GEC selected for the Global Gateway Dialogue Platform
In a world riddled with complex challenges, international cooperation with all stakeholders is essential to drive transformation.
In a world riddled with complex challenges, reinforced international cooperation with all stakeholders is essential to drive transformation. The Global Gateway Civil Society and Local Authorities Dialogue Platform, a pivotal component of the European Commission's Global Gateway governance programme, is striving to facilitate dialogue and collaboration on critical global issues.
We're delighted to announce that the Green Economy Coalition (GEC) has been selected as one of the 57 members of the Global Gateway Civil Society and Local Authorities Dialogue Platform. At the inaugural meeting in Brussels this week, in the margins of the Global Gateway Forum, I represented the GEC with a clear commitment to addressing inequalities and advancing the green transformation.
“ Support for local businesses, cooperatives, and communities is instrumental in reducing inequalities and promoting decent job opportunities.”
Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, emphasized that reducing inequalities is a priority for the Commission, with the European Union as the main provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA). However, she stressed that public finance alone cannot deliver the social and economic benefits of the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, the Global Gateway has emerged as the EU's driving force towards achieving the SDGs, with a focus on creating local value. This involves enhancing national ecosystems, regulatory frameworks, institutional capacity, skills, and human capital to ensure inclusivity and long-term sustainability.
This first meeting of the dialogue platform highlighted the importance of setting targets and measuring progress, with a special emphasis on addressing inequalities. Transparency, intersectionality, multidimensionality, and policy coherence emerged as guiding principles for the platform's contributions to Global Gateway. It was collectively acknowledged that support for local businesses, cooperatives, and communities is instrumental in reducing inequalities and promoting decent job opportunities. This places people and the planet at the forefront, prioritizing their welfare over corporate profits.
For the transition towards a green and sustainable future to be truly meaningful, we must design policies that cater to the needs of marginalized voices, including women, youth, and indigenous communities. Decent living conditions, fair wages, human rights, and labour and employment policies must be carefully structured to encompass these concerns. Moreover, capital and investments should be both environmentally sustainable and socially just.
Mobilizing for change
The GEC is actively mobilizing its network to promote a fair and green transition globally and locally. The eco-social contract framework is essential for nurturing green industrialization with locally fair and inclusive value chains. All relevant stakeholders, including businesses, trade unions, NGOs, SMEs, citizens, and policymakers, must come together to chart new directions and new approaches. Innovative mechanisms like citizens' assemblies, participatory budgeting, and strategic litigation are being explored to unite society and drive the global green and fair economy forward.
The Global Gateway sets a promising course towards a sustainable future, fostering international collaboration and partnership. We in the Green Economy Coalition are ready to support the EU Commission through the Dialogue Platform and beyond. Our work in the Platform has just started, and as we explore new mechanisms for change, we are reminded that together, we can build a greener and fairer world for all.
- Sofía Martínez, Global Policy Director, GEC
