The European Union is to hold its first ever summit on environment in Luxembourg on Oct. 22, the EU' s executive Commission said in Brussels on Monday.

Three different topics are on the agenda: an EU position on a comprehensive post-2012 climate change agreement, better ship dismantling, and the eco-efficiency, said the Commission in a news release.

A joint debate will be held on the proposed recast of two Directives: the Directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and the Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS).

EU environment ministers will approve a decision giving the Commission a mandate to represent the Community in negotiations on an international regime on the access to and the equitable sharing of benefits from the utilization of genetic resources, and a mandate for the upcoming meeting of the Montreal Protocol on protecting the ozone layer.

The summit aims to adopt conclusion to further develop the EU stance on a comprehensive post-2012 climate change agreement, which is due to be concluded at the UN climate conference in December in Copenhagen.