For 65 years, the European Social Charter has provided a common European framework for protecting dignity, equality, solidarity and social justice. At the heart of this system, the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) plays an essential role in monitoring compliance with the Charter.

Through its conclusions and decisions, the ECSR reminds us that social rights are not merely political aspirations. They are legal commitments that must be translated into concrete improvements in people's lives.

Yet this anniversary must also be an opportunity to look ahead. Following the Chisinau Declaration, adopted on 19 March 2026 at the high-level conference on Social Rights held in Chișinău, we must encourage all States Parties to deepen their commitments by accepting additional provisions of the Charter and progressively moving towards acceptance of all its provisions. Every additional commitment represents a further step towards more comprehensive protection of social rights and a stronger, more coherent European social rights system.

We must also encourage States to accept the Revised European Social Charter where they have not yet done so, and to accept the collective complaints procedure, strengthening the opportunities for social partners and civil society organisations to contribute to the effective implementation of social rights.

The challenge is now to turn commitments into implementation, standards into tangible progress, and democratic principles into lived realities for everyone.

As we look towards a New Democratic Pact for Europe, the message is clear: democratic renewal must go hand in hand with social progress. Protecting democratic institutions is essential, but so is addressing inequalities, strengthening public trust, promoting participation and ensuring that everyone can effectively enjoy their fundamental rights.

Social rights are not an addition to democracy; they are one of its essential foundations. A resilient democracy requires States to go beyond existing commitments, strengthen implementation and embrace the full potential of the European Social Charter.

On this 65th anniversary, let us renew our collective determination to uphold the Charter, strengthen its implementation and ensure that the New Democratic Pact for Europe New Democratic Pact for Europe places social rights and social justice dignity at the heart of democratic renewal.