EU UAP Event 2024
On March 20, 2024, it took place EU UAP Event 2024 place in the European Parliament. This historic event brought together MEPs, policymakers and other EU professionals to gain more insight into Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP).
Why the EU UAP Event 2024 is Important
In countries such as the United States, Canada and Japan, political attention for UAP is growing. The US has already passed specific legislation, and other countries are taking steps to seriously investigate UAP. Europe cannot lag behind. During the EU UAP Event 2024 it was made clear why the EU must now take action to develop protocols and regulations for a structured approach to UAP.
A Unique Collaboration for Awareness
This event was a joint effort by MEP Francisco Guerreiro and UAP Coalition Netherlands. During the event, five leading experts presented their vision and research, each within a time frame of ten minutes. Their contributions are bundled in a digital book, specially compiled for policy makers and interested parties who have little knowledge about UAP.
Participation and Online Accessibility
Due to limited space in the European Parliament, only a select number of guests could be physically present. The organisation aimed for a balanced distribution between European UAP experts and EU policymakers. Fortunately, an online livestream was available, allowing a wider audience to participate in this important debate.
Q&A and Further Insights
After the end of the EU UAP Event 2024 participants had the opportunity to ask questions to the speakers. This interactive part led to interesting discussions and a deeper understanding of the need for European UAP policy.
Position Paper and Contact
UAP Coalition Netherlands has a position paper drawn up with concrete recommendations for the EU. This document is here downloadable and provides insight into our vision and policy proposals.
Do you have any questions about UAP? Please feel free to Contact with us. We are ready to answer all your questions.
EU UAP Event 2024 Summary
MEP Francisco Guerreiro introduced the topic. He wants to start a debate on UAP at EU level and reduce the stigma surrounding the subject in aviation, defence, media, policy makers and society. He believes it is important that the subject is approached scientifically, in collaboration with researchers, policy makers, social sectors and professionals. Transparency and exchange of data is essential.
On March 11, 2024, Francisco Guerreiro submitted a motion submitted to the European Parliament to amend the EU Regulation on the reporting, analysis and follow-up of occurrences in civil aviation to allow for consistent and transparent reporting and analysis of UAP. The aim is to achieve a harmonised EU database and exchange of information between EU Member States. In addition, he had a asked a question in the European Parliament on how a monitoring and reporting system for UAP could be included in the EU Space Law.
André Jol of UAP Coalition Netherlands explained that many observations are made by trained professionals and citizens. A large part is explainable (e.g. airplanes, satellites, drones, balloons, planets, etc.). But an important part cannot be explained, despite extensive research. This is based, among other things, on data from GEIPAN, the French government organization that collects and analyzes French UAP data. He also pointed out how UAPs are fundamentally different from regular objects and why they potentially pose a threat to air safety. He emphasized that it is important that professionals (aviation, defense, police) and citizens can report their UAP experiences and observations without stigma or professional repercussions. He pointed out the possibility of amending relevant EU legislation.
The Italian researcher Edoardo Russo from the scientific European UAP research network EuroUFOnet, the network UAPCheck and CISU (Italian UAP organization) provided an overview of the phenomenon. In many EU countries, volunteer organizations are active that collect data from UAP observations, analyze and publish it. He showed that almost all EU countries have been affected by waves of UAP sightings from the 1950s to the present. A number of European countries have already released military files on UAP. It is important to make use of the knowledge and experience of existing national UAP organizations.
The Swedish astronomer Dr. Beatriz Villarroel from the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics at Stockholm University explained that due to the great stigma surrounding the UAP topic, hardly any research has been done by scientific institutes. However, several scientific projects have recently been started by renowned universities, including the Galileo project from Harvard University. This project investigates possible extraterrestrial technological objects near Earth using various observation techniques, including telescopes and cameras. Further more, NASA appointed a UAP research director in 2023. In France UAP observations are scientifically investigated, provided that sufficient data is available (such as radar). Beatriz Villarroel conducts her own research into anomalous high-altitude flashes of light that appeared and disappeared within minutes in photos from 1952 and other years before satellites existed. This indicates unknown objects in our atmosphere. She is setting up a worldwide network of telescopes to conduct further research into this.
Dutch pilot Christiaan van Heijst talked about his own experiences. In his 20 years as a pilot, he has seen unexplained objects over Europe several times. Since he first spoke openly about this two years ago, many pilots with similar experiences have turned to him. He is an ambassador of the UAP Coalition Netherlands and attaches great importance to aviation safety. He thinks it is important to make the subject open for discussion within the aviation world. There is a great need for a formal reporting and analysis system, which currently does not exist.
Ryan Graves
, former US Navy pilot and founder of “Americans for Safe Aerospace (ASA),” spoke via video feed. He talked about his own UAP sightings and those of other military pilots, which were extensively recorded with radar and infrared cameras. He also pointed out the reliability of these observations by pilots. Military and civilian pilots worldwide regularly see UAP, which they usually don't talk about because of the stigma. They cannot report their observations because there is no clear process for this and therefore hardly any research takes place. That's why he founded ASA, which collects observations from many pilots and provides advice to policymakers. Governments play an important role in reducing UAP stigma and establishing a systematic system of UAP observations by pilots. There has recently been one in the US for this bill was submitted in the US that has strong political support. ASA provided advice and increased knowledge among politicians and various organizations, including pilot unions and associations. The All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) recently announced that it will monitor UAP at military bases with special sensors. He said later in the discussion that he is not satisfied with the recent AARO report on the history of UAP and the government and that its conclusions are not consistent with recommendations within the US Department of Defense to take UAP seriously.
The importance of an EU-wide UAP reporting system
During the Q&A after the presentations, several essential topics were discussed. One of the most important points was the involvement of volunteer organizations that have been collecting and analyzing Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) observations for decades. The quality of UAP data must improve and meet the 'FAIR' criteria: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable.
Scientific research and funding in the EU
Scientific studies on UAP are already being conducted by organizations such as the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies (SCU) and the SOL Foundation, but often with limited financial resources. The participants stressed that EU funding would be essential to enable sound multidisciplinary research. Also in Germany UAP research is being conducted, which shows that there are already initiatives within Europe that deserve further support.
UAP reporting in aviation: challenges and opportunities
The representative of EASA note that there is already a EU-wide aviation safety system exists in which pilots can report incidents. This system could possibly be used for UAP reporting. However, pilot Christian van Heijst noted that pilots are not well acquainted with this system and that it is not optimally set up for UAP notifications. André Jol stressed that the EU can learn from the US, where legislation is being developed for a specific UAP reporting system for pilots.
Political and social impact
Member of Parliament Francisco Guerreiro stressed that its recent resolution is aimed at enabling UAP reports by pilots without stigma. According to him, a uniform, EU-wide system for collecting, monitoring and analysing UAP data necessary. Several participants pointed out that existing protocols and questionnaires of civil UAP organisations could be used for this purpose.
In addition, Guerreiro warned that the EU could lose citizens' trust if the issue is not addressed transparently. He called for reducing stigma and stressed that political will is crucial to get UAP on the political agenda. He hopes that the new European Parliament and the European Commission, after the elections in June 2024, will take up this issue seriously.
A forward-looking EU policy for UAP
Furthermore, it was discussed how existing UAP organizations and databases with reports from both professionals and citizens can contribute to a possible future EU-wide system for UAP data, analysis and reportingThe collaboration between scientists, policy makers and aviation organizations is crucial in this.
The EU is at a crossroads: will it take a leading role in transparently and scientifically analysing UAP, or will it remain reactive? A strategic and open approach will not only contribute to military and aviation safety, but also to increasing social awareness and trust.
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More information
Presentations can be found here:
- André Jol & Joachim Dekkers - UAP Coalition Netherlands
- Edoardo Russo - EuroUfo
- Dr. Beatriz Villarroel - Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics @ Stockholm University
- Christiaan van Heijst - Pilot
- Ryan Graves - Americans for Safe Aerospace
Here's the earlier one position paper of the UAP Coalition Netherlands on reporting of UAP by pilots.
A number of organizations and media from various countries have published about the meeting:
Edoardo Russo – UAPCheck – European Commission Event on UAP – The Historical EU Context
Jochen Ickinger – UAPCheck – UAP in the Parliament
Gian Paolo Grassino – CISU, GLI UAP al Parlamento Europeo
Danny Ammon – GEP – GEP represents itself in the European Parliament
Elise Kjørstad – Forskning.no – If you look at the original object of the UFO theme: – You can reveal it by blinking
Focus online – UFOs Over Europe? – Inside the EU's First Conference on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
Focus The – Pilot reports from UAP-Sichtungen in Deutschland und Griechenland schrecken EU auf
The live streaming of the meeting is on YouTube channel of Francisco Guerreiro and the UAPCNL version is below:
