The main findings of the 2019 Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) review were discussed at a high-level conference the European Commission organised on 27 September (9:00-16:30) in Brussels, in close cooperation with the European Economic and Social Committee.

The conference brought together around 200 participants from EU and international organisations, Member States, social partners, academia and civil society. It was opened by the President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Luca Jahier, and the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen.

Following a presentation of the main highlights of the 2019 ESDE review, the opening panel discussed broad policy choices for sustainable growth and a just, socially fair transition to a climate-neutral economy. In addition, the conference featured three thematic panel sessions on

• economic sustainability: enabling sustainable and inclusive growth
• social sustainability: investing in people, essential services and housing
• environmental sustainability: mitigating social impacts of climate action

The conference online

Follow the debate online with #ESDE2019

Watch the conference through web streaming

Background

The European Commission published the 2019 edition of its annual review Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) in July 2019.

This year’s edition focuses on the topic of sustainability in its economic, social and environmental dimensions, including an assessment of employment and social impacts of climate change policies and ways to ensure a fair and just transition to a climate-neutral economy.