EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib will visit Cyprus on 6–7 May 2026, taking part in a series of events focused on fire risk management and social inclusion, the European Commission said.
During her visit, Lahbib will participate in the 3rd Euro‑Mediterranean Workshop on Fire Risks, co‑organised by the European Commission, Cyprus on behalf of the Council of the EU, and the Union for the Mediterranean. The workshop will address both wildfires and industrial fire risks, reflecting growing concern that fire emergencies pose a systemic regional challenge requiring integrated and cross‑sectoral responses. The discussions follow the recent adoption of a Commission communication on integrated wildfire risk management and a proposal for a Council Recommendation on the issue.
The Commissioner will also visit the new EU firefighting hub near Paphos. Announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the hub aims to strengthen the EU’s capacity for rapid wildfire response and provide training. Recent wildfires in several member states have underscored the need for stronger cross‑border cooperation.
On 7 May, Lahbib will attend a high‑level conference in Cyprus on the inclusion of persons with disabilities, where she will present the enhanced EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to 2030. She is also scheduled to meet Cyprus’s Deputy Minister of Social Welfare and the President of the European Disability Forum.