EU Social Summit in Porto; Pavillon Rosa Mota; Credit: © SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen

On Friday 7 May 2021, Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, represented the Grand Duchy in Porto at the EU Socila Summit.

EU leaders, European institutions, social partners and civil society representatives met to reinforce their commitment to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights.

At the high-level conference organised by the Portuguese presidency in the context of the Porto Social Summit, they discussed how to set the European social policy agenda for the next decade and ensure that we face the challenges of the present and of the future leaving no one behind.

The discussions revolved around three main areas: work and employment; skills and innovation; welfare state and social protection. At the end of the conference, EU institutions, European social partners and civil society representatives co-signed the Porto Social Commitment.

This was followed by an informal meeting of heads of state or government on Saturday 8 May.

Background

The EU proclaimed the European Pillar of Social Rights in 2017. The pillar sets out 20 key principles that guide us towards a strong social Europe that is fair, inclusive and full of opportunity in the 21st century.

In March 2021, the European Commission presented an action plan for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. The action plan proposes a number of initiatives and sets three main targets to be achieved throughout Europe by 2030:

- an employment rate of at least 78% in the European Union
- at least 60% of adults attending training courses every year
- reducing the number of people at risk of social exclusion or poverty by at least 15 million people, including 5 million children


PM Bettel speaking at the Skills and Innovation working session: © SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen