Resilience in focus at CoR bureau meeting in Cyprus

The leadership of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) met in Cyprus on 10 February for a meeting focused on how to boost the resilience of EU's islands, coastal communities, cities and regions.

The discussions, which considered preparedness for crises, reflect the emphasis placed by the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union on developing the Union's autonomy, security and inclusiveness. The CoR's bureau was addressed by Constantinos Ioannou, Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Cyprus, and by Andreas Vyras, President of the Union of Cypriot Municipalities.

The first debate, on digital innovation and research for prepared and resilient cities and regions, focused on data-driven policymaking to enable municipal and regional administrations to pre-empt, monitor, manage and remedy public emergencies. Discussion centred on simulation models that provide virtual replicas of municipal and regional systems - known as 'digital twins' - and particularly the potential of a 'digital maturity assessment tool' co-designed by the CoR, LORDIMAS, that aims to help local, metropolitan and regional governments to understand where they are in their digital transition journey.

The second debate - on 'blue innovation' - considered existing practice and innovations needed by islands and coastal regions to prepare for extreme events, adapt to climate change, engage local communities and the private sector, and manage cross-border cooperation. The European Commission will this year propose a Coastal Communities Development and Resilience Strategy, building on the European Ocean Pact adopted in 2025.

The external bureau meeting of the European Committee of the Regions took place in Nicosia at the invitation of Eleni Loucaidou (CY/EPP), head of the Cypriot delegation in the CoR and member of the municipal council of Lefkosia.

The Cypriot Presidency has outlined three specific referrals for the CoR to assist the Presidency in its work: improving child wellbeing and benefits; creating a safer, more inclusive digital environment for children and young people; and emphasising decentralised cooperation in development aid.

In response, the CoR is currently drafting three opinions, due to be adopted over the course of the next three plenary sessions. In an opinion due for adopted in March, 'Child Wellbeing and Child Benefits - mapping child benefit systems across EU Member States', rapporteur Fauzaya Talhaoui (BE/PES) will present local and regional insights on how to reinforce the European Child Guarantee, advance anti-poverty strategies, and support the implementation of European legal and social rights intended to address early-childhood needs. In May, the CoR is due to vote on an opinion on 'The Protection of Youth and Minors in the Digital Sphere' - by rapporteur Heike Raab (DE/PES) - addressing issues such as the design and enforcement of online safety measures, rights-based standards, and coordination between national authorities. On 1-2 July, the CoR will set out how cooperation with local and regional authorities can support the EU's external actions, by strengthening stability and resilience. The rapporteur is Magali Althounian (FR/RE), chair of the CoR's Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs (CIVEX).

The CoR's bureau meets outside Brussels twice a year, typically in the country that holds the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

More information:

• Meeting documents: Agenda and background documents.
• Statements from the meeting: Europe by satellite (12h CET).
• Watch the event again (with link to the webstreaming).