Séamus Boland, President of the European Economic and Social Committee
Organisation
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
I welcome the Intergenerational Fairness Strategy adopted yesterday and its recognition of intergenerational fairness as a strategic choice for the EU.
On 4 March, the EU Domestic Advisory Group for Japan participated in the 7th Joint Dialogue with civil society (JDCS) under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in Tokyo.
The JDCS centred on key pillars of trade and sustainable development, notably climate action, labour standards, and responsible business conduct. Participants discussed the green transition — including Japan's emission trading system GX-ETS, CBAM, carbon neutrality, and the EU-Japan Green Alliance — as well as sustainable forest management and deforestation-free supply chains. Exchanges on trade and labour addressed the implementation of ILO core conventions and recent developments related to forced labour. Finally, discussions covered responsible business conduct, due diligence requirements (including CSDDD implementation), and the need to strengthen capacity and cooperation in global supply chains.
urges the Commission to adopt far more ambitious measures to address the structural housing crisis, including better framework conditions, a right to adequate and affordable housing in EU primary law, a fundamental reform of the energy market design, sufficient funding and a stronger focus on young people, families and sustainability.
