The European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, defended on Friday at the Forum Europa in Brussels the need to increase women's participation in the EU's innovation sector so as not to "lose half of our continent's talent" in a context of "demographic crisis".

At an informative meeting organised by New Economy Forum in the EU capital, Zaharieva addressed the main challenges facing the European research and innovation ecosystem, including greater participation by women in this field.

Zaharieva acknowledged that "the data is not positive" in terms of women's participation in innovation, despite the fact that "women outnumber men" when "they graduate and become doctors, exceeding 50%".

The European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, said on Friday at the  Forum Europa in Brussels that the EU must become "the home of scientific freedom" and "a beacon for the world", where innovation can "flourish and prosper".
 
Zaharieva addressed this issue at an informative meeting organised by New Economy Forum in the EU capital, where she stated that "scientists must be free to ask the big questions, without being limited by anyone's agenda".
 
The Bulgarian commissioner said that "the freedom of expression and scientific freedom that we value so much are under threat" in the current context, which is why she considered it essential for Europe to position itself as a global leader in these areas.
 

The European Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, stated this Friday at Forum Europa in Brussels that “air quality is not good in Europe, but much better than elsewhere”.

Roswall pointed out at this information session organized by New Economy Forum in the EU capital that she maintains “very close contact” with all countries to help them improve their air pollution levels.

Last week, the European Commission took Bulgaria, Lithuania, Portugal, and Sweden to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to meet their commitments to reduce emissions of several air pollutants.

The European Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, acknowledged this Friday at the Europa Forum in Brussels that “no country” in the EU will meet the Water Framework Directive targets for 2027, which aim to achieve good ecological and chemical status in all water bodies.

Roswall pointed out at this event organised by the New Economy Forum in the EU capital that, nevertheless, this does not mean the EU is lowering its ambition in this area. “We all want and need clean water, not just for drinking, of course. Our industries need it too”, she added.

The European Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, advocated this Friday for “investing” in nature and climate so that the EU does not lose its global competitiveness, although she acknowledged that the current international context is “difficult” for environmental protection and the fight against climate change.

At this briefing organised by New Economy Forum in the EU capital, Roswall emphasised that she has attended G-7 and G-20 meetings, as well as other international gatherings, such as the negotiations for a treaty to reduce plastic pollution, and has observed that “it is becoming difficult” to demonstrate ambition on environmental issues.