The 21st meeting of the EU-China Round Table will take place in Hangzhou, China, on 14 September 2026.
The delegations of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and its Chinese counterpart, the China Economic and Social Council (CESC), will discuss the following topics:
Addressing poverty and promoting social inclusion
Promoting higher-quality and more efficient EU-China trade and investment
People-centred artificial intelligence
The EU-China Civil Society Round Table was established in 2007 following a decision taken at the 9th EU-China Summit held in Helsinki. Delegations from the EESC and the CESC meet regularly to discuss economic and social issues of common interest.
Through the preparation of joint reports, exchanges of views and discussions on matters of mutual concern, representatives of the EESC and the CESC contribute to the development of EU-China relations from a civil society perspective.
EESC, JDE70, Rue Belliard 99/101 Brussels and online
Belgium
This public hearing will aim to examine the growing threat of gender-based cyberviolence against women and girls, including deepfake pornography, non-consensual image sharing and 'nudification' apps. Such abuses are used to intimidate, silence and discredit women in public and professional life.
Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (9 Iskar Str, Sofia, Bulgaria), and remotely via online platform
Sofia
Bulgaria
On 15 September 2026, the EESC Group on the European Citizens’ Initiative, with the support of the Economic and Social Council of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will organise a debate in Sofia on the state of play of the European Citizens’ Initiative in Bulgaria.
The event will bring together ECI stakeholders and communicators, such as representatives of EU institutions, civil society, youth, academia and local authorities, to discuss how awareness, visibility and participation in the European Citizens’ Initiative can be further strengthened at national level.
Participants will exchange experiences, good practices and ideas on how to make this unique EU participatory democracy tool more accessible and impactful for Bulgarian citizens.
Save the date! On 15 September, the CCMI will organise a high-level event bringing together European civil society and key stakeholders to help shape the EU’s contribution to the UN Water Conference 2026. Building on the EESC’s work on the EU Blue Deal and its recently adopted opinion on this process, the event will foster dialogue and deliver key recommendations from civil society to EU and global decision-makers, feeding into global water policy discussions.
The TEN section, in cooperation with the Latvian Sustainability Cluster, is organising a forum on Mobility in Europe 2030 – serving sustainability and military purposes on 17 September 2026 in Riga, Latvia. The forum will deliver recommendations, identify investment and regulatory priorities, and clarify implementation pathways. The outcome of the forum will feed into the EESC’s policy work at EU level and provide practical guidance for Member States in advancing climate-neutral, resilient and competitive mobility systems, including strengthened military mobility, in response to evolving geopolitical challenges.
The Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI) of the European Economic and Social Committee will convene an expert hearing to advance policy discussions on fostering innovation and digitalisation in the construction sector.
Preparedness in the EU: The role of the liberal professions
Location
Van Maerlant street 2, Room VMA 22
Brussels
Belgium
Join us on 29 September 2026 from 10:30 to 16:15 CEST in Brussels, when the Liberal Professions Category of the EESC will proudly present the 10th edition of the Liberal Professions Day with the theme 'Preparedness in the EU: the role of the liberal professions'. The conference is open to the public. For in-person participation, please register by 24 September 2026 via our registration form.
