The 2025 PES Congress in Amsterdam concluded with A Call for Progressive Mobilisation in Europe and Beyond, a collective commitment to act for fairness, democracy and peace in Europe and across the globe.
Over three days, progressive leaders, activists, and thinkers from Europe and beyond shared one message: that unity, courage and hope in action are the foundations of a fairer, more sustainable and more democratic future.
Opening the day, PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck invited PES President Stefan Löfven to the stage.
”It is fundamentally important to our political families, to bring progressives together. Whether from different continents, from different backgrounds, from different political contexts, our adversary is the same. This is a mission that we want to carry on, and this congress is the very beginning of this endeavor.”
In his concluding remarks, PES President Stefan Löfven said:
”Here, together, we have shown what our family does best: we turn commitments into results. We know what is at stake: inequalities are widening; trust in democracy is fragile; war has returned to our borders; the climate crisis is accelerating; and the far right is feeding fear in our societies.
But here, together, we refuse fear. We choose hope in action. As some turn inward and divide, we turn outward and work together.
This is who we are, and what we stand for.”
Alongside President of the European Council António Costa, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and GroenLinks–PvdA Leader Frans Timmermans, Löfven reaffirmed that progressives will stand hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder against the reactionary right.
Leader of GroenLinks PvdA Frans Timmermans said:
”I guess you guys are just as inspired as I am. Our movement has given Europe the understanding that civil rights can only work if they’re paired with social rights. Friends, I leave you with a very brief message, look for unity, don’t exclude people because of what they say even if it’s not to your liking or you find it offensive. We need to listen to people’s pain. We must use the politics of Jacinda Ardern, the politics of kindness.”
From ideas to action
Throughout the Congress, discussions covered Europe’s most pressing challenges — from climate ambition and fair jobs to global partnerships, equality and democracy.
Panels such as “Green Deal, Clean Industry, Competitive Europe” and “Progressive Leadership Matters” addressed how to combine industrial strength with social and environmental justice, while “Redefining Security in a Changing Global Order” and “Transatlantic Relations: a Shared Progressive Agenda” explored Europe’s evolving role in a complex world.
Audience goers were deeply moved by the powerful speeches of former Prime Minister of Palestine, Mohammed Shtayyeh, and the leader of the Israeli party the Democrats, Yair Golan – united in; their determination for a two-state solution; and peace in the region.
The event initiated the Global Progressive Mobilisation to strengthen progressives around the world, which was also welcomed by Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva that adressed the congress by video.
Inspirational exchanges between figures like Jacinda Ardern, Yulia Navalnaya, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Jonas Gahr Støre, and David Lammy highlighted leadership rooted in courage, empathy and democratic conviction. Addressing the congress by video; Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi; and Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir expressed their full support for a global progressive mobilisation.
Side events further expanded the Congress’s reach, bringing networks, foundations, and activists together to discuss themes from energy transition and social democracy renewal to tax justice, migration policy, and the future of work. These parallel sessions reflected the PES’s spirit of open debate and collaboration across movements and generations.
A movement united
The Congress also paid tribute to those defending democracy and human rights worldwide — from Ukraine to Turkey, from Belarus to Palestine. Cultural moments such as the screening of No Other Land and testimonies from medical professionals working in Gaza reminded participants of the human dimension behind political action.
The full text of A Call for Progressive Mobilisation in Europe and Beyond is available here.
To see photos from the congress click here – no restrictions.
