At its December 2025 plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted an own-initiative opinion calling for urgent action to strengthen labour rights for journalists and media professionals across Europe. The EESC’s message is clear: decent working conditions are essential to safeguard the independence of journalism and ensure citizens’ access to reliable, pluralist, and truthful information.
At its December plenary, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a debate on “Thirty COPs later and a decade after the Paris Agreement: assessing global climate action and opportunities for civil society”, with reactions to the outcome of COP30 at the center of discussion. The conference in Belém closed with a now-familiar warning: the world remains far from the ambition needed to keep global warming within 1.5°C.
Albania remains firmly committed to EU integration, advancing accession negotiations and implementing the growth plan for the Western Balkans, with reforms in the rule of law, digitalisation and the green transition. However, anti-corruption and media freedom require further robust efforts. These topics were at the centre of discussions during the 2nd meeting of the EU-Albania Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee on 21 November 2025.
The message emerging from COP30 is stark: once again, global leaders have preserved UNFCCC climate governance framework but failed to deliver the urgency demanded by science, citizens and civil society. The summit closed without an agreed roadmap to phase out fossil fuels, a decision that many observers warn leaves the world dangerously off-track for limiting warming to 1.5°C.
The EESC Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) marked Gender Equality Week 2025 with a key debate on the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) “My Voice, My Choice,” which calls for safe and accessible abortion across the European Union. The event brought together campaigners, legal experts, Members of the European Parliament, and representatives from the European Commission to address the urgent challenge of ensuring reproductive rights and solidarity for all women in Europe.
The EESC Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) marked Gender Equality Week 2025 with a pivotal debate on banning conversion practices in the European Union. The event brought together voices from EU institutions, civil society, LGBTIQ+ organisations and policy experts to address the urgent challenge of eradicating conversion practices and ensuring the protection and dignity of all LGBTIQ+ people across Europe.
The EESC hosted a high-level conference on 13 November 2025, entitled “Building the workforce of tomorrow: inclusive participation and quality jobs for a competitive Europe.” The event brought together EU policymakers, social partners, researchers, and civil society to discuss the urgent challenges and opportunities facing Europe’s labour market, with a focus on two flagship reports.
As the European Union approaches a pivotal review of its social policy agenda, a new report requested by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) offers a detailed snapshot of the state of play for the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR). The findings highlight both significant advances and persistent challenges as the EU strives to meet its ambitious 2030 social targets.
At the World Food Forum (WFF) in Rome, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) delivered a clear message: resilient and sustainable food systems must be the cornerstone of global policy. Regenerative agriculture is part of this vision, but so too is giving young people and youth organisations a real say in shaping the future.
