The Mayor of Portimão – Portugal -
Isilda Maria Prazeres Gomes
was elected chair of the European Committee of the Regions' commission for Natural Resources (NAT) at the constitutive meeting on 5 October. Ms Gomes,
is a member of the CoR European Socialists Group and will chair NAT's work over the forthcoming two and half years, until the end of CoR current five-year mandate.
The NAT commission of the European Committee of the Regions brings together
over 100 mayors, councillors and regional presidents to ensure that EU's
legislation responds to the needs of local communities in key policy areas
such as rural development, public health, agriculture and food, forestry,
maritime policy – blue economy and fisheries, civil protection, tourism and
consumer protection. The Rural Agenda for Europe and public health are at
the core of the CoR political priority "Building resilient communities".
Isilda Maria Prazeres Gomes
(PT/PES)
commented on her election saying: "I am proud and honoured for being
elected Chair of the NAT commission today. The numerous crises we are
currently facing - from the wildfires during the summer to the war in
Ukraine – clearly show that Europe needs to become more resilient and
sustainable. The NAT commission can play a decisive role when it comes to
addressing major challenges of the future: rural development, agriculture
and resilient food systems, health and civil protection, as well as
sustainable tourism. These are major areas in which regions and cities can
make a difference to build a better and more inclusive Europe."
Congratulating the new Chair,
CoR President Vasco Alves Cordeiro
said: "Every day that passes makes our action on strengthening our cities
and regions's preparadness to crises more and more urgent. It is a great
news for our institution and all local and regional authorities that Isilda
Gomes is elected Chair of the European Committee of the Regions' Commission
for Natural Resources. Counting on her solid experience and commitment, we
will be able to play a stronger role on strategic dossiers like sustainable
agriculture, rural agenda, sustainable food, but also the European Health
Union and sustainable tourism."
Isilda Maria Prazeres Gomes
has been a CoR member since 2020.
The new first vice-chair for the NAT commission is
Radim Sršeň CS/EPP)and the second vice-chair is
Willy Borsus (BE/Renew Europe).