Speaking at the EESC's March plenary session, the president of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) advocated a strong role for civil society in implementing the 2030 Agenda.

Ambassador Lachezara Stoeva, President of the UN ECOSOC, said civil society players are indispensable allies for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"We have to be ambitious; global challenges require strong global answers", said EESC president Christa Schweng. "Civil society should have a seat at the table at the SDG September Summit, with more structured and concrete involvement", she added.

UN Ambassador Lachezara Stoeva said: "We cannot do anything without civil society. European civil society has often played a leadership role in forward-looking thinking. The EESC, with its multi-stakeholder nature, has the ability to contribute and make public policies more balanced, equitable and responsive".

The EESC has actively contributed to the EU's first Voluntary Review as a bloc, which will be presented at the High-Level Political Forum in July. In particular, the Committee has been producing a "model" contribution of civil society, which could be used as a best practice for other regions around the world. (mt)