From 1 January to 30 June 2024, Belgium is holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union. The presidency of the Council rotates among European member states and changes every six months. Our role during the presidency is to coordinate the functioning of the Council and promote cooperation among member states.
For the public health domain, the Belgian presidency will focus on three major themes: care, preparedness and protection.
The FAMHP will take this opportunity to put a number of points on the agenda that will be essential in connection with European health policy in the coming years. In total, the FAMHP will host more than 20 technical meetings and high-level events.
The most important themes for the FAMHP during the presidency will be:
- Antimicrobial resistance
First of all, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to public health today and in the future. The European Union must become more resilient to AMR by implementing effective measures to optimise the use of antibiotics. This can be encouraged by conducting research into and developing new antibiotics and ensuring sustainable access to existing antibiotics.
- Crisis management
Crisis management within the EU must be strengthened to address future health threats more quickly and efficiently. We can do this by supporting healthcare systems, by encouraging intensive innovation and by organising the supply of medicines more effectively.
- Unavailability
Drug unavailability also remains a major bottleneck. The FAMHP is continuing to collaborate with our expert working groups to create structural solutions. But developing joint actions on a European level with our international partners will continue to be important. Amongst other things, the aim of those actions includes addressing acute shortages and strengthening supplies of essential medicines.
- Unmet medical needs
Belgium is one of the pioneers of clinical research. The European Union makes this possible through funding and enabling legislation. During the presidency, the FAMHP intends to focus on research and innovation in the area of unmet medical needs by identifying and evaluating them and setting priorities.