On 31 January, President Ursula von der Leyen will co-host the Val Duchesse Social Partners Summit, together with Prime Minister De Croo on behalf of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit and the leaders of European social partners will attend.

During the Summit, participants will reflect on the importance of social dialogue in tackling pressing challenges in the world of work, including labour and skills shortages. The Summit is expected to conclude with the signature of a “Tripartite Declaration for a Thriving European Social Dialogue.”

The Val Duchesse Social Partners Summit was announced by President von der Leyen in her 2023 State of the Union address, where she stressed that “the future of Europe will be built with and by our social partners.” Tomorrow’s summit comes 39 years after former Commission President Jacques Delors convened social partners at Val Duchesse, marking the birth of European social dialogue.

Background

Social dialogue is an integral part of the European social model, enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and a key principle of the European Pillar of Social Rights. In its 2023 Council Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue, the Commission stressed the need to reinforce national social dialogue and collective bargaining. It was accompanied by a Commission Communication on further promoting social dialogue at EU level.

Watch live

The arrivals of the summit’s participants around 13:00 CET, the roundtable, the President’s and Prime Minister’s opening remarks and the signature ceremony at around 15:15 CET will be livestreamed on EbS.