Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Rotating Presidency

EU Member States hold the Presidency of the Council on a rotating basis for six months at a time. During this period, the presiding Member State chairs meetings at all levels of the Council and helps ensure the continuity of the Council’s work.

The Member States holding the Presidency work closely together in groups of three, known as trios. This system was introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009. Each trio sets long-term objectives and prepares a common agenda outlining the main topics and issues to be addressed by the Council over an 18-month period. On the basis of this programme, each of the three Member States prepares a more detailed programme for its respective six-month Presidency.

The order in which Member States will hold the Presidency of the Council until 2030 is available here.

Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, January–June 2026

General priorities of the Cyprus Presidency

• Defence and security
• Protecting people and strengthening border security
• Increasing resilience to foreign interference and disinformation
• Ensuring a secure and open business environment
• Green transition
• A competitive and resilient agricultural sector
• Health security

Priority areas of the Cyprus Presidency relevant to the Ministry of Environment

The Cyprus Presidency will focus on strengthening European Union action on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, while ensuring that environmental policy remains ambitious, proportionate and practical to implement.

Its priorities include water resilience, climate policy, the circular economy, regulatory simplification, affordable housing and international environmental cooperation. Alongside legislative work, the Presidency will seek to improve procedures, support investment and coordinate preparations for major international environmental and climate processes.

Water resilience and climate adaptation

The Presidency will support the implementation of the European Water Resilience Strategy and contribute to the development of a new EU climate adaptation plan. It will also seek closer integration of water policy with agriculture, energy, tourism and climate action.

Climate policy

Work will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport and advancing discussions on the EU Emissions Trading System and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

Circular economy and zero pollution

The Presidency will promote more efficient use of resources and further progress towards a circular and zero-pollution economy, with particular attention to waste policy and chemicals management.

Simplification of environmental legislation

The Environmental Omnibus package will be an important part of the Presidency’s work. It is intended to simplify requirements concerning industrial emissions, the circular economy, environmental assessments and geospatial data while maintaining a high level of protection for the environment and human health.

Particular attention will be given to faster and clearer permitting procedures, especially for projects involving digital infrastructure, critical raw materials and affordable housing. These changes are also expected to support the EU’s transition towards a clean and digital economy.

Affordable housing and social sustainability

Cyprus will seek to support an increase in the supply of affordable and sustainable housing across the European Union by encouraging public and private investment and improving the exchange of knowledge and reliable data between Member States.

Although housing policy remains a national competence, the Presidency will address housing affordability as an important factor in social inclusion, a fair green transition and the response to demographic challenges. Work will include preparations for Council conclusions on the European Affordable Housing Plan and discussions on sustainable housing policy.

International environmental cooperation

The Presidency will coordinate EU positions in international environmental and climate processes and support preparations for major global meetings and negotiations.

Legislative priorities

During the Presidency, work in Council working parties, the Environment Council and negotiations with the European Parliament is expected to focus on:

• advancing discussions on the circular economy, particularly the circular economy mini-package, end-of-waste criteria and preparations for the planned Circular Economy Act;

• opening negotiations on the revision of the REACH Regulation on chemicals;

• advancing negotiations on the Regulation governing the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA);

• making progress on the Environmental Omnibus package, Omnibus VIII, covering waste directives, the Industrial Emissions Directive, the simplification of environmental permitting and the INSPIRE Directive;

• advancing discussions on CO₂ emission performance standards for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles;

• urgently considering a targeted amendment to the CO₂ emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles;

• negotiating amendments to the Market Stability Reserve under the EU Emissions Trading System in relation to ETS2;

• considering the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism Regulation and the establishment of a Temporary Decarbonisation Fund.

The European Commission is also expected to present a proposal for the revision of the Water Framework Directive, together with proposals concerning the BBNJ Directive on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.

Non-legislative initiatives

The principal non-legislative initiative of the Cyprus Presidency will be the preparation of Council conclusions on the European Union Bioeconomy Strategy. The conclusions are expected to be adopted at the Environment Council in March 2026.

Environment Council meetings

Informal Environment Council

Cyprus, 5–6 February 2026

The meeting is expected to address water resilience and climate adaptation, the outcomes of COP30 and preparations for COP31, as well as the circular economy mini-package ahead of the planned Circular Economy Act.

Environment Council

Brussels, 17 March 2026

Ministers are expected to adopt Council conclusions on the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and exchange views on CO₂ emission standards for cars and light commercial vehicles.

Environment Council

Luxembourg, 25 June 2026

The Council is expected to seek a general approach or consider a progress report on CO₂ emission standards for cars and light commercial vehicles.

Directors’ meetings in Cyprus

The following meetings are scheduled to take place during the Cyprus Presidency:

• Informal Meeting of EU Forest Directors, April 2026

• Nature Directors’ Meeting, April 2026

• Meeting of EU Directors-General for the Environment, May 2026

• Meeting of the Working Group on Groundwater with the European Commission, May 2026

• Informal Meeting of EU Water and Marine Directors, June 2026

Other events in Cyprus

• Workshop on international climate change issues, January 2026

• WPIEI Global meeting, March 2026

• Green Spiders meeting of EU environmental communicators, March 2026

• EuroGeoSurveys General Assembly and workshop for directors of geological surveys, March 2026

Key international events

• High-level event in preparation for the United Nations Water Conference, Senegal, January 2026

• IPBES Plenary, Manchester, United Kingdom, February 2026

• International science-policy panel on chemicals, waste and pollution, Geneva, February 2026

• INC-5.3 negotiations on plastic pollution, Geneva, February 2026

• Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species, CMS COP15, Brazil, March 2026

• UNFCCC preparatory meetings, Bonn, June 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the Presidency of the Council of the European Union?

It is a six-month period during which an EU Member State organises and chairs the work of the Council and helps Member States reach agreement on common decisions.

What is CBAM?

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism helps ensure that certain products imported into the European Union are subject to carbon-related requirements comparable to those applied to products manufactured within the EU.

What is ECHA?

The European Chemicals Agency supports the implementation of EU chemicals legislation and contributes to the safe use of chemicals across the European Union.

More information about the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union is available here.