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.

Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, July–December 2026

Ireland assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2026 and will hold it until 31 December 2026. This is the eighth time Ireland has held the Presidency.

The Irish Presidency is guided by the principle Ní neart go cur le chéile, meaning “Strength with unity”. Its programme is organised around three closely connected priorities: competitiveness, values and security.

Competitiveness

Ireland will work to simplify EU rules, strengthen the Single Market and improve conditions for investment and innovation. Particular attention will be given to the energy transition, clean and affordable energy, critical infrastructure and affordable housing.

Values

The Presidency will support democracy, the rule of law, human rights and social inclusion. It will also promote continued support for Ukraine, international cooperation and a strong multilateral system.

Security

The programme covers defence, internal security, economic resilience and the protection of critical infrastructure. Environmental security also forms part of this priority, including climate action, biodiversity protection and the transition to a circular economy.

Ireland, Lithuania and Greece Presidency trio

Ireland begins a new 18-month Presidency trio with Lithuania and Greece. The three countries have prepared a common programme covering the period from 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2027.

Lithuania will assume the Presidency immediately after Ireland, from 1 January to 30 June 2027. Greece will follow from July to December 2027.

Close cooperation between Ireland and Lithuania is particularly important for ensuring the orderly handover of legislative files and international environmental processes that may continue into Lithuania’s Presidency.

The trio programme is based on three broad priorities:

• a free and democratic Europe;
• a strong and secure Europe;
• a prosperous and competitive Europe.

Priority areas relevant to the Ministry of Environment

Climate policy and preparations for COP31

During its Presidency, Ireland will coordinate the European Union’s preparations for the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP31, which will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026.

Ireland has indicated that its approach will be based on focused priorities, continuous climate diplomacy and cooperation with international partners. Work will also continue on the EU’s 2040 climate target, the post-2030 climate and energy framework and measures to strengthen resilience to the effects of climate change.

Circular economy

The European Commission is expected to present the European Circular Economy Act in autumn 2026. Ireland intends to begin Council discussions on the proposal during its Presidency.

The initiative is expected to support the development of a Single Market for secondary raw materials, increase the supply of high-quality recycled materials and strengthen demand for their use. Ireland considers the circular economy an important part of both environmental policy and the wider EU industrial and competitiveness agenda.

Simplification of legislation and procedures

The Irish Presidency will give priority to the EU’s Omnibus simplification packages and to reducing unnecessary administrative burdens.

The objective is to establish a clearer and more coherent regulatory framework that supports the development of critical infrastructure, clean energy and affordable housing while maintaining a high level of protection for the environment and human health.

Biodiversity and nature restoration

The Presidency will support continued EU leadership on biodiversity and coordinate preparations for the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, COP17.

COP17 will take place in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October 2026. It will include the first global review of collective progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

EU-level discussions will also address nature restoration, ecosystem resilience, biodiversity financing and the implementation of existing nature protection commitments.

Forests and the bioeconomy

The common programme of Ireland, Lithuania and Greece recognises the contribution of forests to climate change mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity protection and the sustainable supply of renewable materials.

During its Presidency, Ireland will host meetings of EU Forest Directors and the Global Bioeconomy Summit. These events will provide opportunities to discuss sustainable forest management, resilient value chains, bio-based innovation and the role of the bioeconomy in strengthening European competitiveness.

Water resilience, oceans and marine policy

Water resilience and sustainable ocean governance will form an important part of the environmental agenda.

Ireland will host an EU Ocean Act Conference in Wexford on 7 and 8 July 2026. The conference will contribute to preparations for the future European Ocean Act, planned for 2027. The proposed legislation is intended to improve coordination between maritime policies, strengthen marine spatial planning, support the restoration of marine ecosystems and promote a sustainable blue economy.

The Presidency will also facilitate cooperation between EU water and marine authorities. International water policy will receive further attention ahead of the United Nations Water Conference in Abu Dhabi from 8 to 10 December 2026.

Affordable and sustainable housing

Affordable housing forms part of the Irish Presidency’s competitiveness and social policy agenda. Ireland will support work on increasing housing supply, improving investment conditions and establishing a clearer regulatory framework for housing development.

The Presidency calendar includes an informal meeting of EU housing ministers, meetings on homelessness, urban development and architectural policy, and cooperation on Building Information Modelling.

These discussions are particularly relevant to Lithuania as it prepares to take over the Presidency and continue EU work on affordable housing during the first half of 2027.

Selected Presidency meetings and events relevant to the Ministry of Environment

Environment and climate

• Presidency Workshop on International Climate Issues, Dublin, 7–8 July 2026
• Informal Meeting of Environment Ministers, Dublin, 23–24 July 2026
• Meeting of Directors-General for the Environment and Climate, Dublin, 21–22 September 2026
• Environment Council, Luxembourg, 12 October 2026
• Environment Council, Brussels, 11 December 2026

Nature, forests, water and the circular economy

• EU Ocean Act Conference, Wexford, 7–8 July 2026
• Meeting of Nature Directors, Wicklow, 14–16 September 2026
• Global Bioeconomy Summit, Dublin, 20–21 October 2026
• Meeting of EU Forest Directors, Dublin, 20–22 October 2026
• European Mission Soil Week, Dublin, 17–18 November 2026
• Water and Marine Directors Meeting, Cork, 23–25 November 2026

Housing, urban development and architecture

• Meeting of the Urban Development Group, Dublin, 25 September 2026
• Meeting of European Directors for Architectural Policies, Dublin, 19 November 2026
• European Architectural Institutes Conference, Dublin, 20 November 2026
• European Conference on Architectural Policies, Dublin, 21 November 2026
• Informal Meeting of Housing Ministers, Dublin, 25–26 November 2026
• European Platform on Combatting Homelessness, Dublin, 25–27 November 2026
• Meeting of the EU Building Information Modelling Public Officials Group, Dublin, 10–11 December 2026

The full and regularly updated calendar of Irish Presidency events is available here.

Key international environmental events

UN Biodiversity Conference COP17

Yerevan, Armenia, 19–30 October 2026

The conference will assess progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and consider further action on biodiversity protection, restoration and financing.

UN Climate Change Conference COP31

Antalya, Türkiye, 9–20 November 2026

Ireland will coordinate the preparation and presentation of common EU positions during the conference.

United Nations Water Conference

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 8–10 December 2026

The conference will focus on accelerating the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation and strengthening international cooperation on water management.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the Irish Presidency particularly important to Lithuania?

Ireland holds the Presidency immediately before Lithuania. Close cooperation between the two countries is therefore essential to ensure the smooth handover of ongoing legislative files, international negotiations and other Council work.

When will Lithuania hold the Presidency?

Lithuania will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 January to 30 June 2027.

What happens to files that are not completed during the Irish Presidency?

Legislative and policy files that are not concluded by the end of 2026 may continue during Lithuania’s Presidency. Ireland and Lithuania will therefore coordinate closely on the priorities, progress and next steps for each file.

Which policy areas will be particularly relevant to the Ministry of Environment?

The Ministry’s responsibilities during Lithuania’s Presidency will cover a broad range of areas, including climate policy, environmental protection, the circular economy, forests, biodiversity, water and marine policy, housing and international environmental cooperation.

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