An outstanding presence and constructive participation of the EESC in Shanghai, in the frame of AICESIS General Assembly. The Secretary General of Aicesis Mr. Apostolos Xyrafis was delighted to meet with the honorable Mr. Dimitris Dimitriadis, President of the REX section.
The purpose of the meeting was, to synchronize and align efforts in the Latin American and Caribbean region to collectively achieve greater broad/shared prosperity for the region, the roadmap theme of the AICESIS Presidency of the ESC of Curaçao.
Find the activities of the general secretariat in images.
Willemstad, July 23, 2024 – The Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao participated in the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) from July 15 to 18. This forum began a week earlier at the United Nations headquarters in New York. In its capacity as the chair of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS), the SER of Curaçao was present at this event.
Willemstad, July 1, 2024 - In the wake of a hybrid board meeting of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS), SER-Curaçao, as AICESIS Chair, led an international workshop in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on May 30 and 31.
The SG of Aicesis was received by HE Madam President of the Hellenic Republic
Mr. Apostolos Xyrafis, the SG of the Aicesis, is delivering a speech at the Plenary of the 112 ILO Conference
Willemstad, Curaçao – February 6, 2024 – In a bold move for international social and economic cooperation on an institutional level, the Social Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao, currently holding the presidency of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS), has launched a groundbreaking initiative: the "Curaçao Presidency Roadmap Questionnaire."
Willemstad, January 12, 2024 - Dr. Hanifa D. Mezoui, the Permanent Representative of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS) with observer status at the United Nations Social and Economic Council (ECOSOC) in New York, paid a courtesy visit to the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao on Friday, January 12, 2024.
The AICESIS General Assembly session held in Moscow on November 1, 2023, new Articles of the Association were adopted. The new text of the document was unanimously supported by all participants of the session.
On October 31 – November 1, 2023, Moscow held a regular session of the AICESIS General Assembly. Lydia Mikheeva, President of AICESIS and President of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, presented the final report “Living in the Online Age: Looming Challenges and Urge for Solutions”, prepared to sum up the Russian chairmanship in the Association, to the members thereof within the framework of the General Assembly.
UCESA will participate in COP28: from December 4 to 7, 2023. CES members of AICESIS are invited to join the UCESA panels.
November 23-24, Athens (Greece): Joint ILO-AICESIS-OKE conference in Greece on "the role of social dialogue and its institutions in the fight against inequalities in the world of work".
In a significant advancement for institutional regional cooperation, the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao has been appointed as the new President Council of the Network of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions of Latin America and the Caribbean (CESISALC). This notable appointment was made on September 20th, 2023, in Montevideo, Uruguay, during the closing of the Third Meeting of the INTERCOONECTA Program, an event sponsored by the Spanish Cooperation and the Economic and Social Council of Spain.
RECORD OF DECISIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN MOSCOW - October 31 / November 1, 2023
Le rôle du dialogue social et de ses institutions dans la lutte contre les inégalités dans le monde du travail
Conférence internationale
23-24 novrembre 2023
The role of social dialogue and its institutions in combating inequalities in the world of work
International conference
23-24 november 2023 - Athens - Greece
As a side-event to the conference “Inequality, Work and Nature – Strategic Dilemmas and Policy Resolution”, organised by Agence Française de Développement, African Centre of Excellence for Inequality Research, the South African Presidency and the European Commission, we have organised a side event on November 7 on “Inequality diagnostics for the future”.
The Secretary General of AICESIS with the member of the CESC- China Economic and Social Council Mr. Long Yuxiang
The Secretary General of AICESIS with the Vice Chairman of the CESC- China Economic and Social Council Mr. Zhu Xiaodan
The Secretary General of AICESIS honored to accompany H.E. the Chairman of the CESC- China Economic and Social Council Mr. Zhang Qingli to the Acropolis of Athens
The Secretary General of AICESIS with Ms Zhang Jingsheng, International Relations of CESC- China Economic and Social Council at the Acropolis of Athens
The Secretary General of AICESIS with former Prime Minister of Greece Mr. George A. Papandreou
The Secretary General of AICESIS with the President Biznes Albania Mr. Luan Bregasi (on the left) and the Executive Director of Biznes Albania Mr. Koli Sinjari (on the right)
This episode of the World of Work Show will coincide with the gathering of Heads of State and Government at the UN General Assembly in New York to review the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Online Meeting on Gender Equality and Youth Employability Organized by the Deputy Secretary General of the International Organization of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS) for the Latin American and Caribbean Region
On July 20, 2023, the AICESIS delegation, made up of the President of the ESC of Benin and Mrs. Mezoui, Permanent Representative of AICESIS to the UN, participated and spoke on behalf of AICESIS at the high-level segment of the United Nations ECOSOC in New York (United States) to present the AICESIS report on the theme : Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels.
The role of social dialogue and its institutions in combating inequalities in the world of work (23-24 November 2023, Hotel Hyatt, Athens-Greece)
Dear representatives of the Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions of Latin America and the Caribbean,
It is a pleasure to address you in my capacity as Vice Secretary General of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS) for the Latin American and Caribbean region.
I am writing to invite you to reserve the date of Thursday, August 24, 2023 on your calendars for an extremely important virtual meeting. This meeting will allow us to discuss and move forward on various issues relevant to our institutions and to the citizens we serve.
Download the flyer : pdf SAVE THE DATE Thursday, August 24 2023 en (460 KB)
Cotonou hosted the General Assembly of the Union of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions of Member States and Governments of the Francophonie (UCESIF) on June 1 and 2, 2023. Several personalities and heads of institutions took part. The Cotonou meeting was marked by the meeting of the Bureau and the general assembly of UCESIF and finally a conference on water governance. The International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS), the highest umbrella body of ESC-SIs in the world, did not remain on the sidelines of such an event.
The International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS) marked its presence at the ESC-SI General Assembly in Cotonou, Benin. AICESIS was represented at this high-level meeting by its Secretary General Apostolos E. Xyraphis.
The Brazilian government reestablishes the Council for Sustainable Economic and Social Development, with representation of workers, the productive sector and social movements.
The AICESIS and the Korean Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC) organized the Board meeting on May 11 and the international conference which marks the 25th anniversary of the ESLC on the theme of labor reform on May 12 in Seoul.
The Social-Economic Council of Curaçao (SER) is the first social and economic advisory board in the world to join the Global Deal as a partner. The Global Deal Initiative is a multi-stakeholder initiative for social dialogue and inclusive growth. It is a partnership of governments, businesses and employers’ organizations, trade unions, civil society and other organizations. The aim of the Global Deal partnership is to benefit from, and contribute to, a platform that highlights the value of social dialogue and strengthens existing co-operation structures.
Τhe Economic and Social Councils as drivers for sustainable solutions to new challenges towards Southeastern Europe's integration.
Download Korea ESLC - Social Dialogue Brief - january 30th 23 and february 13th 2023
Join us for this webinar to reflect upon what can be learned from the independent, high-level evaluation of the ILO’s response in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-22).
The AICESIS and the Korean Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC) will organize the Board meeting on May 11 and the international conference which will mark the 25th anniversary of the ESLC on the theme of labor reform on May 12 in Seoul.
The #ILR invites the submissions of papers that analyse the responses to the impacts of multiple "interlinked crises" on people, especially in the world of work, with a view to publishing a special multidisciplinary issue in English, French and Spanish.
The ILO will publish a new edition of its World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2023 (WESO Trends), which looks at the impact of economic slowdown on the global labour market. It covers the extent and consequences of the labour market disruption caused by overlapping economic and geopolitical crises and analyzes global patterns, regional differences and outcomes across groups of workers.
The Economic and Social Council of Curaçao organized as Vice-Secretary of AICESIS for the Latin American and Caribbean region on December 7, 2022 a virtual regional meeting. Central topics were: "Broad Prosperity'' and the regional Latin-American and Caribbean Network, CESALC.
Notes relating to the activities of UCESA (www.ucesa.africa) at COP27
The Secretary General of the Economic and Social Council of Curaçao, Raúl Henríquez, accompanied by Miloushka Sboui-Racamy, Advisor of said institution, visited the headquarters of the CES of Spain.
Multiple crises threaten the global labour market recovery
Speeches by the President of AICESIS at the UCESA GA on October 17, 2022 and by the SG at the Workshop on climate action in Africa on October 18, 2022.
The AICESIS agenda became part of the program of the “Community” Forum organized by the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation in Kazan.
On August 25, two panel discussions “Online Education: Accessibility VS Quality Decline” and “Ethical Issues in the Application of Digital Technology: Socio-Economic Implications” were held as a part of preparation of the final report on the Russian Presidency in the AICESIS on “Living in the Online Age: Looming Challenges and Urge for Solutions”.
The panel discussions were opened by Olga Golyshenkova, Deputy Chair of the Commission of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation on Economy and Corporate Social Responsibility Development. She thanked the representatives of the AICESIS member countries for their willingness to work together and address the issues brought by the global digital transformation.
The AICESIS SG has been invited at the Euromed Steering Committee' s Meeting held on September 7
On August 24-25, the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation organized its traditional regional “Community” Forum, which this time was hosted by Kazan, capital of Tatarstan. The topic of the Forum was “Russia: Diversity of Cultures, Unity of Citizens”.
The SG of AICESIS participated following the invitation of the President of ECOSOC of the United Nations to the high-level debate which took place in New York at the United Nations headquarters.
The AICESIS General Assembly presided by the Civic Chamber was held in Athens.
On June 28, the General Assembly of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS) met in Athens, under the presidency of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation. The meeting was attended by representatives of 37 economic and social councils, who are members of AICESIS, and the International Labor Organization (ILO).
On June 27, 2022, the ESC of Greece organized an international conference on climate change.
Following the Plenary Assembly of the Economic and Social Council of June 29, 2022, we invite you to find, attached, the opinion "For a coherent development of the cross-border metropolis of Luxembourg in the Greater Region", the opinion " 2020-2021 Annual Report of the National Productivity Council” as well as the opinion “Revised National Competitiveness Scoreboard Indicators”, adopted during the said Plenary Assembly.
La Chambre civique de la Fédération de Russie a tenu une session de discussion des pays membres de l'AICESIS.
Le 25 mai, une table ronde sur « L'inégalité numérique en tant que facteur entravant le développement de la société » s'est tenue à la Chambre civique de la Fédération de Russie dans le cadre de la préparation du rapport final sur la présidence actuelle de la Chambre civique au sein de l'Association internationale des et les Conseils sociaux et institutions assimilées (AICESIS).
The Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation held a discussion session of AICESIS member countries.
On May 25, a roundtable on “Digital Inequality as a Factor Hindering the Development of Society” was held at the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation as part of the preparation for the final report on the current Civic Chamber’s Presidency in the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS).
On June 9, 2022 during the 110th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva (Switzerland) the Secretary General on behalf of AICESIS took the floor online to present the view of the AICESIS on « Decent work and the social and solidarity economy »
The AICESIS SG participated on May 31 and June 1, 2022 in the Euro-Mediterranean Summit of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions opened on Tuesday in Marrakech (Morocco) on the theme "Covid-19: the role of civil society in the reconstruction and resilience of the Euro-Mediterranean region”.
May 14, 2022 - Members of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation are in Beirut to observe the elections
On April 29, the UNCTAD E-Commerce Week 2022 forum session “Striking the Balance Between National Digital Regulation and Cross-Border Data Flows: Prospects and Limits of an Open Data Economy in a Post- coronavirus” was held online. The event was moderated by Lydia Mikheeva, President of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation.
Strengthening of social dialogue needed to meet major challenges
Representatives of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation and the Economic and Social Council of the People's Republic of China discussed cooperation in the field of digitalization.
In accordance with article 2 of the amended law of March 21, 1966 establishing a Council Economic and Social Council (CES), the Prime Minister referred the matter to the Economic and Social Council, on of March 2, 2021, for an opinion in “the framework of the orientation debate on the modernization and challenges of our tax system on which the Chamber of Deputies is currently in the process of to work. He specifies that the mission of the CES is, firstly, to update the data taxes by integrating the budget years 2018, 2019 and 2020, and, secondly, to measure as much as possible the impact of the measures introduced by the law of December 23, 2016 implementation of the 2017/2018 tax reform. The CES is based on the data available in April 2021.
Download and read conclusions of the session and the PP presentations
La note technique a été élaborée par un groupe consultatif technique conjoint Organisation mondiale de la santé/Organisation internationale du Travail (OMS/OIT) sur le télétravail sain et sûr, sous la direction d'Ivan Dimov Ivanov du Département Environnement, changement climatique et santé de l'OMS et de Manal Azzi. du Service de l'inspection du travail, de l'administration du travail et de la sécurité et de la santé au travail du BIT (LABADMIN/OSH).
The technical brief was developed by a joint World Health Organization/International Labour Organization (WHO/ILO) technical advisory group on healthy and safe telework, under the leadership of Ivan Dimov Ivanov from the WHO Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health and Manal Azzi from the ILO Labour Inspection, Labour Administration and Occupational Safety and Health Branch (LABADMIN/OSH).
Le CES européen face à la question de l'énergie : une question qui préoccupe beaucoup les travailleurs et les employeurs.
The European ESC addressing the question of energy; an issue that if of big concern for workers and employers.
Following the Plenary Assembly of the Economic and Social Council of January 18, 2022, we invite you to find, attached, the opinion "Analysis of tax data in Luxembourg 2021" as well as the opinion "Annual update of the weighting scheme of the consumer price index - 2022”, adopted during the said Plenary Assembly.
The Annual Report on the State of the Civil Society in Russia in 2021 was issued.
During the webinar of December 7, 2021, the objective was to Identify and reach a consensus on the main advances of the region in the field of social dialogue and the Sustainable Development Goals.
AICESIS organized with the participation of ILO a Webinar on "The role of ESC-SIs and social dialogue institutions in the resumption of covid-19" for the European region on December 7, 2021.
The AICESIS Vice-Secretary General of the Latin American and Caribbean region, participated actively at the technical level in the webinar organised by the Spanish Economic and Social Council in cooperation with the Spanish Embassy in Bolivia and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AECID). AECID is the main managing body of Spanish cooperation, focused on the fight against poverty and sustainable human development.
Summary of the decisions taken by the Board and the GA which took place on October 27, 2021 in a hybrid way online and in Abidjan.
Participation of the Secretary General of AICESIS in the ITC-ILO E-Academy on Social Dialogue and Industrial Relations on Monday, November 10, 2021
Project: for climate action for the benefit of African citizens.
Meeting between the SG of AICESIS, Apostolos Xyrafis with the President of the European ESC, Mrs Christa Schweng, during the Conference on the Future of Europe, organized in Athens on November 4 2021.
This event was an opportunity to address the issue of the relationships between the EESC and AICESIS.
Today, we are facing ‘the era of great transformation,’ which is characterized by a ‘digital transformation involving digital technologies’ and ‘net zero emissions to fight climate change’. The changes and impacts that will be brought about by the great transformation are perceived as not only issues impacting Korea but unavoidable challenges for the whole world.
One of the challenges that this era of great transformation will bring about is the sustainability of our economic and social systems. We should avoid situations where inequality and polarization are exacerbated because we fail to consider the workers and employers who are vulnerable to the industrial changes caused by the great transformation.
The changes are due in part to the shared recognition of the challenges of the great transformation among workers, employers, the government, and the general public as well as the urgency of the changes. If our hopes are addressed and our plans are implemented, we will overcome the crises that will stem from the great transformation and be in a position to take advantage of the new opportunities.
The International Conference on the Era of Great Transformation organized by the Economic, Social, and Labor Council will be a global discussion forum to build a new labor and employment paradigm in response to the ‘digital transformation’ and ‘net zero emissions’ that are considered the two axes of the great transformation. By examining mid- to long-term tasks and sharing domestic and global response measures, the Conference is expected to contribute to finding ‘a new road’ to respond to the challenges of our time.
We hope that we will have the pleasure to welcome the participation and interest of tripartite representatives and experts at the forum, where we will address critical questions about this new era together.
On November 2 and 3 in Moscow, on the eve on the national holiday National Unity Day celebrated in Russia on November 4, the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation traditionally organizes the Community active citizen’ forum.
Being held since 2015, the forum has turned into an open platform for dialog between civil society, business and government as well as international partners aimed at development and implementation of social projects and advanced cooperation.
This year is marked by the Presidency of the Civic Chamber to the AICESIS, hence the organizers have placed special emphasis on topics from presidency agenda: future of the AICESIS and its value for the civil society, digitalization of social spheres, depolitisation of health sector.
The virtual launch will present key highlights of the SAM-SDI, explaining how it can be applied by ILO constituents and other partners to enhance the impact of tripartite social dialogue in policy-making, as the world of work seeks to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Representatives of government, employers’ and workers’ organizations will speak about the importance of effective tripartite social dialogue in their national contexts.
Register for the launch REGISTER
Further information can be found in the attached brochure. (brochure for download)
Athens, 4-11-2021
The Economic and Social Council of Greece will organize a public consultation on the Conference on the Future of Europe on November 4, 2021, in Athens, aiming to present the positions of the social partners and stakeholders of Greece on a range of issues, such as: A stronger economy, social justice and jobs (Session 1); Climate change, environment and health (Session 2); the EU in the world and migration (Session 3); European democracy, values, rights and the rule of law (Session 4). A final Declaration will be adopted in the end of the public consultation.
This hybrid event (program attached) will be broadcast live online ( https://www.okefutureofeurope.eu/en/), in Greek and in English.
Following the parenthesis caused by the death of the former acting President of AICESIS, Mr. Koffi Diby, a new President of the Ivorian Council has been appointed, Mr. Eugène Aka Aouele, who thus assumes the Presidency of AICESIS. One of the first decisions of the new President was to call Board meetings (July 29 and September 23) to continue the institutional activity of AICESIS, affected in its functioning both by the change of Presidency and the effects of the pandemic.
After assuming the Presidency of AICESIS, the new President of the CESEC of Côte d'Ivoire, Mr. Eugène Aka Aouele, convened a board meeting which took place on July 29, followed by another one on September 23. The Board has not met since October 2019, and for the first time in the AICESIS history met by videoconference.
The two meetings were devoted to the analysis of the activities developed during this period, which - although limited in view of the circumstances linked to the pandemic - were maintained at a level sufficient to continue the exchange of experiences between partners and collaboration with the ILO. It should be noted the intervention of the President of the Russian Civic Chamber during the September meeting as the next Council which will assume the AICESIS Presidency for 2022-2023.
On March 30, the third of the regional webinars on the socio-economic effects of the pandemic and the role of social dialogue councils and institutions in stimulus measures took place.
During the meeting of Board members on December 17, the situation of OIT-AICESIS cooperation was analyzed, with the participation of the director of the social dialogue department, Mr. Ghellab.
On February 23, 2021, a webinar for the African ESC-SIs took place on the exchange of experiences of the socio-economic effects of the pandemic, socio-political responses and the role of social dialogue institutions in this area.
Today, 25 January 2021, Zornitsa Roussinova - President of the Economic and Social Council (ESC), opened the first plenary session of the new Economic and Social Council. The council's four-year mandate begins on 25 January. Bulgaria faces economic and social challenges, but the Economic and Social Council will contribute at national and European levels to facilitate economic recovery, the creation of jobs, increasing people's incomes, said at the opening of the session ESC President Zornitsa Roussinova.
“The digitalization of the Bulgarian economy and Bulgarian companies, as well as the digital skills not only of the working people, but also of all groups in the society, will be the key topics in the future work of the Economic and Social Council (ESC)”, said Zornitsa Roussinova, the newly elected President by the National Assembly. She participated in a World Bank webinar dedicated to the recently published World Bank report “Europe 4.0: Addressing the Digital Dilemma”. “We are talking about digital transformation now, but soon we will have to talk about digital cohesion”, the ESC President stated.
On November 2, 2020 the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation holds a panel discussion “International Cooperation during the Pandemic: Rethinking the UN SDGs” as a part of the “Community” forum of active citizens.
The National Assembly elected Zornitsa Rusinova as President of the Economic and Social Council /ESC/. Mrs. Rusinova served as Minister and Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy and will succeed Prof. Lalko Dulevski, who has been leading ESC for more than 17 years since its establishment. The Economic and Social Council is the institution of organised civil society, which since 2003 expresses through its acts and organised consultations the positions of the organised civil society on strategic problems of the economic and social development of the country and the European Union.
On November 19, 2020, a webinar was organized for the exchange of experiences between ESCs / SIs from Latin America and the Caribbean regarding the work carried out on the socio-economic effects of Covid 19 in this region.
Le 19 novembre 2020, un webinaire a été organisé pour l'échange d'expériences entre les CES / IS d'Amérique latine et des Caraïbes concernant les travaux menés sur les effets socio-économiques de Covid 19 dans cette région.
On 15th June 2020, the ESC held a Plenary Session and adopted a resolution on the "Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Central Bank, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Economic Governance Review". With this act the ESC joined the public debate procedure, which the European Commission launched and should end on 30th June. The adopted resolution was sent to all European and national stakeholders.
At the Plenary Session held on 22th June, the Economic and Social Council (ESC) adopted an opinion on the "Main Priorities in the Draft EU Strategic Framework on Occupational Safety and Health - 2021-2027".
The Economic and Social Council /ESC/ adopted an analysis “The Problems of Performing and Receiving Payment for Night Work in Bulgaria”. The purpose of the act is to draw attention of the institutions to the specifics of the night work in our country related to the nature of this type of work, as well as to some consequences and risks to the health of workers. Night work payment is also a major focus of the analysis.
