European Economic and Social Committee

Tuesday 27 October  

Tax rules as code (TRACK) for EU tax directives: Enhancing legal clarity, cross-border comparability and democratic governance through artificial intelligence
The European Economic and Social Committee is organising a public hearing in Tallinn on how artificial intelligence and digitalisation in tax administration can strengthen legal clarity, cross-border comparability, economic development and tax certainty. The event will bring together policymakers, stakeholders and experts to discuss how digitalising the EU tax system could reduce fragmentation and compliance burdens while facilitating tax compliance and collection across Member States. The discussions will contribute to the preparation of the EESC own-initiative opinion on the topic.

Decarbonisation starts locally – empowering cities and regions for Europe’s energy transition
The European Economic and Social Committee is organising a conference in Brussels on the role of cities and regions in advancing Europe’s energy transition and climate-neutrality objectives. The event will bring together stakeholders to discuss how local energy systems can strengthen security of supply, reduce energy prices and increase energy autonomy. Discussions will focus on decentralised renewable energy, smart grids, energy storage and clean technologies, as well as community-driven approaches that empower citizens to participate in an affordable and inclusive clean energy transition.

Towards a European system of natural disaster risk management
The European Economic and Social Committee is organising a public hearing on how the EU can strengthen prevention, preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery in relation to natural disasters. The event will bring together regulators and organisations to discuss the growing insurance protection gap, the limitations of private insurance and reinsurance markets, and whether an EU-level approach is needed. The discussions will contribute to the preparation of the EESC opinion on a European system of natural disaster risk management for the EU insurance sector.

Tuesday 27 October – Wednesday 28 October

2026 Euromed Summit of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions
The European Economic and Social Committee will co-organise the 2026 Euromed Summit in Lisbon, bringing together civil society organisations, youth representatives, EU and MENA government representatives and other stakeholders from across the Euro-Mediterranean region. The summit will focus on implementing the Pact for the Mediterranean, particularly in the areas of skills, employability and labour market inclusion. Discussions will also cover vocational training and apprenticeships, renewable energy cooperation, cultural heritage preservation, sustainable tourism and quality jobs.

Thursday 29 October 

Inclusive Roma Education, Upskilling and Pathways to Quality Jobs
The European Economic and Social Committee’s permanent group on Inclusion of the Roma is organising a public hearing in Brussels on education, skills and access to quality employment for Roma communities. The event will examine the role of the Union of Skills in supporting Roma integration, good practices to combat segregation in education, and pathways into the labour market through vocational education and training. Discussions will also address Roma women’s education and labour market integration.

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 26 October  

The Right to Stay: Opportunities, Services, and Quality of Life in European Regions
The European Committee of the Regions will hold an EU Local Dialogue in Florence on how regions can create the conditions for people to stay, thrive and build their future where they live. Bringing together European, national, regional and local leaders, the event will examine demographic decline, territorial disparities, brain drain, affordable housing, access to services, quality jobs, opportunities for young people and climate resilience. Discussions will focus on how the EU’s emerging Right to Stay initiative can be translated into concrete policies that strengthen territorial cohesion, resilience and competitiveness across Europe.

Monday 26 October – Tuesday 27 October

17th ARLEM Plenary Session
The European Committee of the Regions will hold the 17th Plenary Session of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) in Tirana. The two-day programme will include ARLEM Bureau and coordination meetings, followed by the plenary session on 27 October. The event will also feature the 2026 ARLEM Award ceremony, recognising young local entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean.

Tuesday 27 October

Voices of Peace: Music, Culture, and Mutual Understanding
The European Committee of the Regions will host a conference in Brussels on the role of culture and the arts in promoting peace, intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding. Bringing together CoR members, cultural representatives, artists and invited guests, the event will feature a roundtable discussion on how culture can support dialogue and cooperation between peoples. The conference will be followed by a special Concert for Peace by the WuLe Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Shi Wule.

Wednesday 28 October

Rome, Europe and Cinema: culture, territories and new opportunities
The European Committee of the Regions will hold an EU Local Dialogue in Rome on how culture and cinema can support local development, European cooperation and new opportunities for younger generations. Bringing together institutional representatives, citizens, young people and professionals from the cultural and audiovisual sectors, the event will examine the role of cultural and creative industries in promoting territories and strengthening cooperation across Europe. Discussions will also focus on the opportunities available to young filmmakers and the wider cultural and creative sectors.

Thursday 29 October 

COTER external seminar – Regions at the heart of cohesion strategies
The European Committee of the Regions’ COTER commission will hold an external seminar in Trieste on the role of regions in cohesion policy and decentralised investment. Bringing together COTER members, local and regional experts and representatives from the Italian government and EU institutions, the event will examine how multilevel governance can support regional competitiveness and innovation. Discussions will focus on industrial transition, innovative ERDF projects and territorial strategies supported by cohesion policy.

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.