PES Congress Opens in Amsterdam: Together we are leading the change

Progressives from across Europe and beyond are gathering in Amsterdam for the opening of the PES Congress 2025, a landmark moment of Progressive Mobilisation in Europe and beyond.

Over the next three days, leaders, activists, and citizens will unite to turn ideas into action - shaping a progressive vision for a fairer, more democratic, and more sustainable Europe.

Ahead of the opening of the congress, PES President Stefan Löfven said:

"Europe is facing widening inequalities, authoritarian threats and growing insecurity. Our mission is twofold: to protect what matters and to change what must be improved. The PES stands ready to lead, to make Europe fairer, greener and more democratic, turning our shared values into concrete solutions for the everyday lives of citizens. Together, we lead the change that Europe needs."

The opening featured a special screening of the documentary No Other Land by Oscar award-winning Palestinian director Basel Adra, introduced byPES Vice-President Kati Piriand moderated byJuliette Delacroix, International Secretary of Belgium's Parti Socialiste. The film portrays the daily struggle of the people of Masafer Yatta in the occupied West Bank and their fight for dignity and peace.

PES Vice-President Kati Piri, said:

Thank you for making this documentary, personifying in 1.5 hours what your family has lived for decades. What we saw, is what terrorism looks like. Yes, there Is perhaps a ceasefire in Gaza, but there is still occupation, apartheid, impunity, and civilians being killed. If we continue looking away, we are green lighting this.

Tomorrow morning, PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck will officially open the Congress alongside leaders and activists from across Europe and beyond.

Ahead of the opening of the congress, PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck said:

"This Congress is a call to action. Progressive Mobilisation in Europe and beyond means bringing people together to solve problems - jobs and fair work, climate and competitiveness, democracy and the rule of law. Over the next three days we will turn ideas into action: elect our leadership, adopt 14 resolutions that set out our common roadmap, and show that progressives deliver - fairly, democratically, and together."

Over three days, the Congress will convene more than 100 speakers across 25 panels, side events and parallel sessions, bringing together prime ministers, commissioners, mayors, trade unionists, activists, journalists and thinkers. Delegates will elect the next PES President and PES Presidency members and adopt 14 resolutions defining our common roadmap for the years ahead - a collective call to strengthen social democracy and renew Europe's progressive promise.

Themes on the agenda include: jobs and fair work, climate, competitiveness and the Green Deal, democracy and the fight against the far-right, the Middle East and humanitarian responsibility, big cities, housing and quality of life, equal rights and LGBTIQA+ equality, migration, renewal of social democracy, media challenges, tax justice, Ukraine, defence and security, Global South, and women and leadership.

As the Congress unfolds, one message will guide us all: this is the Progressive Mobilisation in Europe and beyond - where we turn ideas into action for fairness, democracy and peace.

Full programme here: https://events.pes.eu/