On 12–13 March 2026, Madrid became a hub for high-level debate on the future of European sustainability regulation. The VII International Corporate Governance Congress, hosted at CEU San Pablo University, focused on “Sustainability Regulation within the Framework of the EU Omnibus I and II Packages” .
At a moment when ESG is moving from voluntary commitment to binding legal architecture, the Congress brought together leading academics, judges, policymakers and corporate practitioners to address a key question: is the EU’s Omnibus reform a true simplification or a turning point that reshapes the balance between sustainability and competitiveness?
The opening keynote explored the evolution of ESG shareholder activism, highlighting how sustainability is no longer driven solely by investor pressure. Today, it is embedded in EU directives, reporting standards and due diligence obligations that directly affect boards of directors and corporate strategy.
Discussions throughout the two days made one thing clear: sustainability reporting is no longer a technical compliance exercise. The divergence between financial materiality and the EU’s double materiality model, the digitalisation of reporting and the potential liability linked to sustainability disclosures are redefining corporate risk management.
A central focus of the Congress was the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and its implementation in the context of Omnibus I and II. Panels examined governance implications, supply-chain risks such as modern slavery and the growing exposure of directors to civil liability connected to sustainability failures.
Rather than treating ESG as a parallel framework, speakers emphasised that sustainability is now deeply integrated into board decision-making, AI governance, dispute resolution mechanisms, and long-term value creation.
The event was also framed within the Erasmus+ BEYOND project (Boosting and Enhancing Young Next Generation Awareness for ESG Values Development) , reinforcing the importance of equipping younger generations with the tools to understand and shape the future of sustainable corporate governance.
The VII International Corporate Governance Congress highlighted a decisive phase for Europe. As the EU refines its sustainability framework through the Omnibus Packages, the challenge is not only regulatory coherence, but ensuring that simplification strengthens, rather than weakens, corporate accountability.
In a rapidly evolving geopolitical and economic landscape, sustainability is no longer a trend. It is a structural dimension of governance and Europe is redefining its rules in real time.
You can find the complete programme of the event down below: