Insurers welcome Commission’s strategy for improved crisis management in Europe
The European Commission today presented its strategy for a so-called EU Preparedness Union – a comprehensive roadmap to make Europe more resilient to crises. The aim is to better prepare Member States for future crises such as pandemics, security threats, cyberattacks, and natural disasters. The German Insurance Association (GDV) expressly welcomes this step and calls for effective measures in Germany to strengthen the country’s resilience.
The National IT Situation Center at the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). The European member states should also be better prepared for cyber attacks.
"The strategy is spot on”, said Jörg Asmussen, CEO of the German Insurance Association (GDV). “Increasing risks demand clear responses. We must enhance prevention to safeguard Europe’s stability and competitiveness.”Future threats like pandemics, cyberattacks, geopolitical tensions, or natural disasters must be tackled systematically. "Anyone who wants to protect Europe’s freedom, prosperity, and competitiveness must invest in our resilience, now," Asmussen added.
From the GDV’s perspective, it is a positive signal that the EU is backing its strategy with concrete actions and financial resources. This includes minimum standards for critical societal functions such as healthcare, transport, and communication, as well as investments in dual-use technologies. What matters now is strong cooperation between politics and business. Insurers contribute their long-standing expertise - from risk assessment and prevention to recovery after disasters. The fact that the Commission explicitly names the insurance sector as part of societal preparedness further underlines this role.
Cyber risks: Protecting the economy is key to stability
The GDV sees a particular need for action in cyber risk management. "Two in three of the 3.5 million undertakings in Germany are so poorly protected against cyberattacks that they are hardly insurable. This poses real risks to supply chains and entire industries. Together with policymakers, we must find new ways to mitigate these risks," Asmussen stressed. Protecting the economy from cyberattacks is crucial for growth, stability, and future viability. Given the rising number of cyberattacks, not least from Russia, the next German government must urgently develop effective concepts. The Commission’s plan to establish a public-private task force and set up emergency protocols with businesses is a step in the right direction.
Natural hazards: Addressing climate impacts and preventing damages
The GDV also sees a need for action in managing natural hazards - both at the national and European levels. "Climate is changing and causing claims worth billions of Euros each year, already. If climate adaptation continues at this slow pace, covering these risks and the economic impact will become unavailable in the future," warned Asmussen. The GDV calls for a holistic approach - from decisive prevention to clear rules for planning, building, and renovation. The protection of critical infrastructures and targeted climate adaptation, as outlined in the EU strategy, are particularly important.
Strengthening resilience and crisis prevention - in Brussels and Berlin
Given the major challenges, it is right for Brussels to lead - and Berlin should follow. It is also positive that the Commission’s action plan aims to raise public awareness of crisis preparedness, for example through initiatives such as an annual EU Preparedness Day or integrating self-protection measures into school curricula. Crisis preparedness is no longer just a national issue. The Niinistö Report, which forms the basis of the strategy, makes clear: resilience is a joint European task. Crisis preparedness must not remain a side issue but should be a central element of government action to strengthen the economy, competitiveness, and security.
The strategy includes 30 concrete measures and a detailed action plan aimed at embedding a “preparedness culture” across all EU policy areas.
Key points of the strategy:
- Protecting critical societal functions - minimum standards for essential services like healthcare, schools, transport, and communication, expanding emergency reserves, and adapting to climate change.
- Raising public awareness - promoting self-protection measures (e.g., maintaining emergency supplies for 72 hours), integrating crisis preparedness into education, and introducing an annual EU Preparedness Day.
- Improving crisis coordination - establishing an EU Crisis Hub to better connect existing structures.
- Strengthening civil-military cooperation - regular EU-wide exercises and promoting investments in dual-use technologies.
- Enhancing risk and threat assessments - to detect and prevent crises like natural disasters or hybrid attacks early.
- Cooperating with the private sector - setting up a public-private task force and developing emergency protocols with businesses to secure supply chains and critical production.
- Deepening international partnerships - for example with NATO in areas like cybersecurity, climate protection, defense, and emerging technologies.
