to just 1%.

The winners will receive a grant for further support in their green efforts: a prize of pound 600,000 for the Green Capital Heilbronn, and pound 200,000 each for the Green Leaf cities Assen and Siena.

This year, a total of 20 cities competed for the awards. An international expert panel of seven independent urban sustainability experts evaluated each application and shortlisted seven finalist cities.

Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall said: ‘The European Green Capital and European Green Leaf Awards each year recognise cities that strive to be at the forefront of urban and environmental sustainability. Cities that – simply put – lead by example. I am delighted to congratulate Heilbronn, Assen and Siena for having been awarded these titles for the year 2027. This is both a recognition and responsibility – you are our new ambassadors of the green transition.’

More information on 2027 European Green City awards is available online. A website on the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards website is also available.

(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 299 63 02; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)

The EU is mobilising emergency support to Democratic Republic of the Congo in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak

The EU is supporting the emergency response to the outbreak of Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, officially declared on the 4 September 2025 by the Congolese ministry of health. With 42 deaths recorded out of 64 cases, the current outbreak has a fatality rate of around 66%. The most urgent priorities on the ground are establishing access to the extremely remote areas and providing health response by medical experts trained in Ebola-specific equipment to help curb the spread of the virus.

The EU, through its Emergency Response Coordination Centre, has mobilised a diverse response package, including:

Deploying a specially equipped helicopter as part of the EU Humanitarian Air Flight operation;

Delivering a temporary office and accommodation set-up in the most affected Bulape province, hosting 36 healthcare experts for three months;

pound 1.8 million in emergency humanitarian funding to strengthen the first response on the ground by our humanitarian partners.

The EU humanitarian aid office in Kinshasa is closely monitoring developments and is liaising with its humanitarian partners on the ground to ensure rapid response in case of further transmission.

The EU’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) has made tackling deadly filoviruses like Ebola and Marburg a top priority. In 2023, HERA signed a pound 7.4 million contract with the World Health Organization (WHO) to support clinical trials for the development of new vaccines and treatments. Through Horizon Europe, HERA is supporting several projects worth pound 36 million to develop early-stage therapeutics and rapid diagnostics, with more medical countermeasures being considered.

Premadasa urges IMF to halt SVAT withdrawal, warns of export sector fallout

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reconsider the Government’s decision to abolish the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) scheme, warning that the move would deal a severe blow to Sri Lanka’s already fragile export-oriented industries.

Premadasa made the appeal during discussions with IMF Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou and IMF Resident Representative Martha Woldemichael at his Colombo office.

He stressed that exporters, grappling with multiple challenges, cannot withstand the withdrawal of SVAT without a viable replacement mechanism.

Highlighting the broader economic context, Premadasa said nearly half of Sri Lanka’s population now lives in poverty, citing recent studies. While the IMF-backed program has spurred short-term consumption, he argued it has failed to stimulate investment, savings, production, or exports which are critical drivers of long-term growth.

He also raised concerns over the plight of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), claiming they have been disproportionately affected by the parate law and the lack of effective debt restructuring or relief. Without targeted support, Premadasa warned, the country risks widespread business closures and job losses.

Calling for a ‘people-centred reform agenda,’ the Opposition leader urged the IMF to back measures that not only ensure macroeconomic stability but also shield industries, safeguard employment and reduce poverty.

The meeting was attended by MPs Harsha de Silva, Kabir Hashim, Eran Wickramaratne, Rishad Bathiudeen, Rauff Hakeem, Harshana Rajakaruna, and S.M. Marikkar representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and Samagi Jana Sandhanaya.