EP: UN climate summit and talks with UN high commissioner for refugees

While a parliamentary delegation is in Glasgow this week for the UN COP26 climate change conference, a two-day plenary session begins in Brussels on Wednesday, with speakers including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

UN Climate Summit COP26
 A European Parliament delegation is at the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland. MEPs call for faster global climate action. The EP is urging all G20 countries to commit to climate neutrality by 2050 and to set aside at least $100 billion a year in climate finance for developing countries.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees in the EP
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grand will address the plenary on Wednesday; he will also hold discussions with representatives of political groups.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees in the EP 
The EU‘s response to the public health crises, the rule of law in Poland, energy prices, migration and trade will be the topics MEPs discussed during a debate with European Council President Charles Michel at the EU summit on 21-22 October. European Council and Commission statements on the issue are scheduled for Wednesday.

Corporate tax disclosure
A new law requiring multinational corporations to publicly declare what taxes they pay in each EU country to public and tax authorities, also known as public reporting by country, is to get final approval from MEPs. It will be debated on Wednesday and voted on Thursday.

EU Asylum Agency
MEPs should give final approval to the creation of the EU Asylum Agency. The former Asylum Support Office (EASO) will be transformed into a fully fledged agency and given greater powers to facilitate cooperation between member states (vote Thursday).

Media Freedom
(SLAPP) MEPs will on Thursday put forward a series of proposals to counter the threat posed to journalists, NGOs and civil society by the Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP).

EP on Poland‘s de facto abortion ban
MEPs will adopt a resolution on the first anniversary of the “de facto abortion ban in Poland“. The EP notes that the controversial ruling of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal limited legal abortion only to cases of rape, incest or threat to the life of the pregnant woman. The vote will take place on Thursday.

European political parties and foundations
The European Parliament is to adopt recommendations aimed at strengthening democracy in Europe. Among the proposals are cutting red tape, making donations more transparent and withholding funds from parties that do not respect EU values. The debate and vote on the issue will take place on Thursday.

Facebook whistleblower
MEPs discussed with Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen on Monday the negative impact of big tech companies‘ business models on users and society, and how this can be addressed through EU digital legislation. The public hearing was organised by the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee in cooperation with several other committees.