EESC President

Between 20-23 September, EESC President Oliver Röpke led a delegation of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) to the United Nations Summit of the Future, which took place in New York. The event, a cornerstone in discussions about the future of multilateral cooperation, focused on urgent global challenges including sustainable development, peace, security, and digital governance.

The President welcomed the adoption of the "Pact for the Future," an action-oriented document negotiated by governments worldwide. It include chapters on the Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations and addresses key areas such as SDG financing, international cooperation, and global governance reform.

President Röpke's agenda included high-level participations in key side events, panel discussions, and bilateral meetings. Among others he presented a joint EESC declaration with the African Union ECOSOCC, emphasizing the importance of global civil society cooperation in achieving the goals of the Pact and calling for a better representation of developing countries in the UN architecture.

He also participated in a discussion event of the Council of Europe on the critical role of youth in achieving social justice and sustainable development, as well as in a high-level panel on global governance challenges at the Columbia University under the auspices of Jeffrey Sachs.

President Röpke was also invited to speak at a debate organised by the European Parliament delegation and Côte d'Ivoire. Together with EP President Roberta Metsola, leading MEPs and civil society representatives he presented the recent EESC opinion on climate finance SDG financing reforms.

The EESC delegation led by President Röpke reiterated the commitment of the Committee to promote just transition, climate finance, and debt relief for developing countries. "In the transition to a sustainable world we need to make sure no one is left behind. Civil society must play a crucial role in implementing the Pact for the Future," Röpke stated.