Domestic Advisory Groups of the EU and six Central American countries held their Joint Meeting in Brussels on 17-18 June. The DAGs took part in a Workshop focused on two pertinent topics: Corporative Sustainability Due Diligence and the EU Deforestation Directive. During the Joint Meeting the DAGs discussed their role and functioning, in particular in view of the full application of the Association Agreement. The delegates exchanged good practices and debated the consequences of the full application of the AA for civil society sensu largo and on the work of the DAGs. Important part of the discussion was dedicated to the space for democracy and the role of civil society and advisory groups in strengthening democracy and rights.
Representatives of the European and Georgian Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs), set up under the Trade and Sustainable Development Chapter of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Georgia, will hold their eighth joint meeting on 17 June 2024 in Brussels.
The 15th meeting of the EU-Ukraine Civil Society Platform (CSP) took place on 14 June 2024. During the meeting, the CSP members exchanged with the EU and Ukrainian authorities on the implementation of the European Commission's opinion on Ukraine's EU membership and on the state of play of the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
12th meeting of the EU-Chile JCC was held physically in Brussels on 12-13 June 2024. The EESC members and Chilean delegates discussed the transition to a new framework of our bilateral partnership, under the Advanced Framework Agreement, which is expected to enter into force by the end of the year or in early 2025. They also debated the current challenges for democracy in the EU, Chile and across the globe. Among the economic issues, state of play of bilateral trade and technology transfer dominated the discussions. Members also exchanged views on the participation of youth in civil dialogue, and shared good practices of inclusion of young people in the initiatives promoting sustainable development. Prominent on the agenda were also environmental issues, including healthy environment as a human right, climate financing, and the future of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The JCC adopted a Joint Declaration.
On 12 June 2024, the EESC will hold a public hearing in connection with its ongoing opinion on Aligning the circular economy and the bioeconomy at EU and national level which aims to enhance the synergy between bioeconomy, circularity, and sustainability by adopting a more integrated and systemic perspective on the circular bioeconomy.
In 2023, the EESC launched its call for an EU Blue Deal, as a new standalone strategic priority on water for the EU. Partnering with Water Europe, this event explored integrating water into industrial strategies and showcased Water-Smart economy practices. The event is a partner event of the EU Green Week, which this year focused on water resilience. Online, via Zoom - From 14:30 to 16:30
European social protection systems exhibit imbalances, especially for workers in non-standard and new forms of employment. This leaves many without adequate social protection coverage, especially women who often receive lower pensions due to employment gaps. Despite EU initiatives rolled out from the European Pillar of Social Rights, gaps persist, calling for legal and policy improvements. This hearing will invite relevant stakeholders to discuss these imbalances and recommend ways to achieve fairer social protection systems and bridge pension gaps across all types of employment.
Residence Palace and EESC's Jacques Delors building
Brussels
Belgium
The European Sustainable Development Network (ESDN) is organizing the Conference in cooperation with the Belgian Federal Institute for Sustainable Development and the European Economic and Social Committee. The Conference will be an official event of Belgium’s EU Council Presidency.
As we find ourselves just over the halfway point to reaching the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, with only six more years left, the ESDN and co-organizers will focus this year’s Conference on transformative policies.
Representatives of the European and Ukrainian Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs), set up under the Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine, will hold their seventh joint meeting on 5 June 2024. The objective of the meeting will be to prepare a set of recommendations for the EU-Ukraine Trade and Sustainable Development Sub-Committee and the Civil Society Forum, which will take place on 13 June 2024. There will also be a Workshop on Sustainable financing as a tool for Ukraine's post-war recovery.
