As Europe seeks to strengthen its competitiveness in an increasingly fragmented global economy, the challenge is not only to boost productivity and innovation, but also to preserve the foundations of its social market economy. This high-level conference will examine how the EU can mobilise savings and investment, maintain sustainable public finances, and deepen Economic and Monetary Union to support long-term growth, resilience and convergence.
From the €3 duty to customs reform: what comes next for consumers?
Location
Brussels
Belgium
Following the introduction of the temporary €3 customs duty on low-value parcels on 1 July 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will organise a Consumer Policy Dialogue on 30 November 2026 to bring together EU institutions, consumer organisations, businesses and customs authorities to assess the initial impacts of the measure and discuss its implications for consumers and businesses in the context of the wider EU Customs Reform.
Public debate in the ECO Section on the "The international role of the euro: A European safe asset for a new geopolitical era?". This public debate will explore the opportunities and challenges associated with strengthening the international role of the euro and discuss the economic, financial and geopolitical arguments for and against the creation of a European safe asset.
Building and protecting social cohesion: a national, European and international perspective
Location
Dublin Castle
Dublin
Ireland
On Tuesday 24 November 2026, under the official agenda for the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will organise with the National Economic and Social Council of Ireland (NESC) this in-person event, marking the completion of a body of research and consultative work on social cohesion undertaken by NESC in collaboration with other National ESCs.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will actively participate in the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), to be held in Antalya, Turkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026.
The Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI) of the European Economic and Social Committee will convene a debate and hearing to advance policy discussions on reinforcing EU defence industrial capacity and EU-Ukraine defence industry cooperation. The debate will directly inform the forthcoming CCMI opinion on the topic, requested as exploratory opinion by the Lithuanian Presidency.
Europe’s housing crisis is one of the EU’s most urgent social and economic challenges. By bringing together actors from across the housing and homelessness ecosystem together with EU institutions, Member States, organised civil society, local and regional authorities the conference aims to identify effective measures and practical solutions to increase the supply of affordable and sustainable housing, improve access to housing, and reinforce a coherent European response that fully respects Member States’ competences.
