Conference of Delegation Chairs
The Conference of Delegation Chairs (CDC) is the political body in Parliament that coordinates the work of Parliament's standing delegations.
The CDC ensures that the delegations work efficiently and in coordination with Parliament's other structures. Its regular meetings provide a forum in which to discuss issues and challenges common to the delegations.
Composition and Chair
The members of the Conference of Delegation Chairs are the Chairs of Parliament's 48 standing delegations and of the three committees that work on international relations: the Committees on Foreign Affairs (AFET), Development (DEVE) and International Trade (INTA).
One of the 48 delegation Chairs is elected to be Chair of the Conference. They hold the position for the duration of the parliamentary term.
Scheduling
Meetings of the Conference of Delegation Chairs are usually held on the Wednesday of Strasbourg sessions.
Twice a year, the CDC adopts the six-month calendar of delegation meetings to be approved subsequently by Parliament's Conference of Presidents. AFET, INTA and DEVE are consulted during this process.
In drafting the schedule, the CDC works with a parallel political body overseeing the work of committees, the Conference of Committee Chairs. Together, they verify that the schedules of the delegations and committees complement one another and that they align with Parliament's general calendar.
Upcoming activities aimed at supporting democracy and human rights outside the EU are also taken into account.
Parliament's Conference of Presidents, composed of the President of the European Parliament and the Chairs of the political groups, is responsible for approving the final six-month calendar of delegation meetings.
Coordinating role
The Conference of Delegation Chairs coordinates with other political bodies in Parliament on a number of issues in addition to the calendar.
It submits recommendations on the delegations' work to the Conference of Presidents.
Parliament's Bureau, made up of the President and Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament. sometimes asks the CDC to fulfil certain tasks.
The CDC advocates for best practices in the work of those different bodies and the adoption of common approaches and guidelines for the delegations' activities.
By working with committees too, the CDC also ensures that Parliament's committees and delegations remain aligned. This, in turn, strengthens Parliament's contribution to EU foreign policy.
The CDC ensures that the delegations work efficiently and in coordination with Parliament's other structures. Its regular meetings provide a forum in which to discuss issues and challenges common to the delegations.
Composition and Chair
The members of the Conference of Delegation Chairs are the Chairs of Parliament's 48 standing delegations and of the three committees that work on international relations: the Committees on Foreign Affairs (AFET), Development (DEVE) and International Trade (INTA).
One of the 48 delegation Chairs is elected to be Chair of the Conference. They hold the position for the duration of the parliamentary term.
Scheduling
Meetings of the Conference of Delegation Chairs are usually held on the Wednesday of Strasbourg sessions.
Twice a year, the CDC adopts the six-month calendar of delegation meetings to be approved subsequently by Parliament's Conference of Presidents. AFET, INTA and DEVE are consulted during this process.
In drafting the schedule, the CDC works with a parallel political body overseeing the work of committees, the Conference of Committee Chairs. Together, they verify that the schedules of the delegations and committees complement one another and that they align with Parliament's general calendar.
Upcoming activities aimed at supporting democracy and human rights outside the EU are also taken into account.
Parliament's Conference of Presidents, composed of the President of the European Parliament and the Chairs of the political groups, is responsible for approving the final six-month calendar of delegation meetings.
Coordinating role
The Conference of Delegation Chairs coordinates with other political bodies in Parliament on a number of issues in addition to the calendar.
It submits recommendations on the delegations' work to the Conference of Presidents.
Parliament's Bureau, made up of the President and Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament. sometimes asks the CDC to fulfil certain tasks.
The CDC advocates for best practices in the work of those different bodies and the adoption of common approaches and guidelines for the delegations' activities.
By working with committees too, the CDC also ensures that Parliament's committees and delegations remain aligned. This, in turn, strengthens Parliament's contribution to EU foreign policy.
