On 1 July 2025, Denmark assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.  

Under the theme ‘A Strong Europe in a Changing World’, the Danish Presidency is placing strong emphasis on security, resilience, and broader geopolitical responsibility, areas where civilian crisis management plays a key role. Topics that intersect with civilian crisis management, such as gender equality and climate action, are also central in the Presidency’s programme.

Civilian-Military Cooperation and Preparedness

A core focus of the Presidency is strengthening Europe’s ability to respond to complex crises, both civilian and military. The Danish programme highlights the importance of implementing the EU Preparedness Union Strategy, improving civil-military coordination, and deepening cooperation with NATO. These goals closely reflect the CoE’s mission of enhancing the EU’s civilian crisis management capacity through support to Member States and institutions.

Support for Ukraine

The Presidency reaffirms the EU’s commitment to Ukraine, not only through military and economic assistance, but also via civilian support and institutional reform. Denmark’s agenda emphasises continued backing for the EU Advisory Mission in Ukraine and the improved integration of European and Ukrainian defence industries.

Enlargement and Rule of Law

The Presidency is also advancing the EU’s enlargement agenda, with Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans in focus. The enlargement process requires resilient, accountable public institutions in candidate countries, an area where the CoE's work can help shape reform and capacity-building efforts.

This includes the work of EU civilian CSDP Missions in Ukraine (EUAM), Moldova (EUPM), Georgia (EUMM), Armenia (EUMA), and Kosovo (EULEX), which contribute directly to stability, governance, and rule of law in the EU neighbourhood.

The Presidency is also driving the EU's efforts to strengthendemocratic resilience through protecting against hybrid threats, recognising this as essential to internal and external security. 

Gender Equality

The Danish Presidency places a strong emphasis on advancing gender equality across the EU. This includes a focus on preventing and responding to gender-based violence, strengthening early intervention systems, and actively involving men and boys in equality efforts. It highlights the need for men and boys to not only be allies, but to become aware of their own challenges within gender equality, like harmful gender norms, unrealistic ideals of masculinity and misogynistic online content. 

Climate and Environmental Security

The green transition is also a key aspect of the Presidency’s programme, within which it is viewed as essential for a resilient, competitive, and secure Europe. Denmark aims to lead efforts to set 2040 climate targets ahead of the EU’s next major climate contribution at COP30. Environmental priorities also include strengthening the circular economy, promoting resource efficiency, and protecting biodiversity, marine environments, and water systems.

At a global level, the Presidency aims to maintain and strengthen the EU’s leadership in multilateral environmental negotiations. 

The CoE’s role

The CoE welcomes the Presidency’s inclusion of the civilian dimension of security in its programme, along with its focus on gender equality and climate action, both of which are cross-cutting priorities in the Centre’s work.

In the context of civilian crisis management, these themes are deeply interconnected:

• Gender equality is critical to inclusive, effective responses in crisis contexts and is a key principle in all stages of planning, training, and mission operations. 

• Climate change acts as a risk multiplier, increasing the likelihood of instability, displacement, and governance challenges, all of which require effective civilian action. 

The CoE will support the Danish Presidency priorities by:

• Assisting Member States in fulfilling their national commitments under the Civilian CSDP Compact;

• Providing an informal platform for strategic exchange on civilian crisis management topics; 

• Supporting Denmark in organising events related to the Presidency priorities;

• Facilitating the exchange of good practices among Member States to enhance the EU’s civilian crisis management.

We look forward to building on synergies between the CoE’s work and these priorities to contribute to the Danish Presidency’s agenda.