Commissioner Lahbib to open the 9th European Civil Protection Forum

On Tuesday, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, will open the 9^th edition of the European Civil Protection Forum. The Forum, taking place on 3 and 4 Novembre, will bring together over 1,900 participants from around 80 nationalities, including high-level representatives, civil protection professionals, first responders and experts, to discuss crisis preparedness and response and showcase innovative solutions to strengthen Europe's resilience.

This year's edition will mark the 25th anniversary of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which enables countries hit by disasters to request emergency assistance from across Europe. Testimonials from beneficiaries will highlight the Mechanism's impact on the ground. Participants will include representatives of national civil protection authorities, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, non-governmental organisations, businesses, as well as two participants of the Citizens' Panel on Preparedness held earlier this year. Around 100 young people aged 18–30, including young firefighters and representatives of youth organisations, will also take part in the Forum.

The event will feature a Civil Protection Village with almost 60 organisations across 50 stands to showcase a wide range of projects and initiatives in civil protection and crisis preparedness, including EU-led projects. Seven live outdoor demonstrations open to the public will present equipment, technologies and operational solutions for disaster preparedness and response. A first-ever Speakers' Corner will also offer short, engaging talks on civil protection and crisis preparedness.

Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said:

'When floods rise, wildfires rage, the ground shakes or in any other disaster, no country should face these alone. In our darkest moments, Europe stands together. For 25 years, and more than 900 times, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has turned solidarity into action, sending firefighters toward the flames, rescue teams into the rubble, and vital support to communities in Europe and around the world. At the European Civil Protection Forum, we will build on that solidarity together to strengthen our resilience and anticipate future crises.'

For further information and livestreams, visit the European Civil Protection Forum 2026 webpage.