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Ladies and Gentlemen,

Just one year ago, we met in Val Duchesse and promised to set out a new Pact for European Social Dialogue. Since then, the world has changed significantly. Artificial intelligence is rapidly developing, and global competition is intensifying. Tariffs across the Atlantic are looming. This is a decisive moment for Europes economy, a period of transition and transformation. By the end of the decade, we need to double the number of workers in digital and AI sectors. Simultaneously, the shift to clean energy will create over 1 million new jobs by 2030. Significant investments are required in skills, AI adoption, energy, and digital infrastructure.

These facts demonstrate why we need a new Pact for European Social Dialogue. In other parts of the world, economic transformation is planned by the government or driven purely by profit logic. The European social market economy is different. When technologies shift and industries evolve, our social dialogue ensures fairness and sustainable success for all. Employees and employers know that cooperation is essential for long-term success. Social dialogue transforms disruptive innovations into progress for everyone and keeps the well-being of competitive companies and workers at the heart of everything we do.

In a changing world, Europe must change too. Social partners will help drive this change. You know best what businesses and workers need to thrive and where our rules need updating. In these uncertain times, Europes well-balanced system of collective bargaining is a competitive advantage. With this Pact, we commit to putting social dialogue at the heart of European decision-making. We will now consult with you on all new proposals that affect you. Let me outline three areas where social dialogue will be crucial in the coming months.

First, implementing the Clean Industrial Deal. This is our plan for European industry and workers to deliver climate action and competitiveness in one strategy. Your input is essential here, for example, on how we can help offshore oil and gas workers transition to new roles in offshore wind or ocean energy. Or how we can train and upskill the 800,000 workers needed in the battery sector to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles. Because when it comes to the details of what companies and workers need, nothing can replace the collective expertise of strong social dialogue.

Second, social dialogue is central to our work with Europes automotive, chemical, and steel industries. These sectors struggle with structurally high energy costs, and their supply chains are exposed to a hostile geopolitical environment. Often, they face unfair competition, such as state-sponsored overcapacity from China and the USs intention to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminum exports. Europe will always stand for open markets and fair competition, but we will act when the interests of our businesses and workers are threatened. Here too, we will continue to work closely with you to ensure that the future of these industries is in Europe.

Finally, social dialogue is crucial to delivering a true Union of Skills. If we want to lead in the industries of tomorrow, we need workers with the right skills. This means investing in education, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and encouraging more girls and women to choose these subjects. It also means investing in training and upskilling. The motivation and need for action are there: 60% of European workers believe they need new knowledge or skills to make the most of AI. Digital Europe estimates that we need at least 300,000 new cybersecurity professionals by 2030. Let us jointly invest in digital skills across the workforce, but also in highly specialized expertise. Again, we need your support, our social partners. You are best placed to see what skills are needed and what is missing.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

By signing this Pact, we reaffirm our commitment to social dialogue. But more importantly, we agree to work shoulder-to-shoulder to jointly address the most pressing challenges of our time.

Thank you. And long live Europe.