EESC Plenary Session – 605th – Day 1 – 29 April 2026

Day 1 of the 605th Plenary Session featured a debate on competitiveness and the EU’s role in the current geopolitical environment, with António Costa, President of the European Council. Members also discussed the Union of Equality, focusing on advancing LGBTIQ+ rights and banning conversion practices in the EU, linked to the adoption of opinions on the LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026-2030 and the ban on conversion practices.

The session also included the adoption of a wide range of opinions covering culture, bioeconomy, supplementary pensions, civil society and enlargement reforms, territorial supply constraints, equality, and social rights.

???? Full event page: https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/agenda/our-events/events/605th-plenary-session-29-30-april-2026

???? Adopted opinions: https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/agenda/our-events/events/605th-plenary-session-29-30-april-2026/opinions
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00:00:00 Opening remarks by EESC President Séamus Bolland and adoption of the agenda
00:02:10 Introduction of President António Costa by EESC President Séamus Boland
00:07:19 Opening remarks on competitiveness and geopolitics by António Costa, President of the European Council
00:22:13 Competitiveness and the role of the EU in the current geo-political environment - Debate
00:48:18 CCMI/226 Programme for Agile and Rapid Defence Innovation – AGILE
01:01:41 Statement of Séamus Boland, President of the EESC
01:11:02 Election of the INT Section President
01:15:57 Union of Equality: Advancing LGBTIQ+ rights and banning conversion practices - Debate
02:09:00 NAT/970 A comprehensive strategy for nature-based biodegradable materials to foster circularity and resource efficiency, strengthen the agri-food sector and scale-up the EU bioeconomy
02:38:48 INT/1113 Over-tourism, Short-Term Rentals and the Crowding-Out of Local Populations – Finding the Right Balance
02:53:55 ECO/696 EU Policy agenda for liveable cities
03:09:56 REX/612 Civil Society’s Role in Supporting Reform under the Growth Plans for the Western Balkans and Moldova, as well as in Ukraine’s Reform Path
03:27:23 REX/613 The Role of the Private Sector and Civil Society in Strengthening Economic Cooperation within the Pact for the Mediterranean
03:40:46 NAT/971 Food and feed safety simplification omnibus
03:52:59 INT/1115 Revision of the CO2 standards for cars and vans
04:03:21 SOC/852 EU Competitiveness and Youth Entrepreneurship
04:17:02 INT/1107 2030 Consumer Agenda
04:24:32 NAT/992 Equivalence of field inspections carried out in third countries on seed-producing crops and on the equivalence of seed produced in third countries - Vote
04:25:33 NAT/994 Invalidation of allowances in the market stability reserve - Vote
04:26:29 Voting of opinions without debates
04:34:27 Closing remarks