27e session de la Conférence ministérielle de la Francophonie

La République démocratique du Congo abritera le XIVe Sommet de la Francophonie du 12 au 14 octobre 2012

The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) took part in the UN climate change conference (COP17) in Durban, South Africa (28 November – 9 December 2011).  Although the science of global warming is clear and the role that sustainable low-carbon transport can play in addressing climate change is well known, little progress appears to have been made in terms of achieving a binding agreement in the UN climate talks.

EU leaders will meet in Brussels on Friday, but ahead of the Summit most of Europe's leading politicians will attend the European People's Party's 20th Congress in Marseille. Currently a majority of governments in the EU are led by political parties belonging to the EPP family. Parliament's President Jerzy Buzek, Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Council President Herman Van Rompuy and EPP Group Chairman Joseph Daul will of course all be in Marseille to attend the Congress, which will be chaired by EPP President Wilfried Martens.

Key stakeholders gathered in the European Parliament yesterday to debate proposals on improving the clinical trials framework in Europe. At an event hosted by MEP Prof. Philippe Juvin and organised by EuropaBio, experts from patient groups, industry, academia, regulatory agencies, ethics committees and EU institutions gathered to further discuss ways to move forward in the upcoming revision of the Clinical Trials Directive and to present their respective proposals for the revision.

The European Commission has today presented an 80 billion EUR investment programme to boost research, innovation and competitiveness in Europe. Leo Sun, President of Huawei's Brussels Office and Europe Affairs Department, welcomed today’s launch of the Horizon 2020 programme and said: "This is a significant proposal from the European Commission to strengthen research and innovation in Europe and boost international cooperation. R&D is a strategic domain for economic growth and development.