INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE Region IN TORUŃ

Success for the Marshal and the Region in Brussels! The head of our region has been elected Chair of the Commission for Natural Resources (NAT) in the European Committee of the Regions. This achievement confirms the growing role of our region in European affairs, particularly in environmental protection and rural development. The unanimous appointment of Marshal Piotr Całbecki to this position is a mark of trust and recognition for his previous work on opinions related to rural development, food security, and the future of the Common Agricultural Policy. This is the highest nomination for a representative of our country in the Committee of the Regions during this term.

 

“I am honored and grateful for the trust placed in me. I look forward to fruitful cooperation, your support, and engagement. This is a great responsibility but also an opportunity to shape the future of agriculture, rural areas, and natural resources in the EU. The NAT Commission stands at the heart of crucial challenges. Our term will determine the future of agricultural policy, launch the European Readiness Strategy, and redefine Europe’s geopolitical strategy, prioritizing resilience and preparedness across various aspects of life. Our cities and regions must be better prepared for climate and demographic changes, wars, and economic crises. We will do our utmost to ensure that the Common Agricultural Policy provides stable food supplies, secures farmers’ incomes, protects the environment, and sustains rural development. Furthermore, we must ensure that all Europeans have equal access to healthcare services,” said Marshal Piotr Całbecki in his speech following the election. “Agriculture is the foundation of Europe’s economic, social, and cultural cohesion—its future must be our priority.”

 

Marshal Całbecki announced that his priority will be to further advocate for the interests of our region, strengthen the role of regions in shaping the EU’s future policies, and support local sustainable development initiatives that significantly impact residents’ quality of life. The Vice-Chairs of the NAT Commission are Roberto Ciambetti, President of the Regional Council of Veneto, Italy, and Fernando López Miras, President of Murcia, Spain.

 

The newly appointed NAT Commission will play a key role in shaping the long-term vision for rural areas in the EU and programming cohesion policy beyond 2027.

 

As a member of the NAT Commission, Marshal Całbecki has worked on opinions concerning rural development, food security, and the future of the Common Agricultural Policy. In 2023, Toruń hosted an external meeting of the NAT Commission along with a conference on the food crisis. Upon the Marshal’s invitation, Members of the European Parliament, experts from the European Commission and the United Nations, as well as academics and representatives of NGOs gathered in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region.

 

The NAT Commission comprises over 100 mayors, councilors, and regional leaders, dealing with topics related to rural development, health, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, civil protection, consumer protection, and tourism. NAT is one of the key working committees of the Committee of the Regions, which serves as an advisory body in EU structures, representing the voice of regions in Brussels.

 

First Plenary Session of the New Committee of the Regions Term

 

Marshal Piotr Całbecki also participated in the plenary session that inaugurated the 8th term of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR). The agenda included:

• A debate with António Costa, President of the European Council, on the role of local and regional authorities in EU development,
• A discussion led by Raffaele Fitto, Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms, on the role of local governments in shaping a renewed cohesion policy,
• Talks on the housing crisis and the importance of supporting rural development in the EU beyond 2027.

 

On the second day of the session, Kata Tüttő, Deputy Mayor of Budapest, was elected as the new President of the Committee of the Regions, while Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, President of Andalusia, Spain, became the First Vice-President.

 

The plenary session was highlighted by the Paweł Adamowicz Award ceremony. The 2025 laureate was Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv, for his leadership and defense of human rights and democracy during the war. A special jury distinction was awarded to Bassam Aramin and Rami Elhanan, representatives of Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF), an organization bringing together Israeli and Palestinian parents who have lost their children in the conflict.

 

Beata Krzemińska
Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office

 

February 21, 2025