The choices we make now—how we invest in research, support small businesses, safeguard our environment, and equip our workforce with future-ready skills—will shape the prosperity and well-being of generations to come. This is why we will focus in the next 5 years on these building blocks of a more resilient, innovative, and sustainable future for Europe.

In a rapidly changing global landscape, Europe faces growing challenges to its security, cohesion, and values. As local and regional leaders, we prioritise building a ‘Strong and Secure Europe’— strengthening resilience, protecting citizens, and defending democracy—ensuring EU policies respond to local realities while safeguarding our communities in an uncertain world.

We find ourselves today at a critical juncture for Europe—one where democracy, social cohesion, and economic resilience must be reinforced to keep our Union strong and help us meet the internal and external challenges of our time. By working together on these matters, we can turn commitments into action and ensure that no citizen, no community, and no region is left behind.