This month, Poland has assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union with the motto 'Security, Europe!', underscoring the pressing challenges facing the continent in this time of conflict. Over the next six months, Poland will steer work across all levels of the Council, aiming to foster cooperation, consensus and solidarity among the EU Member States. This marks Poland’s second presidency since joining the EU in 2004, the first time being in 2011.
During its presidency, Poland will prioritise efforts to bolster seven key dimensions of European security:
- defence and security;
- protection of people and borders;
- resistance to foreign interference and disinformation;
- ensuring security and freedom of business;
- the energy transition;
- competitive and resilient agriculture; and
- health security.
In the domain of Justice and Home Affairs, the presidency will address critical challenges, including managing migration, combatting transnational organised crime, countering terrorism and radicalisation, and upholding fundamental rights, the rule of law and the vital role of civil society.
In the field of drugs, Poland now chairs the Council’s Horizontal Working Party on Drugs (HDG)(1), with six meetings scheduled with the EU Member States and EU institutions, and additional dialogues on drugs planned with international partners (including Central Asia, the United States and Brazil). High-level and technical meetings will be held with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) countries and special discussions on drugs organised with Ukraine and Moldova. The presidency is placing the accent on prevention, whether this be related to crime, drug use or drug-related harms.
Additionally, Poland will lead the EU delegation at the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (10–14 March 2025, Vienna) and organise a meeting of National Drug Coordinators in Warsaw (23–24 April), which will focus on future challenges in the drugs field.
Throughout Poland’s presidency, the EUDA will play a key supporting role. The agency will contribute expertise and evidence-based analysis to inform the HDG’s discussions and support policymaking. It will also actively participate in dialogues with international partners, ensuring that global and regional approaches to drug challenges are grounded in the latest research and best practices. The EUDA’s involvement will help strengthen collaboration across Member States and promote innovative, effective solutions to the complex issues surrounding drug policy.
