Public Debate | 8 April 2026 | 14:30-16:00 | Online Event Rising tensions and the renewed conflict in Iran adds new volatility to an already fragile global economic environment. Against a backdrop of geopolitical fragmentation, energy market uncertainty and slowing growth, understanding the macroeconomic implications of this conflict for Europe has become increasingly urgent. The Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO) of the EESC will organise a public debate to examine the broader macroeconomic consequences of the conflict in Iran for the European economy.
On 30 March 2026, the EESC Permanent Group on Sustainable Food Systems (PG) will hold a public debate “Towards a sustainable EU Livestock Strategy”, with the aim to contribute to the European Commission’s upcoming EU Livestock Strategy.
The EU–Serbia Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) met in Brussels on 30 March 2026 to discuss key developments in EU–Serbia relations, with a particular focus on the rule of law, judicial and electoral reforms, transparency and anti-corruption, democratic institutions, the operational challenges of the EU Entry-Exit System, and the state of social and civil dialogue.
Between 26 and 29 March 2026, EESC members joined the EU delegation at the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Yaoundé.
The delegation attended the daily debriefings for civil society hosted by DG Trade, and had informal meetings with the African Union ECOSOCC, the WTO, the French business association AFEP and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). A short impromptu meeting was also organized with MEP Warborn (INTA).
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 EU-Central America DAG convened for its 30th meeting on 23 March 2026, chaired by WIDE+ (GR III). The agenda included briefings on the implementation of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation parts of the Association Agreement, exchanges with the representatives from the EEAS, DG INTPA and DG Trade on the implementation of recommendations from the latest Joint Declaration of the EU-CA DAGs. The Group also prepared for the upcoming Joint Events with Central American counterparts from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, scheduled for 15-17 June 2026 in Brussels.
The EU-Chile Domestic Consultative Group (DCG), held its inaugural meeting on 20 March 2026. The Group established its new structure and elected Antonio García del Riego (EESC, Group I) as Chair for the 2025-2028 mandate. The meeting featured a meaningful exchange with representatives from the European External Action Service (EEAS) and DG Trade on the Group's role and mandate under the new Advanced Framework Agreement. The EU-Chile DCG also discussed priorities for its new mandate, pending the formal establishment of the Chilean DCG.
