Comité Económico y Social Europeo
Water is a vital but an increasingly scarce resource. As the global population grows, so does the demand for water. The problem is global, but also concerns our continent: in summer 2022 Europe saw the most severe droughts in 500 years. Almost two thirds of European citizens consider water quality and/or quantity in their country to be a serious problem. Climate change will further affect the availability, quality and quantity of water. …
This event aims to follow up on the discussions and outcomes of this year's High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and prepare for the upcoming SDG Summit of 18-19 September 2023.
The EU Side Event hosted jointly by the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee will allow for a conversation with civil society on how to boost the implementation of the SDGs. The event takes place in the context of the 2023 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
As in previous years, the European Economic and Social Committee, as the body representing organised civil society in the EU, will be following the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which will take place in New York from Monday 10 July to Wednesday 19 July 2023.
Following the success of the previous Youth Climate and Sustainability Round Tables, the EESC will host the fourth EU Youth Round Table on Tuesday 18 July, 10:30-11:30 CEST. Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, will participate in the event and will engage with the youth representatives on the topic: the sustainable economy we need for a successful implementation of the European Green and Social Deal.
On Tuesday, 27 June 2023, the NAT Section is organising a public hearing entitled "What next for European action on SDGs?" to feed into the exploratory opinion requested by the incoming Spanish presidency of the Council of the EU to take stock of the progress achieved on the Agenda 2030 to identify any outstanding challenges and put forward recommendations on how to enhance the impact of European policies on achieving the Agenda 2030, both within and beyond the EU. The views of the civil society organisations working on these issues will be reflected in the EESC opinion NAT/903 on the subject.
On 22 June, the EESC will host an online public hearing to explore the state of progress of the EU on the path to more sustainable, fairer and inclusive food systems, following the new actions agreed upon during the UN Food System summit in 2021.
The EESC is organising a hybrid public hearing to gather the view of youth representatives, rural development experts and various stakeholders on how to promote sustainable and inclusive rural development that benefits young people and rural communities as a whole.
On Friday, 14 April 2023, the NAT Section is organising a public hearing "Towards a European Food Policy Council / Sustainable Food System" to feed into the own-initiative opinion NAT/892- Towards a European Food Policy Council as a new governance model in the future EU Framework on Sustainable Food Systems in order to compile the views of the civil society organisations working on these issues.
This workshop aims to discuss priorities to strengthen the EU’s SDG leadership at home and internationally in achieving climate neutrality and sustainable development ahead of major international summits planned for this coming July and September.
