George Boustras, Professor of Risk Assessment at European University Cyprus, has been appointed to a new European Commission advisory group tasked with strengthening Europe's preparedness for disasters and other major risks.
Boustras, who also serves as director of the university's Centre of Risk and Decision Sciences, is among six scientists and academics selected to join the PreparEU Advisory Group, according to a European Commission announcement cited by the Cyprus News Agency.
The group will advise European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib on addressing growing disaster risks, including extreme weather events and wildfires.
PreparEU was announced by von der Leyen during her State of the Union address on 16 September 2026. The body comprises 11 senior experts in EU civil protection and crisis management, alongside six scientists and academics from member states.
The advisory group will assess member states' existing capacities under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and rescEU, while examining both immediate and long-term impacts of natural hazards, technological threats and emerging risks.
Its work will also cover issues including population movements, emergency healthcare, shelter, communications and the management of disruptions to critical infrastructure. Members are expected to discuss prevention, preparedness and the development of new capabilities, including dual-use assets and the European Firefighting Fleet.
The group's first meeting is scheduled for early November 2026, with recommendations due to be submitted to von der Leyen and Lahbib by spring 2027. Its secretariat will be based in Brussels within the Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.
Source: CNA
