On Thursday and today (22-23 October), Equality; Preparedness and Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib (pictured) is visiting Czechia. She will meet with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and exchange with government officials on the EU Preparedness Union Strategy, including the importance of a whole-of-society approach to anticipate, prevent, and respond to crises, involving public authorities, businesses, civil society and citizens.
Building on Czechia’s experience with recent emergencies, including wildfires in recent years and devastating floods in 2024, discussions will also address European cooperation and solidarity in crisis preparedness and response.
On Thursday, the Commissioner visited the Roma Holocaust Memorial in Lety, where she will reaffirm the EU’s commitment to never let such atrocities happen again, and the need to address the continued inequalities and discrimination faced by many Roma across Europe. She will then deliver a keynote speech and doorstep address at the Resilient Europe 2026 conference in Prague, and discuss the importance of strengthening Europe’s preparedness and resilience in the face of evolving risks and crises. Her participation was broadcast on EBS. Following the conference, she will meet with Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar, Foreign Affairs Minister Petr Macinka, and members of the European Affairs Committee of the Parliament.
Ensuring that no one is left behind when building a more resilient society will also be a key focus of the visit. The Commissioner will take part in a roundtable with civil society organisations to discuss key equality priorities, including Roma inclusion, the rights of persons with disabilities, gender equality and LGBTIQ+ rights.
Today (23 October), she will meet with Prime Minister Babiš and visit a firefighting station.
