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01/12/2023
Global battle of offers – from the Chinese Belt and Road initiative to the EU Global Gateway: the vision of European organised civil society

Key points

The EESC:

  • welcomes the EU's decision to promote the principle of the EU's open strategic autonomy, and therefore the launch of the Global Gateway initiative at the end of 2021;
  • argues that the Global Gateway will strengthen economic and political ties with the EU's partner countries, enabling the EU to compete effectively on a global level in the provision of infrastructure;
  • regrets the lack of real involvement of local European stakeholders in the overall process of development. The EESC would like to play a more active role in the key stages of the decision-making process for development projects associated with the BRI and the Global Gateway.
Zunanji odnosi
27/11/2023
Strengthening Multilateralism and core international principles for a rules-based order in a rapidly changing world – The importance of Civil Society contribution to the UN system Background

Key points

  • Civil society and social partners urge the EU to commit more than ever to strengthening the UN through fundamental reform;
  • To enhance the UN's ability to react efficiently to current global challenges, UN Member States in breach of the UN Charter or commitments under UN agreements or conventions should not be allowed to exercise full participation and voting rights;
  • To stabilise consensus on shared values and norms, UN governance has to become more representative, inclusive and effective;
  • The UN should further develop its integrated Civil Society Organizations System;
  • Better coordination within the EU is needed so that it speaks with a single voice and acts accordingly in all UN bodies and related institutions.
25/11/2023
The impact of education on wages and labour productivity

The EESC:

  • believes that tackling the skills-related challenges will require significant political efforts and systemic reforms in education and training, as well as smart investments in human capital from both public and private sources;
  • points out the importance of improving EU and Member State initiatives regarding employee training in the workplace and creating the right incentives for employers to continue investing in training their workforce, with the involvement of social partners;
  • reiterates that the role and profile of vocational education and training should continue to be strengthened to further develop dual systems to also train people in basic, transversal and STEM skills.
Izobraževanje in usposabljanje
17/11/2023
EU Climate Diplomacy

Key points: 

  • calls on EU to spearhead and develop infrastructure, finance, and governance pathways by mobilizing public and private financial sources to assist partner and neighbouring countries to manage the impacts of the European Green Deal;
  • encourages the EU to adopt a comprehensive strategy of climate diplomacy with short-and long-term priorities;
  • urges Member States to ensure a better coordination in order to align their foreign policy with climate imperatives and the EU Green Deal goals.
10/11/2023
Posting of drivers in the European transport sector: challenges and opportunities

The EESC:

  • calls on the European Commission and the European Labour Authority (ELA) to assist the Member States and the road transport sector with coordinated interpretation of the Mobility Package and control methodology;
  • highlights that safety considerations, including the prevention of accidents and the protection of drivers and other road users, should be at the forefront of any regulatory and operational decisions;
25/10/2023
Digital skills and education package

The EESC:

  • backs the commitment made by the Commission and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU to ensure digital inclusion for all, highlighting the importance of lifelong learning and access to quality education throughout one's career and life;
  • recommends that the Commission  supports Member States in launching large-scale information campaigns on digital learning opportunities for all, and provides funding and resources to support the digitalisation of VET and adult learning;
  • recommends that the Commission encourages Member States to focus on equal access to digital education and tools, thereby also ensuring accessibility for learners and teachers with disabilities, addressing urban-rural gaps and bias in algorithms.
Izobraževanje in usposabljanje
09/10/2023
Energy policies and strategies in the Euro-Mediterranean region

In this opinion the EESC:

  • estimates that the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries are not moving towards decarbonization at the same speed as the EU; the EU Green Deal could serve as inspiration;
  • indicates that energy interconnections are crucial for developing an integrated energy system in the Euro-Mediterranean to the benefit of both shores of the Mediterranean;
  • reminds of the geopolitical, economic and social consequences of energy transition and calls on the European Union to mitigate the effects for “transition losers;

...

06/10/2023
Rail capacity and traffic management

The EESC:

  • welcomes the ambitious goals for rail transport, which is the backbone of a sustainable transport system. More efficiently allocating infrastructure capacity can create much-needed additional capacity in the short term and improve planning for long-term needs.
06/10/2023
Harmonised measurement of transport and logistics emissions

The EESC:

  • supports the initiative for a harmonised European framework to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for transport services and the need for clear and reliable information to allow consumers to make sustainable decisions regarding transportation;
06/10/2023
Revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive 96/53/EC

The EESC:

  • endorses the proposal to allow a maximum additional weight of 4 tonnes for zero-emission (ZE) lorries only, but calls for a rigorous monitoring policy post-adoption, including immediate policy change should the desired impact not be achieved. However, the EESC is concerned that implementing this Directive may lead to a reverse modal shift. Only by enabling fair framework for all modes of transport, sufficient transport capacity can be guaranteed. The long-term goal of greening the commercial road transport can however be further incentivised;

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