On 1st of July, Ireland started its 6-month presidency of the Council of the EU. 

Over the next six months, Ireland holds a unique opportunity to steer the approach of the European Union on humanitarian, development, asylum and migration policy.  

Here are our 6 recommendations for the Irish Presidency to make a real difference for people affected by crisis worldwide:

Increased aid to fragile contexts

The Council of the EU has a significant influence in shaping EU humanitarian and development policies.

During its presidency, Ireland should leverage this role to champion an increase in the European Union's ODA to the most fragile and conflict-affected states, including a minimum of €25 billion for humanitarian aid under the next MFF, to ensure aid gets to those who need it most.

Deepened partnerships with civil society

Civil society organisations are essential partners for impactful and needs-based humanitarian and development efforts.

During its presidency, Ireland must protect and promote a deepening of the EU's partnerships with NGOs, civil society and frontline responders, including through the next MFF, to ensure last-mile delivery in hard-to-reach areas.

 

More innovation in aid

In a context of increased needs and shrinking resources, new funding and greater impact are key imperatives.

During its presidency, Ireland should help drive EU support to innovative and cost-effective interventions to maximise impact across key Irish presidency priorities, particularly around health, food security, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and education.

Full delivery of refugee resettlement pledges

EU refugee resettlement pledges are a voluntary agreement made by Member States 
to welcome a specific number of refugees from outside Europe through safe legal pathways.

The Irish Presidency must keep implementation of the 2026–2027 EU resettlement pledges high on the political agenda and encourage Member States to deliver on their commitments.

Safer Pact implementation

With the Pact implementation phase having just started, the Irish presidency must encourage a strong benchmark for rights-based governance on asylum and migration.

It must promote rights-compliant implementation of the Pact, including effective and genuinely independent monitoring mechanisms, access to legal assistance, and safeguards for vulnerable applicants during border procedures.

Refugee relocation as effective solidarity

Finally, the Irish presidency should promote relocation as an effective and tangible expression of solidarity under the Pact, and support practical cooperation among Member States to increase its use.

 

Through these 6 points, Ireland can make sure that its Council presidency mandate supports an EU that lives up to its values and shows up for those who need it most.