EU health ministers have agreed on a common position to update biotechnology and organ transplantation rules, as the bloc seeks to strengthen its competitiveness in a sector increasingly dominated by the United States and China.

The agreement, reached on 16 June, forms part of the broader Biotech Act package and focuses on revisions to two existing directives covering genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs) and organ processing procedures. The reforms aim to make regulatory frameworks more flexible, reduce administrative burdens, and improve cross-border cooperation in medical and scientific fields.

Officials say the changes are intended to help Europe catch up in biotechnology innovation, where global rivals have accelerated investment and development in recent years.

Cyprus Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides, who led the negotiations, said the update reflects scientific and technological advances that have taken place since the original rules were introduced. He described the revision as both a practical adjustment and an ethical necessity, given the pace of change in the sector.

Under the revised approach, EU countries agreed to adjust terminology in the European Commission’s proposal. The term “low-risk GMMs” has been replaced with “GMMs eligible for an expedited procedure”, reflecting a more streamlined approval pathway. In addition, consent for placing certain GMMs on the market may now be valid for up to ten years, instead of indefinitely.

The agreement also introduces provisions allowing personal data processing to be treated as serving the public interest in specific cases, particularly where it supports medical or scientific outcomes.

In the area of organ transplantation, member states agreed to extend the implementation period for updated rules from 24 months to 36 months, giving national health systems additional time to adapt to the new requirements.

While the compromise was largely supported, discussions highlighted continuing tensions within the EU over how to balance innovation with safety oversight. Several member states stressed the importance of maintaining strict ethical safeguards, protecting personal data, and preserving national control over transplant systems.

The agreement among member states allows negotiations with the European Parliament to begin once it finalises its position. Lawmakers in the Parliament’s Health (SANT) and Environment (ENVI) committees are currently reviewing the proposal, with MEPs Adam Jarubas of the European People’s Party and Marta Temido of the Socialists and Democrats leading the process.

Charalambides also suggested that upcoming talks should take into account an opinion issued by the European Data Protection Supervisor in late May, noting that it arrived too late to be fully incorporated into the Council’s position.

As Cyprus concludes its presidency of the Council of the EU, responsibility for advancing the file now passes to Ireland, which will guide the next stage of negotiations between member states and the European Parliament.

Nearly every child in the world is now exposed to at least one climate-related hazard, with many facing multiple overlapping risks that threaten their health, education and long-term development, according to a new UNICEF report.

The findings highlight how intensifying climate change is reshaping childhood on a global scale, as heatwaves, floods, droughts and wildfires become more frequent and severe. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said children are already experiencing the consequences in their daily lives.

“The lives of children continue to be upended by the impact of heatwaves, wildfires, droughts and floods,” she said, noting that around half of the world’s children now live amid at least three overlapping climate threats.

The report warns that while the physical and mental toll on children is significant, it remains under-measured in global assessments. It also calls for stronger investment in health, education and infrastructure systems designed specifically to withstand climate shocks and protect younger populations.

UNICEF said children are disproportionately affected because their bodies are still developing, making them more vulnerable to heat stress, pollution and disease. Although these biological factors cannot be changed, the agency stressed that governments can reduce risks by strengthening essential services and infrastructure.

The report outlines how climate hazards often trigger cascading crises. Droughts can destroy crops and worsen food insecurity, while also leaving dry vegetation that fuels wildfires. These fires increase air pollution and can be followed by floods, which damage land and increase the spread of waterborne diseases.

Flooding remains one of the most widespread threats, with more than 360 million children globally exposed. UNICEF warns floods can cause drowning, injury and outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and malaria. Damaged housing also increases the risk of mould exposure, contributing to respiratory illness.

Extreme heat is another major concern. More than 1.5 billion children are exposed to frequent heatwaves, which can lead to heat stress and long-term health complications. Pregnant women are also at increased risk of complications, including preterm birth and high blood pressure disorders.

Air pollution remains a nearly universal risk, with about 2.3 billion children living in areas with unsafe air quality. Because their lungs and immune systems are still developing, children are particularly sensitive to long-term damage caused by polluted air.

The report also highlights the growing spread of vector-borne diseases. Around 1 billion children are now at risk of malaria, alongside increasing exposure to dengue and other infections linked to changing climate conditions.

UNICEF says these combined threats are not only a health crisis but also a major barrier to education and development, warning that urgent action is needed to build resilience and protect future generations.