European Economic
and Social Committee
EESC RENEWAL: Alain Coheur is the new CCMI President
EU Member State responsible for his nomination as EESC member:
Belgium
Nomination as representative of:
Solidaris – Mutual Health Fund
Educational background and professional experience:
I studied at the University of Liège, at the Faculty of Medicine (School of Public Health, specialising in hospital management) and at the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences.
In 1991, I joined Solidaris, one of the largest mutual health funds in Belgium, where I have been Director of European and International Affairs since 2002. This role has led me to engage in various European cross-border healthcare projects between Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg.
I have also held responsibilities such as President and Vice-President of Social Economy Europe, Vice-President of the Belgian Agency for Development Cooperation (ENABEL), Board member of the International Association for Social Security (ISSA) and CIRIEC, and President of the International Forum for the Social and Solidarity Economy (ESS FI). I also lecture at the University of Liège, Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health.
Motivation for the EESC's CCMI Presidency:
Since becoming a Belgian member of the EESC in 2015, I have gained broad experience as EESC Bureau Member, President of the Section for Single Market, Production and Consumption (INT) (2020–2023), vice-president of the Bureau (2023-2025) and active member of the Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) and the Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI). These responsibilities have provided me with in-depth knowledge of the Committee’s functioning and strengthened my ability to build alliances and deliver solutions. I have served as rapporteur for numerous opinions, which enabled me to develop wide-ranging contacts within the European institutions, the rotating Council presidencies, and with external stakeholders.
My motivation stems from a deep commitment to strengthening the role of the EESC and ensuring that the CCMI continues to play a pivotal part in shaping Europe’s industrial, social and economic future.
Priorities and mission:
The CCMI should be a pillar of the EESC in promoting sovereignty, prosperity and unity in Europe’s diversity. Faced with major challenges, the EU is seeking industrial renewal. In this context, the CCMI must lead in foresight, preparedness and strategic change by mobilising expertise, boldness and ambition.
Continuing its original mandate, the CCMI will focus on critical raw materials and sectoral industrial policies, ensuring effective implementation of horizontal industrial strategies across sectors. It will thus contribute to the clean and digital transitions (including their circular dimension), strengthen EU strategic autonomy and preparedness, and address the human and social dimensions, including skills. In addition, the CCMI will continue to coordinate the EESC’s flagship ‘EU Blue Deal’ initiative on water.
Working in synergy with all sections of the EESC and civil society stakeholders, and thanks to the complementary expertise of its members and delegates, the CCMI will provide concrete recommendations to reinforce Europe’s industrial competitiveness and strategic preparedness, while upholding the values of the EU’s economic and social model.