EESC President

News

  • Speaker
    Séamus Boland, EESC President
    Organisation
    European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

    Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life. While poverty persists, there is no true freedom.

  • Having experienced poverty at a young age myself, it is with some emotion that now, as President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), I call on everyone to join in the commemorations of the 2026 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

  • From 7 to 9 October 2026, EESC President Séamus Boland travelled to Podgorica at a decisive moment in Montenegro’s path towards EU membership. In meetings with Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, ministers, young people, civil society representatives and the Ombudsman, the President commended Montenegro’s reform progress and underlined that an inclusive accession process requires civil society, social partners and the next generation to be heard at every step.

  • Statement by
    Séamus Boland, EESC President
    Organisation
    European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

    I welcome the European Commission’s Communication ‘Preparing for a wider Union’ as an important contribution to ensuring that the European Union is institutionally, politically and financially prepared for future accessions.  

  • In a world marked by growing conflict, disinformation and fragmentation, Europe needs more dialogue, not less. That was the key message from speakers at the 2026 European Public Diplomacy Days (EPDD), held in Brussels from 30 September to 2 October 2026.

  • European Economic and Social Committee President Séamus Boland visited China from 13 to 18 September to strengthen cooperation and dialogue with the Chinese government, civil society organisations, trade unions, academics and social partners in a series of meetings and events in Hangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing.  

  • Reference number
    46/2026

    The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has welcomed the winners of the 2026 edition of the EU Organic Awards, celebrating three outstanding businesses that are helping make organic food more accessible, innovative and sustainable across Europe.

    The winners were announced in Brussels on EU Organic Day, 23 September, during the official EU Organic Awards ceremony.

  • Statement by
    Séamus Boland, EESC President
    Organisation
    European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

    The State of the Union Address by Commission President von der Leyen gives a realistic picture of the challenges Europe faces, while pointing towards a future in which our Union can be stronger, more resilient and autonomous. 

  • Reference number
    42/2026

    The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) called for a balanced, forward-looking and people-centred approach to EU-China relations, stressing the need to address growing trade imbalances, strengthen efforts to combat poverty, promote trustworthy and human-centred artificial intelligence, and maintain an open dialogue on human rights.  

Contact

Séamus BOLAND

European Economic and Social Committee 

rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 99-101 1040 Brussels Belgium

Tel (secretariat): +32 (0)2 546 97 25 - Email (secretariat)

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