The Economic and Social Council of Greece (OKE), as chair of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS), hosted the AICESIS Governing Board meeting in Thessaloniki from January 29 to 31, 2026. On this occasion, a workshop was also held on the theme of the Greek presidency, "Building bridges for a just transition and global social justice."

CES Romania, which holds a new mandate on the Board of Directors for the period 2025-2027, was represented by a delegation led by President Sterică Fudulea and composed of Liviu Apostoiu, member of the Executive Bureau, Costin-Radu Gănescu, member of the Plenary, and Ms. Cătălina Voicu, member of the Executive Bureau, Lorena Stoian, Secretary General, and Anca Simitopol, Director of International Relations and Public Relations. Representatives of the other 16 ESCs that are members of the Administrative Board also participated. 

Among other things, the Board of Directors meeting addressed the prospects for cooperation with the UN ECOSOC and the International Labour Organization in 2026, as well as the bilateral agreement with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).
The workshop focused on strengthening the role of economic and social councils in promoting a just transition and social justice, highlighting the specific contribution of these institutions, based on the tradition of social and civic dialogue and collective expertise in support of public policy-making.

During the debates, President Fudulea presented issues relevant to Romania, including the implementation of the Just Transition Program 2021–2027, designed to support former industrial and mining regions. At the same time, the socioeconomic analysis that formed the basis of the program was completed in December 2022, and since then the landscape has changed considerably. The outbreak of war in Ukraine has created new challenges, especially for border regions, which were themselves former industrial areas and economically disadvantaged even before the conflict. The Danube Delta, one of the country`s most ecologically valuable regions, is facing severe pollution due to the war. These border regions urgently need monitoring of environmental risks, along with tracking the social and economic impact of the war on the population. The Romanian Council has already adopted a position on this issue, "Public policies for the socio-economic strengthening of the Black Sea area and the border regions of the European Union." It is essential for the CES-IS, at this point, to continue to encourage the "spirit of dialogue," as it has done so far, but more strongly and more effectively. Because more dialogue means less conflict, said President Fudulea. 

During these events, the Romanian delegation met with Her Excellency Corina Crețu, Consul General of Romania in Thessaloniki. On this occasion, the president of the ESC presented the position of the Economic and Social Council of Romania on just transition and social justice. At the same time, Her Excellency Ms. Corina Crețu and President Sterică Fudulea discussed the prospects for cooperation between the Economic and Social Council and the Consulate General of Romania in Thessaloniki, with a view to strengthening social and civic dialogue at national, European, and international level.