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Ongoing (updated on 01/09/2020)
Reference: 
REX/527-EESC-2020
Plenary session: 
554 -
Sep 16, 2020 Sep 18, 2020
  • The common foundation of any EU political engagement leading to an equal development partnership with Africa shall be based on a multidimensional approach, articulating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the respect of Universal Human Rights (UHRs) - including fundamental rights, the right to a healthy environment and the freedom to conduct a business.
  • The EESC advocates promoting a decent life and good prospects, creating a middle class and supporting equal partnerships by strengthening sustainable social-liberal democratic structures in Africa.
  • The EESC highlights that the EU strategy on Africa must focus on Development and welcomes the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
  • The EESC reiterates the important role of organised civil society in the up-coming ACP-EU Partnership Agreement.

    EESC section opinion: EU and Africa: Making an equal development partnership a reality based on sustainability and common values (own-initiative opinion)

    Ongoing (updated on 31/08/2020)
    Reference: 
    REX/532-EESC-2020
    Plenary session: 
    554 -
    Sep 16, 2020 Sep 18, 2020

    Global supply chains (GSC) are key in economic activities across the world and in global trade with companies, from driving Multinational Enterprises (MNE) to Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs), operating increasingly across borders. They are "complex, diverse and fragmented" with all the opportunities and risks that come along with it. Economic growth, job creation and entrepreneurship are also contested by evidence of negative implications for working conditions as well as for sustainability in some supply chains.

    EESC section opinion: Sustainable supply chains and decent work in international trade (Exploratory opinion at the request of the German presidency)

    Ongoing (updated on 25/08/2020)
    Reference: 
    INT/913-EESC
    Plenary session: 
    556 -
    Dec 02, 2020 Dec 03, 2020

    Europe is going through a green and digital transformation and the European institutions are committed to ensuring that people remain centre-stage and that the economy works for them. The social partners' contribution is necessary to render our society resilient and ready for future challenges in the economy, industry, social protection, in the way we work, shop and travel.

    Ongoing (updated on 25/08/2020)
    Reference: 
    NAT/794-EESC-2020
    Plenary session: 
    554 -
    Sep 16, 2020 Sep 17, 2020

    The upcoming German EU Council Presidency has requested an EESC opinion on "Digitalisation and Sustainability – status quo and need for action in civil society perspective".

    The Federal Environment Ministry (BMU) has decided to place special emphasis on the topic of digitalisation and sustainability during Germany’s upcoming European Council Presidency in the second half of 2020. The current crisis with increasing demand for teleworking, virtual conferences and digital services highlights the need for sustainable digitalisation even more.

    The EESC opinion will establish the status quo and explore the need for action from a civil society perspective to help identify options for action at European level.

    Information memo: Digitalisation and Sustainability – status quo and need for action in civil society perspective (Exploratory opinion at the request of the German presidency)

    Ongoing (updated on 25/08/2020)
    Reference: 
    INT/823-EESC-2017
    Plenary session: 
    554 -
    Sep 16, 2020 Sep 18, 2020

    The Commission's decision to create a Digital Single Market (to remove virtual borders, boost digital connectivity, and make it easier for consumers to access cross-border online content) is therefore a welcome move. But what does it mean for SMEs in practice? How will this affect their day-to-day running? And, given the lessons learnt from previous rapid changes, how do we make an "inclusive" success of the Digital Single Market?

    Information memo: The digital single market - trends and opportunities for SMEs (own-initiative opinion)

    Ongoing (updated on 25/08/2020)
    Reference: 
    INT/898-EESC-2020
    Plenary session: 
    554 -
    Sep 16, 2020 Sep 18, 2020

    Europe is embarking on a transition towards climate neutrality and digital leadership. European businesses can lead the way as we enter this new age, as they has done in the past.

    Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are essential to Europe’s competitiveness and prosperity. Based on the new SME Strategy, the EU will support SMEs by:

    • encouraging innovation through new funding and digital innovation hubs as part of the sustainable and digital transitions;
    • cutting red tape by reducing barriers within the Single Market and opening up access to finance;
    • allowing better access to finance by setting up an SME Initial Public Offering Fund (with investments channelled through a new private-public fund) and the ESCALAR initiative (a mechanism to boost the size of venture capital funds and attract more private investment).

    EESC section opinion: SME strategy

    Downloads: 

    • Position paper "Strengthening SMEs: Way Forward to a Dedicated SME Strategy"

    Ongoing (updated on 25/08/2020)
    Reference: 
    INT/903-EESC
    Plenary session: 
    553 - Jul 16, 2020
    Own-initiative opinion postponed to the autumn

    The purpose of the opinion is to examine the extent to which existing EU company law currently serves as an "expedient" for the politically-desirable Green Deal and which gaps still need to be closed, in particular regarding corporate social responsibility obligations. The opinion will aim at following-up on the European Commission's initiative on due diligence and broadening the debate on sustainable corporate governance interlinking the social, environmental and economic dimensions.

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