The EU has agreed to a mutually beneficial partnership with Mercosur, comprising Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. The landmark deal will secure and diversify the EU’s supply chains, create new opportunities and cut red tape for businesses, and help put a stop to deforestation.
A brand-new Copernicus Sentinel satellite was successfully launched from the European Spaceport in French Guiana on board a Vega C rocket operated by Arianespace on December 5, 2024, at 18:20 local time or 22:20 CEST. The satellite sent its first signal to Earth at 00:12 CET, indicating it was successfully placed into orbit.
To continue delivering cutting-edge Earth Observation data and services freely, to public and private users, the European Commission launched an additional Copernicus Sentinel satellite, called Sentinel-1C. The launch is a result of cooperation with trusted partners, the European Space Agency and Arianespace.
Access to up-to-date radar data will allow public and private entities to improve their decision-making process and better address pressing environmental challenges such as seismic activities, floods and more.
Sentinel-1C will further contribute to detecting and monitoring among others:
Sentinel-1C also reinforces Copernicus, the world’s most advanced Earth Observation system, by ensuring system redundancy and resilience.
“Tonight’s successful launch of the Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite onboard a European launcher, Vega-C, is a key milestone not only for Copernicus but also for the EU Space Programme and the Union overall. In the current geopolitical landscape, autonomous earth observation data and autonomous access to space is even more pivotal for the Union. The Commission is working to ensure that the EU has continuous and independent access both to earth observation data and to space in order to best serve and protect its citizens,” said Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space.
The Sentinel-1 satellite mission continues to advance, bringing new features and capabilities to its wide range of applications.
To improve its ship tracking capabilities, Sentinel-1C will be equipped with an AIS signal antenna. This will complement the satellite’s ability to detect non-cooperative ships by adding the capability to track and identify cooperative vessels. AIS improves Sentinel-1’s ability to monitor the movement of boats, indicating their direction and speed, supporting efforts to detect illegal activities, and helping ships avoid collisions.
Besides having an Automatic Identification System (AIS) signal antenna, Sentinel-1C’s GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers will also be compatible with Galileo. The European Commission, in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), will conduct a demonstration of the Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS). This test will showcase the use of precise point positioning (PPP) enabled by Galileo’s E6 band, achieving onboard real-time accuracy of up to 0.2 metres. The demonstration will use Sentinel-1C’s advanced GNSS receivers and complete multiple orbits during the 6–7-hour test period.
Once operational, Sentinel-1C will ensure the continuity of the Sentinel-1 mission. The satellite will spend the coming months being calibrated before it becomes fully operational. Soon we will receive the first radar image of our planet.
Sentinel-1D construction is also under finalization and will be ready for launch in the coming year, further securing the mission’s long-term future. With Sentinel-1D, the Sentinel 1 mission will return to its nominal two-satellite constellation configuration.
European Commission Speech Brussels, 05 Feb 2025 “From Dialogue to Vision to Action: what is needed for more sustainable and higher welfare animal farming in Europe”
European Commission Statement Brussels, 04 Feb 2025 Ladies and gentlemen,
I am very happy to be here today to present to you the state of our waters in the European Union. As you know, water is very high on the C…
European Commission Speech Brussels, 04 Feb 2025 Ladies and gentlemen,
I am happy to be here today to present to you the state of our waters in the European Union.
As you know, water is very high on the Commis…
European Commission Speech Brussels, 30 Jan 2025 Marshal Hołownia, (Holowna)
Minister Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, (Pelchynska-Nalecz, Katarzyna)
Executive Vice-President Mînzatu,
Mayor Miszalski,(Misalski)
Ladies and g…
European Commission Press release Brussels, 01 Feb 2025 The EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) has entered into force, following the completion of Chile’s ratification process.
European Commission Speech Brussels, 29 Jan 2025 I am delighted to be with you to speak about this important topic. As Commissioner for Equality, I would like to say very clearly: persons with disabilities mus…
European Commission Speech Brussels, 28 Jan 2025 Distinguished guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you for your warm welcome.
It is an honour to join you this evening to speak about the Commission’s a…
On behalf of the current and incoming Security Council signatories to the shared commitments on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, a coalition of nations including Ecuador, France, Guyana, Japan, Malta, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Switzerland, the Republic of Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Greece, and Panama have reaffirmed their unwavering dedication to advancing this vital initiative. This declaration underscores the enduring importance of intergenerational dialogue and the full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation of women in all aspects of peace and security processes.
In the decades since the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the world continues to grapple with alarmingly high rates of armed conflict. These conflicts have devastating consequences, disproportionately affecting women and girls of all ages. Women face heightened risks of sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, alongside widespread violations of their human rights and breaches of international humanitarian law.
The prevention, cessation, and punishment of such violations are imperative for achieving sustainable peace and security. It is essential that the global community continues to denounce these atrocities and hold perpetrators accountable.
History demonstrates that the most successful peace and security processes have benefited immensely from the inclusion of women from diverse societal strata. Despite this, too many peace processes still fail to provide women with meaningful opportunities to participate.
The African Union has set a laudable example, recently committing to a 30% quota for women’s participation in conflict prevention and management missions, peace processes, and election observation missions. The UN Secretary-General’s Common Pledge initiative also reflects promising progress by encouraging mediation actors to take concrete steps to ensure women’s active participation in peace processes.
The recent launch of CEDAW’s General Recommendation No. 40-2024, which emphasizes the equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems, presents a timely opportunity to further elevate women’s roles in peacebuilding. By fostering avenues for women of diverse backgrounds to engage meaningfully in peace and security processes, the international community can strengthen judicial and security sectors while empowering women and girls through knowledge, skills, and capacity building.
Intergenerational partnerships remain pivotal to advancing and sustaining the gains achieved under Resolution 1325 and its successors. These partnerships institutionalize gender-responsive approaches, foster solidarity across generations, and safeguard against regression in rights or representation.
To ensure the success of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, increased investment and focused initiatives are essential. The UN Security Council and its member states must prioritize gender-responsive approaches through peacekeeping mandates, sanctions, accountability mechanisms, and monitoring frameworks. Additionally, humanitarian actions and protective efforts must incorporate gender considerations at every stage.
The United States, in its national capacity, serves as a testament to the importance of women’s leadership in diplomacy. For over 15 years, women have helmed the U.S. mission to the United Nations, a legacy of representation that continues to inspire.
The path forward is clear: Member States must promote the rights of women and ensure their full, equal, and meaningful participation at every phase and level of peace and security processes. Only through sustained commitment, innovation, and implementation of the WPS agenda can the international community fulfill its mandate to maintain international peace and security for all.
This reaffirmation by the Security Council signatories serves as a rallying cry for global action and progress in achieving these shared goals. Let us collectively work towards a future where women’s voices and contributions are integral to building a more peaceful, secure, and equitable world.
