European Economic and Social Committee

Tuesday 21 May 

Orientation debate on Biodiversity & Climate: advancing on a sustainable financial architecture
In the face of escalating environmental emergencies, the European Economic and Social Committee is convening a debate on the intertwined realms of biodiversity and climate through the lens of sustainable finance as an enabler for systemic change during the meeting of its Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment (NAT). Recognizing sustainable finance as a critical element in the pursuit of sustainability, this event aims to explore the intersectionality between biodiversity conservation and climate finance, providing input to the EESC own-initiative opinions (A comprehensive strategy for biodiversity at COP16 and Climate finance).

Friday 24 May

Continuing the success story of EU enlargement – Bringing benefits to the Western Balkans in advance of accession
The Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference will bring together EESC members, organised civil society representatives from the Western Balkan countries, and members of organised civil society and officials from Slovenia. The event will provide an opportunity for participants to exchange views on the needed reforms in the Western Balkans and in the EU to maintain enlargement policy as one of the most important EU success stories. It will also be an opportunity to discuss the current situation of civil society in the region and the need for its better inclusion in the accession process. 

More information about EESC events can be found here.
The agendas of the different EESC meetings can be found here.

Committee of the Regions

Monday 21 May

Climate Pact Going Local Talks: Urban Greening, Water Resilience, Renovation of Buildings – The case of Rakvere
This event is organised within the European Climate Pact Going Local Talks series and will be sponsored by the European Committee of the Regions, the European Climate Pact, and the City of Rakvere. Speakers will include Members of the Committee of the Regions such as Jan Trei and Juri Gotmans, Mihkel Juhkami, Rait Pihelgas, Ambassadors of the European Climate Pact, representatives from EU institutions in Estonia, and Members of the European Parliament, and experts.

Wednesday 22 May

Stakeholder Consultation on the CoR opinion “A Just Transition for all EU regions”
The COTER Commission is organising a stakeholders consultation on “A Just Transition for all EU regions ” with Marco MARSILIO (IT/ECR), President of the Abruzzo region as a rapporteur who would like to get input from different stakeholders.

Thursday 23 May

Launch of the EU regional Social Progress Index 2.0 (EU-SPI 2.0), 2024 edition
The Committee of the Regions is hosting the launch the 2024 edition of the EU regional Social Progress Index (EU-SPI). This is the third time the European Commission publishes the EU regional Social Progress Index, a composite indicator aiming at complementing GDP with socioeconomic and environmental indicators that accounts explicitly and in detail for aspects that are crucial for well-being, like environmental sustainability, poverty, or inclusivity. The EU-SPI has been developed in cooperation with the Joint Research Centre, to explore the regional dimension of welfare in a broad sense.

More information about Committee of the Regions events can be found here. The agendas of the different Committee of the Regions meetings can be found here.