Programme 2023

OPENING

Moderator: Ben Butters, CEO of Eurochambres

FIRST SESSION – UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF THE SINGLE MARKET FOR SKILLS AND HUMAN CAPITAL

Scene-setter: Dragos Pîslaru, Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Due to demographic changes, the EU active workforce could decrease by 50 million people over the next 30 years. The covid-19 pandemic has seemingly exacerbated skills shortages already faced by many sectors. The extent of those shortages, at a time of major economic and industrial transformation, calls for a large-scale upskilling and reskilling effort.

The 2023 European Year of Skills provides a timely opportunity to initiate a real shift at European level in the design and implementation of skills development policies. To better respond to labour market needs, the mobilisation and improvement of key instruments such as mobility schemes, lifelong vocational education and training and forecasting tools, is needed. However, systemic barriers continue to hamper the full functioning of the single market in relation to labour market mobility. Those obstacles are particularly noticeable when it comes to issues such as the recognition of qualifications or the frameworks governing apprenticeship and training schemes.

This session will allow entrepreneurs to outline the nature of the challenges that they encounter and consider with leading policy makers EU level solutions to fully unlock the potential of the single market in terms of skills and human capital.

Debate with MEPEs

Voting session

Reaction from Joost Korte, Director-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission

SECOND SESSION – NAVIGATING THE ENERGY CRISIS

Scene-setter: Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy

The recent surge in energy prices and supply uncertainty has further intensified the pressure on businesses struggling to get back on their feet following the economic impact of the covid-19 pandemic.

Sustainable solutions must be found to mitigate the energy crisis. There is a real threat of European deindustrialization as companies, especially in energy-intensive industries, may relocate outside Europe, leading to a loss of competitiveness and undermining the objectives of European strategic autonomy.

In this session, we will explore potential EU solutions to the energy crisis that address the core aspects of the energy trilemma: clean, secure, reliable, and affordable energy.

Debate with MEPEs

Voting session

Reaction from Cristian-Silviu Busoi, Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

THIRD SESSION – STRENGTHENING EUROPE'S COMPETITIVENESS IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

Scene-setter: Bernd Lange, Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Committee on International Trade

With 90% of world economic growth set to be generated outside Europe in the near future, it is essential to preserve and improve an environment where trading rules are stable, transparent, fair and work for businesses of all sizes. Geopolitical tensions, most significantly as a consequence of the war in Ukraine, are undermining the global trade agenda.

The single market increases Europe's attractiveness as a trading partner and strengthens our voice at international level. At the same time, there is room for improvement in the implementation of EU trade agreements, especially to enable SMEs to capitalise on the opportunities that they present.

The EU must also ensure that coherence between trade and other objectives in relation to foreign policy, competition, development, sustainability and industrial policy is ensured in a manner that strengthens Europe’s global competitiveness.

With this complex and challenging context in mind, this session will consider the key components of a proactive EU trade policy that opens international markets for European goods, services, investment and public procurement, reducing and eliminating unjustified trade barriers in third countries.

Debate with MEPEs

Voting session

Reaction from Leopoldo Rubinacci, Deputy Director-General for Trade, European Commission

CLOSING

Intervention of members of Institutions