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.
This public hearing will bring together policymakers and civil society stakeholders to discuss on existing initiatives, the role that civil society should play, and what policy actions are necessary to untap their potential in this regard.
PGDG 7 AMS - Roadmap for European Defence Readiness
Séamus Boland, President of the European Economic and Social Committee
The adoption of the new Gender Equality Strategy 2026–2030 by the European Commission (EC) is a timely, decisive and very welcome step forward for the entire European Union (EU). It affirms the urgency of gender equality as a fundamental human right and as a core pillar of our democratic, social and economic model.
To mark International Women’s Day 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted a panel discussion highlighting the essential but undervalued work carried out largely by women across Europe. The event, held at the close of Civil Society Week, examined how invisible work supports families, communities, and entire economies, yet too often remains unrecognised, unprotected and uncompensated.
