For a Fair, Democratic and Sustainable Bi-regional Integration: Position of the Congress of the International Union of Socialist Youth on the Mercosur–European Union Agreement

1. The Congress of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) reaffirms its commitment to democratic internationalism, regional integration, multilateral cooperation, and the construction of an international order based on rules, rights, and peace.
2. Within this framework, we welcome the forthcoming signing of the Association Agreement between Mercosur and the European Union as a historic opportunity to strengthen political, social, cultural, and economic ties between two regions united by the defense of democracy and human rights, while expanding strategic autonomy in the face of global polarization and new forms of dependency.
3. We recognize, however, that unregulated trade liberalization can deepen inequalities, harm the environment, and weaken productive capacities. Therefore, we affirm that an agreement of this magnitude can only be considered progressive if it becomes a genuine tool for inclusive development, decent work, innovation, a just energy transition, and the reduction of territorial and social gaps.

This resolution recognizes that:

4. Integration must serve to diversify productive and technological matrices, rather than consolidate a primary export-based model.
5. Working, student, and entrepreneurial youth must play a central role in the cooperation, training, and scientific and academic exchange agenda.
6. Environmental and climate protection must be enforceable, with verifiable targets and genuine cooperation to halt deforestation and protect biodiversity.
7. Fundamental labour rights and freedom of association must be fully guaranteed throughout the entire value chain, preventing any form of unfair competition based on precarious work.
8. Small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the social and solidarity economy, require specific instruments to benefit from the agreement without being excluded by structural asymmetries.

Therefore, this resolution:

9. Welcomes the progress of the Mercosur–European Union Agreement and its potential to consolidate a democratic bi-regional partnership.
10. Calls on governments and parliaments of both blocs to advance its approval by incorporating enforceable labour, environmental, health, and human rights guarantees, with effective compliance mechanisms and sanctions for non-compliance.
11. Demands that the sustainable development chapter include verifiable commitments consistent with the Paris Agreement, ecosystem protection, environmental traceability, and transparent controls to prevent greenwashing.
12. Requests the creation of a permanent bi-regional monitoring mechanism, with the participation of youth, trade unions, universities, cooperatives, environmental and human rights organizations, ensuring public access to information and periodic evaluations.
13. Promotes a comprehensive cooperation package for a just transition, including financing, technology transfer, training for green jobs, productive reconversion, and support for SMEs, especially in regions with higher social vulnerability.
14. Encourages public procurement, innovation, and productive linkage clauses that promote value addition, sustainable industrialization, and balanced territorial development, avoiding the reprimarization of our economies.
15. Supports transparent and proportional safeguard measures to protect sensitive sectors and quality employment, alongside competitiveness policies based on productivity, science, and technology, rather than wage adjustment.
16. Urges that the implementation of the agreement incorporate a gender perspective, social inclusion, and respect for Indigenous peoples and local communities, guaranteeing prior consultation, effective participation, and collective rights.
17. Entrusts the next IUSY General Secretariat with the promotion of dialogue and cooperation spaces between progressive youth organizations from Mercosur and the European Union, to accompany the implementation of the agreement with a social-democratic agenda centered on rights, sustainability, and democracy.