Younous Omarjee: Advocating for Regional Equity and Sustainable Development

In recent months, Younous Omarjee, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development, has intensified his efforts to address regional disparities and promote sustainable development across European territories.

In June 2023, Omarjee visited Ireland’s Northern and Western regions alongside MEP Chris MacManus. The visit aimed to assess how the European Union can assist in rectifying regional imbalances. During discussions with the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, Omarjee emphasized the urgency of addressing infrastructural deficits to foster equitable growth. He stated, “It is clear that urgent action is required. Addressing infrastructural deficits in particular will be key to the future development of this region.”

In May 2024, Omarjee, accompanied by Mathilde Panot, President of the La France Insoumise group in the French National Assembly, embarked on a tour of French Overseas Territories, including a significant visit to French Polynesia. The delegation engaged with local leaders to discuss pressing issues such as environmental challenges, climate change, and sustainable agriculture. This initiative underscored Omarjee’s commitment to ensuring that the unique concerns of these territories are represented within the European legislative framework.

In November 2024, the Reunionese Communist Party called upon Omarjee to advocate for transparency in the sugar cane industry on La Réunion Island. The party urged him to push for equitable profit distribution and to involve local planters in strategic decision-making processes, highlighting the need for EU intervention to rectify the consequences of previous policy decisions that adversely affected the sector.

Through these engagements, Younous Omarjee continues to champion the cause of marginalized regions, striving for policies that promote balanced development and address the specific needs of diverse communities within the European Union.