Hemicycle, European Parliament – 10th / 11th December 2025
The EU’s Committee of the Regions hosted its final plenary session of the year on the 10th and 11th December in the European Parliament’s Hemicycle. The two-day session was marked by Irish involvement including a debate with Commissioner Micheal McGrath on the Democracy Shield and the Rule of Law as well as the first item of the session ‘Conclusions on the ‘2025 Forum of Cities and Regions for International Partnerships’ with MEP Barry Andrews.
The debate on the ‘2025 Forum of Cities and Regions for International Partnerships’ noted how the event provides a meeting point for EU local and regional administrations and regions and cities in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the EU’s neighbourhood. This year’s forum focused on ‘Localising Global Gateway’ and highlights existing examples of how local and regional authorities are ensuring that EU investment is aligned with local needs and sustainability goals.
Speaking during the debate MEP Barry Andrews noted that global gateway offers a 350 degree approach to supporting local and regional governments. He also noted that having started his political career in local and regional government he is perfectly placed to represent the their views in the Global Gateway. He used the speech to note that 65% of the UN’s SDG targets require local and regional involvement. Local and regional authorities create the enabling environments for the global gateways success.
This was followed by a vote on the CoR’s opinion on the same topic, which was successfully adopted.
The plenary next turned its attention to rapporteur Alberto Cirio’s (IT/EPP) opinion on the AI Continent Action Plan. The opinion highlights the significant opportunity for the European Union to address deep territorial imbalances in innovation and productivity by embedding artificial intelligence into its economic and social fabric. Speaking during the debate the rapporteur noted that “Europe must accelerate the creation of a dynamic, innovative AI ecosystem to secure our future independence and strategic autonomy. We, as local and regional leaders, call on the EU to invest in a sovereign and resilient AI ecosystem, reduce dependence on non-EU technologies and strengthen Europe’s industrial and digital sovereignty. This includes establishing AI factories, data labs and gigafactories across EU regions, backed by clear guidelines, greater investment in skills, and updated funding models to prevent digital divides. Regions and cities play a key role in deploying AI for essential services – from health care and mobility to energy efficiency and urban management – through place-based strategies. For example, AI-driven software and flow-management tools have already cut emergency room waiting times by more than 55%.”. The opinion was adopted.
Following this, the plenary voted upon Anne Rudisuhli’s (FR/RENEW E.) opinion “Local and regional perspectives in the implementation of the European Internal Security Strategy ProtectEU”. Speaking before the vote on her opinion, the rapporteur noted that “We are facing serious threats to our infrastructure, including organized crime, radicalization, cyberattacks, and the online exploitation of minors. This is why my opinion calls for the recognition of the crucial role played by local authorities in the new European security strategy. ProtectEU must equip territories with practical tools, as they are on the front line — detecting early warning signs and implementing effective preventive policies.” The opinion was adopted.
The next opinion for adoption was Erika Von Kalben’s (DE/GREEN+PRO) “Critical Medicines Act”, speaking during the session, the rapporteur noted that “Medicine shortages are a growing threat to Europe’s health systems and our security. The Critical Medicines Act is a key opportunity to strengthen Europe’s resilience — but only if regions are firmly involved. Our opinion reinforces regional cooperation to secure a reliable supply of essential medicines, a cornerstone of an independent and united Europe in uncertain times.” The opinion was adopted.
This was followed by Hanna Zdanowska’s (ES/PES) opinion “Action Plan for Affordable Energy – How to secure affordable stable and clean energy for all EU cities and regions” which the rapporteur summed up in her opening statement “No citizen in Europe should have to worry about whether they can heat their home or keep the lights on. Affordable, secure, and clean energy is a basic condition for dignity, development and social cohesion. When discussing the energy transition, we should consider national challenges, opportunities, needs, and socio-economic contexts, as well as the specific characteristics of the regions. And we – local governments, but also our residents and businesses – face many challenges in this transition, from limited financial and organizational resources to
The EU’s Committee of the Regions hosted its final plenary session of the year on the 10th and 11th December in the European Parliament’s Hemicycle. The two-day session was marked by Irish involvement including a debate with Commissioner Micheal McGrath on the Democracy Shield and the Rule of Law as well as the first item of the session ‘Conclusions on the ‘2025 Forum of Cities and Regions for International Partnerships’ with MEP Barry Andrews.
The debate on the ‘2025 Forum of Cities and Regions for International Partnerships’ noted how the event provides a meeting point for EU local and regional administrations and regions and cities in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the EU’s neighbourhood. This year’s forum focused on ‘Localising Global Gateway’ and highlights existing examples of how local and regional authorities are ensuring that EU investment is aligned with local needs and sustainability goals.
Speaking during the debate MEP Barry Andrews noted that global gateway offers a 350 degree approach to supporting local and regional governments. He also noted that having started his political career in local and regional government he is perfectly placed to represent the their views in the Global Gateway. He used the speech to note that 65% of the UN’s SDG targets require local and regional involvement. Local and regional authorities create the enabling environments for the global gateways success.
This was followed by a vote on the CoR’s opinion on the same topic, which was successfully adopted.
The plenary next turned its attention to rapporteur Alberto Cirio’s (IT/EPP) opinion on the AI Continent Action Plan. The opinion highlights the significant opportunity for the European Union to address deep territorial imbalances in innovation and productivity by embedding artificial intelligence into its economic and social fabric. Speaking during the debate the rapporteur noted that “Europe must accelerate the creation of a dynamic, innovative AI ecosystem to secure our future independence and strategic autonomy. We, as local and regional leaders, call on the EU to invest in a sovereign and resilient AI ecosystem, reduce dependence on non-EU technologies and strengthen Europe’s industrial and digital sovereignty. This includes establishing AI factories, data labs and gigafactories across EU regions, backed by clear guidelines, greater investment in skills, and updated funding models to prevent digital divides. Regions and cities play a key role in deploying AI for essential services – from health care and mobility to energy efficiency and urban management – through place-based strategies. For example, AI-driven software and flow-management tools have already cut emergency room waiting times by more than 55%.”. The opinion was adopted.
Following this, the plenary voted upon Anne Rudisuhli’s (FR/RENEW E.) opinion “Local and regional perspectives in the implementation of the European Internal Security Strategy ProtectEU”. Speaking before the vote on her opinion, the rapporteur noted that “We are facing serious threats to our infrastructure, including organized crime, radicalization, cyberattacks, and the online exploitation of minors. This is why my opinion calls for the recognition of the crucial role played by local authorities in the new European security strategy. ProtectEU must equip territories with practical tools, as they are on the front line — detecting early warning signs and implementing effective preventive policies.” The opinion was adopted.
The next opinion for adoption was Erika Von Kalben’s (DE/GREEN+PRO) “Critical Medicines Act”, speaking during the session, the rapporteur noted that “Medicine shortages are a growing threat to Europe’s health systems and our security. The Critical Medicines Act is a key opportunity to strengthen Europe’s resilience — but only if regions are firmly involved. Our opinion reinforces regional cooperation to secure a reliable supply of essential medicines, a cornerstone of an independent and united Europe in uncertain times.” The opinion was adopted.
This was followed by Hanna Zdanowska’s (ES/PES) opinion “Action Plan for Affordable Energy – How to secure affordable stable and clean energy for all EU cities and regions” which the rapporteur summed up in her opening statement “No citizen in Europe should have to worry about whether they can heat their home or keep the lights on. Affordable, secure, and clean energy is a basic condition for dignity, development and social cohesion. When discussing the energy transition, we should consider national challenges, opportunities, needs, and socio-economic contexts, as well as the specific characteristics of the regions. And we – local governments, but also our residents and businesses – face many challenges in this transition, from limited financial and organizational resources to