On 8 February 2005, the European Economic and Social Committee, after a request received on February 2005 from the next UK's Presidency of the EU approved to draw an exploratory opinion on Ethical Trade and Consumer Assurance Schemes.
In its capacity as the home of civil society, the EESC welcomed participants from several developing countries to the 2023 Civil Society Forum on Trade and Sustainable Development. Joined by high-level representatives from the EU, the ILO and UNCTAD, civil society speakers openly discussed existing policies and new initiatives, called for a truly inclusive approach and proposed concrete solutions to make trade a driving force for the Just Transition.
In einer Plenardebatte zur künftigen Handelspolitik der EU in einer Welt im Umbruch betonte der EWSA, dass Erholung, Krisenfestigkeit und Wohlstand für die Unternehmen und Menschen nur mit offenem, fairem, inklusivem und nachhaltigem Handel möglich sind. Der Ausschuss unterstrich außerdem die wichtige Rolle der Welthandelsorganisation (WTO), um dieses Ziel zu erreichen.
The new trade strategy launched by the Commission in February brings engaging principles to the table that will support the EU in achieving its domestic and external policy objectives. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomes this trade strategy as a way of improving market access and levelling the playing field. Alongside this, the modernisation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) will be the key to delivering for future generations.
On 30 November 2017, the Siauliai Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts, in partnership with the European Commission, Siauliai District Municipality, Siauliai University and the EESC, held an international conference under the heading "Globalisation and Economic Patriotism: Dilemmas, Challenges and Possibilities" in Siauliai, Lithuania. Nearly 200 representatives from business, science, governmental bodies, local municipalities, social partnerships and other institutions attended the event. The European Economic and Social Committee's Employers' Group delegated three members of the group to the conference: Janusz Pietkiewicz, István Komoróczki and Pietro Francesco De Lotto.
The 4th annual All DAGs meeting will take place on Monday 18 April 2024 09:00-13:00 at the EESC premises in JDE62.
This will be the first All DAGs meeting of this DAG mandate and we are excited to welcome the newer DAG Members, as well as more experienced ones. It will be a unique opportunity to gather all EU DAG Members and EU institutions as one TSD community, to openly exchange ideas, challenges, and aspirations. The meeting will feature, among others, CTEO Denis Redonnet and DDG Maria Martin-Prat, DG Trade.
The EU-Japan DAG hosted a workshop: "Promoting human rights and environmental due diligence together" on 9 April 2024 following a Joint Dialogue with Civil Society in Tokyo on 8 April. The workshop's objective was to foster dialogue between EU and Japan civil society representatives, focusing on best practices and a solution-oriented approach in an area of importance to the implementation of the TSD-chapter of the EU-Japan EPA. Human rights and environmental due diligence are topics of common interest, as the EU and Japan share values and want to secure resilient supply chains so as to do business in a sustainable way.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will celebrate its Ninth meeting of European Union, Latin American and Caribbean Organised Civil Society in Panama City on 3 and 4 October 2017. The meeting will take place within the framework of the preparation of the 9th Summit of Heads of State or Government of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean and will enable the development of dialogue between civil society organizations in the EU and LAC, promote the strengthening of these organizations and bring to light the point of view of organized civil society before the Heads of State.
The event will bring together 120 participants, including EESC members, organized civil society representatives from Latin American and the Caribbean, as well as guest speakers. The topics for discussion include multilateralism, open and fair trade, and decent work and the preservation of the environment as pillars of sustainable development.
The 1st European Civil Society Forum on Trade and Sustainable Development organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) took place as a hybrid meeting on 29 March 2022.
This report and its recommendations reflect the discussions and different speakers’ view.
