This first issue of ECHO 2025 gives us the opportunity to extend to you and your families our best wishes for health, happiness, and success.

The year 2024 was marked, among other things, by progress achieved through concertation on the Early Retirement Measure (PTP) and Saved Leave Scheme (SLS) programs, the revision of Circular No. 30 (which governs financial benefits on taking up appointment and on termination of contract), and the continuation of work on guaranteeing social protection (pensions and health insurance). This work is being carried out by a dedicated working group in which both the Staff Association (SA) and the GAC-EPA participate.

We have kept you informed through 5 public meetings held over the course of the year, in-depth articles published in ECHO, and the special issue of Proton on social protection which we released last autumn.

We also reached out to gather your feedback and perspectives on well-being at work through our questionnaire.

In 2025, the Staff Association will once again engage with you to keep you informed about the progress of ongoing matters. The topics addressed will be numerous, varied, and significant, including, among other things, the revision of Internal Justice mechanisms and the review of Administrative Circular No. 14 (protection of members of the personnel against the financial consequences of illness, accident and incapacity for work).

2025 will be marked by the preparation of the Five-Yearly Review (5YR) and the summary of the results of previous 5YR, which will be presented to the TREF (Tripartite Forum for discussion involving the Member States, the Management, and the SA) by the Management in November.

In addition, in 2025 the Association will celebrate its 70^th anniversary! Throughout the year, we will invite you to commemorate this milestone through a variety of activities: exhibitions, conferences, shows, concerts, and many other festive moments. We look forward to sharing warm and convivial moments with you and your families.

As in previous years and for many years now, the Association will once again stand by your side in this new year through the Individual Cases Commission (CAPA) to assist and advise you in managing personal situations that require specific attention.

The Association is the only statutory body that represents all members of the personnel, both employed and associated (MPE and MPA), in discussions with the Management and the Member States.

But above all, the Association is you—its members! Each and every one of us contributes to its dynamism and impact. Together, we can move our projects forward and defend the interests of the members of the personnel and the Organization even more effectively!