European Commission - Daily News Daily News 24 / 04 / 2026 Brussels, 24 April 2026 EU and partners sign the Global Green Bond Initiative Fund to mobilise up to €20 billion in investments for sustainable infrastructure The European Union and partner development finance institutions have signed the Global Green Bond Initiative (GGBI) Fund , a new public-private investment tool to mobilise up to €20 billion of private c...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 24 / 04 / 2026 Brussels, 24 April 2026 EU and partners sign the Global Green Bond Initiative Fund to mobilise up to €20 billion in investments for sustainable infrastructure The European Union and partner development finance institutions have signed the Global Green Bond Initiative (GGBI) Fund , a new public-private investment tool to mobilise up to €20 billion of private capital for sustainable infrastructure projects in low and middle-income countries. European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “With the Global Green Bond Initiative Fund, Europe underlines its leadership in sustainable finance. We will mobilise billions in private investment into our climate and environmental goals. Together with our partners we are reshaping how the world funds its future. This is more than finance; it's a strategic choice to align economic resilience with climate justice – for our planet and for generations to come.” The GGBI Fund is one of the three pillars of the Global Green Bond Initiative, a flagship of the European Union's Global Gateway strategy. It aims to unlock up to €3 billion in green bonds in partner countries and help finance activities that support climate and environmental goals. The fund will invest exclusively in bonds issued in primary markets, prioritising first-time issuers like governments, local authorities and businesses. At least 20% of investments will target the world's least developed countries, with support for bonds in both local currency and euro. This will help strengthen local capital markets and promote the international use of the euro. As a leading worldwide green bond issuer, the EU will promote high environmental standards and share best practices with partner countries. A joint press release is available online. (For more information: Guillaume Mercier - Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Luca Dilda - Tel.: +32 2 295 21 53) Commission renews youth board advising on global issues The European Commission has renewed the EU Global Youth Sounding Board (YSB), strengthening its commitment to engaging young people in shaping EU external action. The new cohort will serve from April 2026 to April 2028. The new cohort brings together 25 young leaders aged 18–30 from 25 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe. With strong representation of women and a diversity of backgrounds, including fragile contexts, the YSB reflects the priorities and realities of EU partner countries. First launched in 2021, the YSB provides the Commission with structured advice from young people worldwide. Members contribute with concrete recommendations to inform the design, implementation and monitoring of EU policies and programmes. By doing so, the Commission's policies on global issues can reflect better young people's needs and realities. The YSB advises across key priorities, including Global Gateway, migration and mobility, and global challenges such as climate and digitalisation. It also connects with local Youth Sounding Boards established by EU Delegations in over 50 partner countries, ensuring that local perspectives feed into global EU decision-making. On this occasion, Jozef Síkela , Commissioner for International Partnerships, said: “ Our investments in global development are meant to build a better future for today's youth. They must have a real voice in shaping our efforts, and the Youth Sounding Board gives us a direct way to hear their ideas and reflect them in our priorities. Together, we can strengthen Europe's partnerships with the world and make them even more impactful. ” The YSB is a key commitment under the Youth Action Plan in EU external action , which aims to build a genuine partnership between the EU and young people worldwide and support progress towards the United Nations' 2030 Agenda. More information is available online . (For more information: Guillaume Mercier - Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Luca Dilda - Tel.: +32 2 295 21 53) EU to strengthen regional dimension of research and innovation The European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions have signed a new Joint Action Plan to enhance the role of cities and regions in shaping the EU's research and innovation (R&I) agenda. This initiative aims to reinforce the regional and local dimension of EU Research & Innovation policies, support the implementation of key Commission initiatives at local and regional levels, and facilitate the exchange of expertise and data between the two institutions. The Action Plan sets out four concrete priorities: building strong local and regional innovation ecosystems, facilitating the green and digital transition, raising awareness of Horizon Europe funding opportunities, and supporting evidence-based policymaking. It builds on the success of the first Joint Action Plan (2020–2025) which has already enabled closer collaboration between the Commission and the Committee of the Regions on research and innovation policies, ensuring a more integrated approach. Regions remain at the heart of the EU's research and innovation agenda. A press release is available online. (For further information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 298 20 54) European Youth Week 2026 to drive youth engagement across Europe Today, the European Youth Week 2026 starts all around Europe, lasting until 1 May and bringing together young people, organisations, and institutions for a week of celebrating youth engagement, as part of the European Commission's commitment to mainstreaming the voice of young people in EU policy-making. Around 1,000 young people will participate in the kick-off event in Brussels, welcomed by video message from Ursula von der Leyen , President of the European Commission, and Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament. Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef was at the kick-off event and participated in a conversation with young citizens and representatives from Member States and EU institutions. This year's edition will focus on solidarity and fairness, highlighting social inclusion and equal opportunities for young people. The events are accessible through an interactive map on the European Youth Portal . Additionally, the events provide a platform for dialogue between young people and EU decision-makers, complementing the ongoing youth policy dialogues with Commissioners. The European Youth Week will also feature a dedicated event celebrating 30 years of EU volunteering, from the European Voluntary Service to today's European Solidarity Corps. Commissioner Micallef said: “Young people are the beating heart of Europe. The European Youth Week is dedicated to them - to their dreams, ideas, and creativity. It celebrates young people by giving further opportunities to make their voices heard and get involved in shaping Europe's future. For some, this may be the beginning of their journey towards active citizenship. In 2026, the European Youth Week will highlight once again the importance of listening to young voices and ensure that solidarity and fairness remain at the centre of our policies.” More information on European Youth Week is available online. (For more information: Eva Hrnčířová — Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65) Commission allocates exceptional support for Slovak milk and pigmeat sectors following foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks Yesterday, the Member States endorsed the European Commission's proposal to mobilise €2.1 million of exceptional support to Slovakia's milk and pigmeat sectors. The sectors were severely impacted by foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in March and April last year. The measure aims to mitigate income losses by farmers who suffered from movement restrictions and prolonged rearing periods imposed to contain the disease. The support will compensate farmers for undelivered raw milk, extended fattening periods for pigs, and for prolonged or delayed rearing of piglets and sows. Slovakia swiftly contained the outbreaks thanks to the implementation of emergency measures, as set by EU animal health rules, including movement bans and surveillance zones. The Commission's intervention ensures farmers will receive rapid relief, as payments to beneficiaries are required to be paid by 30 September 2026. This measure underscores the EU's commitment to support farmers facing crises beyond their control. (For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 2 296 97 76; Kateřina Horáková - Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10) Commission seeks feedback on upcoming EU aviation and aeronautic strategy The Commission has launched work on an EU Aviation and Aeronautics Strategy and is inviting citizens, businesses, and stakeholders to share their feedback through a call for evidence . The Strategy will set out a comprehensive framework to strengthen Europe's aviation and aeronautical sectors at a time of heightened uncertainty. The sectors deliver significant economic value and connectivity but are currently facing a challenging operating environment, marked by rising energy costs, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and intensifying global competition. Against this backdrop, the Strategy will focus on boosting the sectors' competitiveness, resilience, and decarbonisation, while preserving Europe's strategic autonomy and industrial leadership. It will accelerate the green and digital transitions, mobilise investments in innovation, ensure a level playing field, and maintain the highest safety standards. It will also strengthen the aviation sector's capacity to respond to crises and security challenges. The Strategy will also promote an air transport sector that serves citizens and businesses effectively, ensuring connectivity across the Union. Furthermore, it will prioritise maintaining a skilled and motivated workforce that underpins the sector's success. The consultation is open until 21 May 2026 and is available on the Have your Say portal in all official EU languages. (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Anni Juusola - Tel.: +32 2 296 09 86) Commission clears acquisition of Groupe Atlantic by Paloma Rheem The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Atlantic Société Française de Développement Thermique (‘Groupe Atlantic') of France by Paloma Rheem Holdings Co. (‘Paloma Rheem') of Japan. The transaction relates primarily to heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited market positions resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website , in the public case register under the case number M.12334 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Commission clears creation of joint venture by Züblin and Geiger The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by Ed. Züblin AG (‘Züblin') and Geiger Bauwerksanierung GmbH & Co. KG (‘Geiger'), both of Germany. The transaction relates primarily to the distribution of cathodic corrosion protection systems for steel concrete structures in Germany. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture has negligible activities in the European Economic Area and the companies' limited market positions resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website , in the public case register under the case number M.12350 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioner Kubilius visits Lithuania to advance work on EU Eastern border resilience Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius is in Lithuania today for a series of engagements focused on strengthening the EU's security and resilience on its Eastern border. During the visit, Commissioner Kubilius will deliver a keynote speech at the conference, ‘Strengthening Resilience of the EU Eastern Border'. The conference will address the challenges faced by EU Eastern border Member States in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, with discussions focused on strengthening defence and security, enhancing societal and economic resilience, and identifying strategic solutions for the future. In the afternoon, the Commissioner will visit the Pabradė Training Area, where he will discuss strengthening of the EU Eastern Flank and cooperation in defence with NATO allies together with Lithuanian Minister for Defence Robertas Kaunas. The visit will conclude with discussions with Kristupas Vaitiekūnas, Lithuania's Minister of Finance, on European Commission initiatives in the field of security and defence. ( For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel: +32 2 299 10 99; Marine Strauss – Tel: +32 2 298 91 03) Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings Note that these items can be subject to changes. Upcoming events of the European Commission Eurostat press releases Calendar items of the President and Commissioners Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners MEX/26/880
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