On 23 October 2025, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, delivered a videomessage during the Plenary Session of the European Economic and Social Committee.

In her speech, the President celebrated the European Economic and Social Committee’s role in shaping Europe’s policies through social dialogue, cooperation, and inclusion of civil society. She emphasised that Europe’s competitiveness, innovation, and social model are interconnected, and that strong engagement with citizens is vital for democracy.