As the International Trade follow-up Committee joins the EU delegation to the WTOMC14 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the EESC reaffirms its support for a rules-based multilateral trading system that delivers economically, socially and environmentally. MC14 must be a turning point for WTO reform.
Conference preceded by a joint meeting between the EESC Workers' Group and the S&D Group in the EP
Location
Rue Belliard 99, 1040 Brussels
Brussels
Belgium
The meeting will focus on the impact of geopolitical instability on workers' rights and labour markets in the EU and the impact of increasing defence budgets on welfare state, social security systems and workers' rights.
The conference, took place on 12 March 2026 at Europe House Skopje, brought together representatives of civil society organisations, social partners, EU institutions, and national authorities to discuss key priorities related to North Macedonia’s EU accession process.
The legislative package proposed by the European Commission are likely to affect the availability of financial instruments for EU citizens, the returns of their savings and national policies on supplementary pensions. This event will gather institutions and civil society stakeholders.
Room VMA 22, EESC building, rue Van Maerlant 2, 1040 Brussels and Interactio
Brussels
Belgium
The EESC's Permanent Group on disability Rights is organising a hybrid public hearing on " Delivering Full Inclusion: which measures for the second half of the EU Disability Strategy?" on 5 March 2026 from 10 am to 1 pm.
This event will feature insights from EU institutions, and highlight recommendations from civil society and disability organisations.
Europe is facing a pivotal moment. Social and economic inequalities, rapid technological change, anti-democratic forces, and geopolitical instability are straining the foundations of the European project.
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.
