On 17 October, the Commission adopted the first implementing rules on the cybersecurity of networks and critical entities under the Directive on measures to ensure a common high level of cybersecurity in the European Union.

From 25 October to 16 February 2025, the Kunsthaus Zürich presents Marina Abramović's first major retrospective in Switzerland. The exhibition includes works from every period of the artist's career, as well as a number of historic performances.

The National Portrait Gallery in London is presenting an exhibition of over 50 works by the British painter Francis Bacon until 19 January 2025. This exhibition offers an opportunity to explore Francis Bacon's special relationship with portraiture, and to discover how the artist broke free from traditional definitions of the genre.

Until 19 January 2025, the Ratskeller exhibition space in Luxembourg will be showcasing photos from the Prix Pictet Humain, the world's largest photography prize dedicated to sustainable development. In its 10th year, the Prix Pictet will highlight the work of the 12 finalists, including Indian laureate Gauri Gill, in a unique and contemporary exploration of humanity. The Prix Pictet, created in 2008, rewards photographers who seek to raise public awareness of environmental issues through photography.

The first summit between the European heads of state and government and those of the 6 countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council took place in Brussels on 16 October. Discussions focused on a future free trade agreement and energy security. The geopolitical situation was also discussed, with the leaders calling for de-escalation and a ceasefire in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

On 17 October, the Governing Council of the European Central Bank announced a further cut of 25 basis points in its 3 key interest rates. This confirms the disinflation process that has been underway for several months, and reaffirms the Bank's desire to return to its main inflation target of 2%.

On 15 October, the European Space Agency (ESA) unveiled the first piece of the large map of the Universe produced by the Euclid mission. This map comprises an immense mosaic of 208 gigapixels and shows millions of stars and galaxies. It combines 260 observations made between 25 March and 8 April 2024. This represents just 1% of the total survey that Euclid will carry out over a period of 6 years, resulting in the largest 3D cosmic map ever made.

The Heads of State and Government meeting on 17 and 18 October had an exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and reiterated their support for comprehensive peace and that no initiative could be taken without Ukraine, while calling for military support to be stepped up. The situation in the Middle East was also discussed, with European leaders once again expressing their deep concern and calling for a calming of the situation, both in Iran and in Lebanon. They also condemned the violence by extremist settlers in the West Bank and restated their commitment to a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. They discussed European competitiveness and external border controls, the issue of hybrid threats from Russia, and the problem of energy prices as winter approaches.

Since the European elections in June and with the hearings of the European Commissioners from 4th to 12th November, the European Parliament has been very much in the news. The Robert Schuman Foundation has created a website to help you find out more about the composition, role and powers of this institution.

The European Economic and Social Committee is organising a forum on enlargement on 24 October, during which Élise Bernard, Head of Studies at the Foundation, will take part in a discussion on the role of civil society in the enlargement process.

On 17 October, France and Ukraine jointly organised a ministerial conference in Paris on nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, with the participation of 70 States and partner organisations. The aim was to take stock of the critical situation of Ukraine's nuclear power plants, which are strategic targets for Russia, and to discuss assistance mechanisms for Ukraine. This conference is part of the Peace Plan proposed by President Zelensky and follows a commitment made by France at the Bürgenstock Peace Summit last June. Ukraine has called on its partners to take decisions to force Russia to stop its attacks on Ukraine's energy sector. Some partners said that protecting Ukraine's nuclear security was a priority requiring coordinated international action.

On 17 October, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe once again called on the Georgian authorities to reverse recently adopted legislation that violates human rights and to refrain from further threatening political pluralism. European concerns persist in the run-up to the parliamentary elections on 26 October.

On 17 October, ahead of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, which begin on 22 October in Washington, Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF, highlighted the current good economic news, such as falling inflation and global growth that has returned close to its pre-Covid-19 levels but which remains insufficient to support high public debt and poverty. She argues that tensions, both domestic and international, are creating the conditions for a world that is more fragmented than ever, and stresses the need for international cooperation to meet these challenges.

On 17 and 18 October, NATO defence ministers reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine, strengthening ties with Asia-Pacific partners and reinforcing the Alliance's deterrence and defence. Their Japanese, Korean, Australian and New Zealand counterparts took part in meetings on the first day.

On 16 October, the 16 European contributors (including France, Italy, Ireland and Spain) to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reiterated their support for the peacekeepers involved in the mission following the Israeli operations in southern Lebanon, which resulted in 5 UN peacekeepers being wounded.