Logo Assembly Logo Hemicycle

Activities of the Assembly’s Bureau and Standing Committee (27 January 2025)

Progress report | Doc. 16096 Add. 4 | 27 January 2025

Author(s):
Bureau of the Assembly
Rapporteur :
Mr Pablo HISPÁN, Spain, EPP/CD

1 Decisions of the Bureau of 27 January 2025 requiring ratification by the Assembly

1.1 Vice-Presidents of the Assembly in 2025

The Bureau took note of the list of candidates for Vice-Presidents of the Assembly (Appendix 1).

1.2 Election of judges to the European Court of Human Rights

The Bureau took note of the report drawn up by the Committee on the election of judges following interviews with candidates for the posts of judges in respect of Andorra, Armenia and Slovenia, subject to ratification by the Assembly through the Progress report (Doc. 16096 Add. 2).

1.3 Composition of Monitoring Committee, the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs and the Committee on the Election of Judges to the European Court of Human Rights

The Bureau, on the basis of proposals by the political groups, nominated members of these three committees and decided to submit them to the Assembly for ratification (Commissions (2025) 01 Addendum 1).

1.4 Resolution 1376 (2004) relating to Cyprus

The Bureau took note of the letters from the two Turkish Cypriot political parties informing the President of the Assembly of the names of the “elected representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community” entitled to sit in the Assembly in 2025, namely Mr Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu and Mr Armağan Candan.

1.5 Resolution 2094 (2016) on the situation in KosovoNote and the role of the Council of Europe

The Bureau took note of the letter by the President of the Assembly of Kosovo* informing the President of the Assembly of the names of the members of the delegation of the Assembly of Kosovo* for the 2025 ordinary session and approved the list of the delegation:

Members:

  • Ms Saranda Bogujevci, Self-Determination Movement, Head of Delegation
  • Mr Arben Gashi, Democratic League of Kosovo
  • Mr Enis Kervan, Parliamentary Group “Multiethnic”

Substitutes:

  • Ms Ariana Musliu-Shoshi, Democratic Party of Kosovo
  • Mr Besnik Tahiri, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo
  • ZZ

1.6 Resolution 2530 (2024) on a democratic future for Belarus

The Bureau took note of the letter by the Speaker of the Coordination Council of Belarus informing the President of the Assembly of the names of the members of the representative delegation of Belarusian democratic forces for the 2025 ordinary session and approved the list of the delegation:

Members:

  • Ms Anzhalika Melnikava, Speaker of the Coordination Council
  • Mr Pavel Latushka, leader of the “Latushka Team and Movement for Freedom” Group
  • Ms Alexandra Mamaeva, member of the “European Choice” Group

Substitutes:

  • Ms Marharyta Vorykhava, member of the “Youth Act” Group
  • Mr Valery Matskevich, member of the “European Choice” Group
  • Mr Pavel Tereshkovich, member of the “Nasha Sprava/Belarusian Christian Democrats” Group

1.7 Granting of additional rights to the Moroccan delegation

The Bureau took note of the letter by the Chairperson of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy on the implementation of Resolution 2492 (2023) Assessing the functioning of the partnership for democracy and decided to grant the additional rights to the Moroccan delegation provided in sub-paragraphs 64.7.a. to 64.7.e. of the Rules of Procedure as of the 2025 January part-session of the Assembly (Appendix 2).

1.8 Election observation

1.8.1 Albania: parliamentary elections (11 May 2025)

The Bureau decided to observe these elections and to set up an ad hoc committee composed of 20 members (SOC: 6; EPP/CD: 6; ECPA: 4; ALDE: 3; UEL: 1), as well as the two co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee; and to conduct a pre-electoral mission (subject to receiving an invitation).

1.8.2 Poland: presidential election (18 May 2025)

The Bureau decided to observe this election and to set up an ad hoc committee composed of 30 members (SOC: 9; EPP/CD:9; ECPA: 6; ALDE: 5; UEL: 1), as well as the two co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee; and to conduct a pre-electoral mission (subject to receiving an invitation).

1.9 Meeting between parliamentarians from the Nordic Council and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Kristiansand, Norway, 4-5 May 2025

The Bureau decided to set up an ad hoc Committee of the Bureau to participate in this event, composed of the President of the Assembly, the chairpersons of the five political groups and a member of each of the following committees: Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy; Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights; Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development and Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media.

The Assembly is invited to ratify these Bureau decisions.

2 Other decisions by the Bureau

2.1 First part-session of 2025 (Strasbourg, 27-31 January)

2.1.1 Requests for debates under urgent procedure

The Bureau took note of the requests to hold debates on:

  • Opinion on a draft convention for the protection of the profession of lawyer, tabled by the five political groups: decided to recommend to the Assembly to hold this debate, and to refer the matter to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report;
  • The urgent need for free and fair elections in Belarus, tabled by Mr Ryszard Petru and other members of the Assembly: decided to recommend to the Assembly to hold this debate, and to refer the matter to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report;
  • European Commitment to a Just and Lasting Peace in Ukraine, tabled by Ms Olena Khomenko and other members of the Assembly: decided to recommend to the Assembly to hold this debate, and to refer the matter to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report.

2.1.2 Draft agenda

The Bureau updated the agenda of the part-session and, taking into account the high number of registered speakers, decided to reduce the speaking time on Monday to two minutes.

2.1.3 Joint Committee (Strasbourg, 30 January 2025)

The Bureau prepared the meeting of the Joint Committee.

2.2 Progress report of the Bureau of the Assembly and of the Standing Committee (4 October 2024 – 26 January 2025)

The Bureau approved the Progress report (Doc. 16096).

2.3 Election observation

2.3.1 Assembly of KosovoNote: elections (9 February 2025)

The Bureau took note of the statement of the pre-electoral mission held on 16-17 January 2025 and approved the list of members of the ad hoc committee to observe these elections (Appendix 3).

2.3.2 Parliamentary Assembly Network of Election Observers

The Bureau approved the list of members of the Network (Appendix 4).

2.3.3 Schedule of the elections in 2025

The Bureau took note of the calendar.

2.4 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize

The Bureau nominated Mr Tiny Kox, former President of the Parliamentary Assembly, as member of the Selection Panel for a first term of two years starting from 1 June 2025. It also took note of the press release of the launch of the 2025 edition of the Prize.

2.5 Issues raised by committees

2.5.1 Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media

The Bureau took note of the letter by the Chairperson of the Committee and approved the terms of reference of the Parliamentary Alliance for Good Governance and Integrity in Sport (Appendix 5).

2.6 Communications

The Bureau took note of the communications by the President of the Assembly, the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe. It held an exchange of views with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

Appendix 1 – Vice-Presidents of the Assembly in 2025

GROUPS / GROUPES

COUNTRY /

PAYS

CANDIDATURES

GROUP I / GROUPE I

France

Mr Bertrand BOUYX

Germany / Allemagne

Mr Armin LASCHET

Italy / Italie

Ms Elisabetta GARDINI

Türkiye

Mr Yıldırım Tuğrul TÜRKEŞ

United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni

Lord Don TOUHIG

GROUP II / GROUPE II

Poland / Pologne

Ms Agnieszka POMASKA

Spain / Espagne

Mr Antonio GUITÉRREZ LIMONES

GROUP III / GROUPE III

Azerbaijan / Azerbaïdjan

Vacant seat / siège vacant

Belgium / Belgique

Mr Andries GRYFFROY

Bosnia and Herzegovina / Bosnie-Herzégovine

Vacant seat / siège vacant

Bulgaria / Bulgarie

Vacant seat / siège vacant

Croatia / Croatie

Mr Marko PAVIĆ

Czechia / Tchéquie

Ms Miroslava NĚMCOVÁ

Denmark / Danemark

Mr Mogens JENSEN

Finland / Finlande

Ms Miapetra KUMPULA-NATRI

GROUP IV / GROUPE IV

Albania / Albanie

Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI

Andorra / Andorre

Ms Bernadeta COMA

Armenia / Arménie

Ms Arusyak JULHAKYAN

Cyprus / Chypre

Vacant seat / siège vacant

Appendix 2 – Special guests, observers, partners for democracy and other guests, Rules of Procedure of the Assembly

Rule 64 – Partners for democracy

64.7. On a proposal by the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, the Bureau may decide to grant some additional rights to partner for democracy delegations which have shown outstanding results in achieving the goals of the partnership and participate fully in the work of the Assembly. The decision of the Bureau shall be ratified by the Assembly at the beginning of a new session (in January) and shall be valid for the duration of the session (one year), with the possibility or not of extension at each following session depending on the results and according to the same procedure. Such additional rights for the delegations and their members may include:

64.7.a. the right to table motions for recommendations and resolutions, subject to co-signature by a member of the Assembly, with both names appearing as authors of the motion;

64.7.b. the right to table amendments, subject to co-signature by a member of the Assembly, with both names appearing as authors of the amendment;

64.7.c. the right to request current affairs debates and to be chosen to open such debates. If such a request is made by an individual member of a partner for democracy delegation, it should be subject to co-signature by a member of the Assembly, with both names appearing as authors of the request, and to having the support of 19 more members of the Assembly. If a request is made by a partner for democracy delegation, it should be supported by a political group, a national delegation or a committee, as provided by Rule 53.2;

64.7.d. the right to table written declarations, subject to co-signature by a member of the Assembly, with both names appearing as authors of the written declaration;

64.7.e. the right to be appointed as rapporteur for information reports which do not contain a draft resolution and/or recommendation.

Appendix 3 – Revised list of members of the ad hoc committee to observe the elections in the Assembly of KosovoNote (9 February 2025)

Chairperson / Présidente: Ms / Mme Petra BAYR, Austria / Autriche

Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group / Groupe des socialistes, démocrates et verts (SOC)

  • Ms / Mme Sibel ARSLAN, Switzerland / Suisse ****
  • Ms / Mme Petra BAYR, Austria / Autriche **
  • Mr / M. Christophe CHAILLOU, France
  • Mr / M. Titus CORLĂŢEAN, Romania / Roumanie
  • Mr / M. Yves CRUCHTEN, Luxembourg
  • Mr / M. Yunus EMRE, Türkiye
  • Ms / Mme Edite ESTRELA, Portugal ****
  • Ms / Mme Annick LAMBRECHT, Belgium / Belgique

Substitutes / Suppléant·es

  • Mr / M. Jone BLIKRA, Norway / Norvège
  • Ms / Mme Cat ECCLES, United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni
  • Mr / M. Cerni ESCALE CABRE, Andorra / Andorre
  • Mr / M. Pierre-Alain FRIDEZ, Switzerland / Suisse ***
  • Mr / M. Gerardo GIOVAGNOLI, San Marino / Saint-Marin
  • Ms / Mme Bisera KOSTADINOVSKA-STOJEVSKA, North Macedonia / Macédoine du Nord
  • Ms / Mme Miapetra KUMPULA-NATRI, Finland / Finlande ***
  • Mr / M. Didier MARIE, France
  • Ms / Mme Anna-Kristiina MIKKONEN, Finland / Finlande
  • Mr / M. Paulo PISCO, Portugal
  • Mr / M. Stefan SCHENNACH, Austria / Autriche
  • Ms / Mme Céline THIÉBAULT-MARTINEZ, France

Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD) / Groupe du Parti populaire européen (PPE/DC)

  • Ms / Mme Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER, Austria / Autriche **
  • Mr / M. Pablo HISPÁN, Spain / Espagne
  • Mr / M. Cristian-Augustin NICULESCU-ȚÂGÂRLAȘ, Romania / Roumanie
  • Mr / M. Georgios STAMATIS, Greece / Grèce

European Conservatives, Patriots & Affiliates (ECPA) / Conservateurs européens, Patriotes & Affiliés (CEPA)

  • Mr / M. Oleksii GONCHARENKO, Ukraine
  • ZZ
  • ZZ

Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) / Alliance des démocrates et des libéraux pour l’Europe (ADLE)

  • Mr / M. Mehmet AKALIN, Türkiye ****
  • Mr / M. Nikolla CAMAJ, Montenegro / Monténégro
  • Ms / Mme Diana STOICA, Romania / Roumanie
  • Ms / Mme Liliana TANGUY, France

Group of the Unified European Left (UEL) / Groupe pour la gauche unitaire européenne (GUE)

  • Ms / Mme Nina KASIMATI, Greece / Grèce

Substitutes / Suppléant·es

  • Mr / M. George LOUCAIDES, Cyprus / Chypre

* All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo. / Toute référence au Kosovo, que ce soit le territoire, les institutions ou la population, doit se comprendre en pleine conformité avec la Résolution 1244 du Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies et sans préjuger du statut du Kosovo.

** Pre-electoral mission / mission pré-électorale.

*** Awaiting the non-conflict of interest declaration / en attente de la déclaration de non-conflit d’intérêt.

**** Members appointed in line with paragraph 14 of the Guidelines for the observation of elections by the Parliamentary Assembly / Membres désignés conformément au para.14 des Lignes directrices pour l’observation des élections par l’Assemblée parlementaire.

Appendix 4 – List of members of the Parliamentary Assembly Network of Election Observers

Chairperson / Président: Lord David BLENCATHRA, United Kingdom, ECPA / Royaume-Uni, CEPA

Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group / Groupe des socialistes, démocrates et verts (SOC)

  • Ms / Mme Petra BAYR, Austria / Autriche
  • Mr / M. Andrea CRISANTI, Italy / Italie
  • Mr / M. Costis EFSTATHIOU, Cyprus / Chypre
  • Mr / M. Yunus EMRE, Türkiye
  • Mr / M. Piero FASSINO, Italy / Italie
  • Mr / M. Pierre-Alain FRIDEZ, Switzerland / Suisse
  • Mr / M. Gerardo GIOVAGNOLI, San Marino / Saint-Marin
  • Ms / Mme Saskia KLUIT, Netherlands / Pays-Bas
  • Ms / Mme Arndís Anna KRISTÍNARDÓTTIR GUNNARSDÓTTIR, Iceland / Islande
  • Mr / M. Max LUCKS, Germany / Allemagne
  • Mr / M. Jamila MADEIRA, Portugal
  • Mr / M. Sasa MAGAZINOVIC, Bosnia and Herzegovina / Bosnie-Herzégovine
  • Mr / M. Didier MARIE *, France
  • Ms / Mme Kate OSBORNE, United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni
  • Mr / M. Paulo PISCO, Portugal
  • Mr / M. Stefan SCHENNACH, Austria / Autriche

Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD) / Groupe du Parti populaire européen (PPE/DC)

  • Mr / M. Pauli AALTO-SETÄLÄ, Finland / Finlande
  • Mr / M. Christophe BRICO, Monaco
  • Ms / Mme Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER, Austria / Autriche
  • Ms / Mme Arusyak JULHAKYAN, Armenia / Arménie
  • Mr / M. Yuriy KAMELCHUK, Ukraine
  • Mr / M. Cristian-Augustin NICULESCU-ȚÂGÂRLAȘ, Romania / Roumanie
  • Ms / Mme Catia POLIDORI*, Italy / Italie
  • Mr / M. Chris SAID, Malta / Malte
  • Mr / M. Georgios STAMATIS, Greece / Grèce
  • Ms / M. Maria SYRENGELA, Greece / Grèce
  • Mr / M. Nicos TORNARITIS, Cyprus / Chypre

European Conservatives, Patriots & Affiliates (ECPA) / Conservateurs européens, Patriotes & Affiliés (CEPA)

  • Lord David BLENCATHRA*, United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni
  • Mr / M. Armen GEVORGYAN, Armenia / Arménie
  • Mr / M. Oleksii GONCHARENKO, Ukraine
  • Mr / M. Jan KANTHAK, Poland / Pologne
  • Mr / M. Axel KASSEGGER, Austria / Autriche
  • Mr / M. Norbert KLEINWÄCHTER, Germany / Allemagne
  • Mr / M. Daniel MILEWSKI, Poland / Pologne
  • Mr / M. Kacper Maciej PŁAŻYŃSKI, Poland / Pologne
  • Mr / M. Marcin ROMANOWSKI, Poland / Pologne
  • Mr / M. José María SÁNCHEZ GARCÍA, Spain / Espagne
  • Mr / M. Harald WEYEL, Germany / Allemagne
  • Mr / M. Markus WIECHEL, Sweden / Suède
  • Mr / M. Morten WOLD, Norway / Norvège

Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) / Alliance des démocrates et des libéraux pour l’Europe (ADLE)

  • Mr / M. Mehmet AKALIN, Türkiye
  • Mr / M. François BONNEAU, France
  • Mr / M. Damien COTTIER, Switzerland / Suisse
  • Ms / Mme Valentina GRIPPO, Italy / Italie
  • Mr / M. Claude KERN*, France
  • Ms / Mme Yevheniia KRAVCHUK, Ukraine
  • Mr / M. Michael LINK, Germany / Allemagne
  • Ms / Mme Fiona O’LOUGHLIN, Ireland / Irlande
  • Mr / M. Dean PREMIK, Slovenia / Slovénie
  • Ms / Mme Liliana TANGUY, France
  • Mr / M. Kim VALENTIN, Denmark / Danemark
  • Ms / Mme Lesia VASYLENKO, Ukraine
  • Ms / Mme Rian VOGELS, Netherlands / Pays-Bas
  • Ms / Mme Lesia ZABURANNA, Ukraine

Group of the Unified European Left (UEL) / Groupe pour la gauche unitaire européenne (GUE)

  • Ms / Mme Laura CASTEL, Spain / Espagne
  • Ms / Mme Sevilay ÇELENK, Türkiye
  • Mr / M. Paul GAVAN, Ireland / Irlande
  • Ms / Mme Nina KASIMATI, Greece / Grèce
  • Mr / M. George LOUCAIDES*, Cyprus / Chypre

Non-registered PACE members / Membres APCE non-inscrit·es

Ex officio members/ Membres ex officio

PACE President/

Président de l’APCE

Mr / M. Theodoros ROUSOPOULOUS

Greece /Grèce

POL

Mr / M. Bertrand BOUYX

France

JUR

Lord Richard KEEN

United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni

MON

Ms / Mme Zanda KALNINA-LUKASEVICA

Latvia / Lettonie

SOC

Mr / M. Frank SCHWABE

Germany / Allemagne

EPP/CD

Mr / M. Pablo HISPAN

Spain / Espagne

EC/CD

Mr / M. Ian LIDDEL-GRAINGER

United Kingdom/ Royaume-Uni

ALDE

Mr / M. Iulian BULAI

Romania / Roumanie

UEL

Mr / M. Andrej HUNKO

Germany / Allemagne

General Rapporteur on Democracy / Rapporteur Général sur la Démocratie

Mr / M. George PAPANDREOU

Greece / Grèce

PACE members of the Council of Democratic Elections /

Membres APCE du Conseil des Elections Démocratiques

Mr / M. Michael Georg LINK

Germany / Allemagne

Ms / Mme Laura CASTEL

Spain / Espagne

Mr / M. Corneliu-Mugurel COZMANCIUK

Romania / Roumanie

Ms / Mme Octavie MODERT

Luxembourg

Ms / Mme Blerina GJYLAMETI

Albania / Albanie

Congress of Local and Regional Authorities / Congrès des pouvoirs locaux et régionaux

Mr / M. Stewart DICKSON, United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni

Venice Commission / Commission de Venise

Mr / M. Srdjan DARMANOVIC, Montenegro / Monténégro

* Bureau member appointed by the Political Group / Membre du Bureau désigné.e par le Groupe politique.

Appendix 5 – Parliamentary Alliance for Good Governance and Integrity in Sport

Terms of referenceNote

Duration: February 2025 – January 2027

1. In Resolution 2199 (2018) “Towards a framework for modern sports governance”, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (hereinafter the Assembly) invited its Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media to consider setting up a Parliamentary Alliance for Good Governance and Integrity in Sport(hereinafter the Alliance) as a discussion forum bringing together representatives of national parliaments and international parliamentary bodies.
2. The Alliance’s terms of reference were adopted by the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media at its meeting on 3 and 4 December 2024 and submitted to the Bureau of the Assembly.
3. The Alliance was set up during the Assembly’s January 2025 part-session, under the auspices of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media, for an initial two-year period, from 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2027.
4. The Alliance shall submit a progress report to the Bureau of the Assembly by 10 January 2026, with a view to a decision on renewing the Alliance for a further two-year period.

1. Role and aims of the Alliance

5. The role of the Alliance shall be to:
a Reinforce the Assembly’s capacity to address sports issues and promote a values-based approach to national sports policies and sports governance, at both the national and international levels;
b Support the role of national parliaments in the design and implementation of sports policies, by promoting sports ethics and a vision of sport as a tool for building social cohesion and instilling values, including respect for fundamental rights and freedoms and human dignity;
c Promote the right to sport for all and to safe, healthy and inclusive sport, and incorporate this right in national law, public policies and the standards underpinning the sports movement, ensuring its effective implementation in Europe and beyond;
d Work to improve sport governance at all levels.
6. Under its remit and based on the Council of Europe conventions, texts adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and Assembly resolutions, the Alliance shall have the following specific aims:
a Embedding the highest ethical standards in national and international sport policies and governance;
b The promotion of human rights and their effective protection in and through sport, and in particular the fight against violence and sexual abuse in sport, as well as the promotion of gender equality and inclusion in sport at all levels and through sport in society.

2. Composition of the Alliance

7. The Alliance shall be composed of:
a In respect of the 46 member States of the Council of Europe:
  • one member of parliament for each unicameral parliament, and one member of each chamber for bicameral parliaments, appointed by the national parliament or chamber respectively, regardless of whether or not they are members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe;
  • a member of parliament appointed by their parliamentary delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from among its members.
b In respect of the parliaments with Observer or Partner for Democracy status with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: one member of parliament for each unicameral parliament, and one member of each chamber for bicameral parliaments, appointed by the national parliament or chamber respectively;
c The immediate past President of the Assembly and the General Rapporteur on Governance and Ethics in Sport, as ex officio members of the Alliance;
d One member appointed by each of the Assembly’s political groups;
e One member appointed by the following Committees of the Assembly:
  • Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy,
  • Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights,
  • Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development,
  • Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons,
  • Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media,
  • Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination;
f Two members appointed by the European Parliament;
g Two members appointed by the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
8. Two associate members appointed by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, one in respect of the Chamber of Local Authorities, the other in respect of the Chamber of Regions, may participate in the work of the Alliance.
9. The following institutional partners may participate in the work of the Alliance and appoint one representative each:
  • Governing Board of the Council of Europe’s Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS),
  • EPAS Consultative Committee,
  • Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) of the Council of Europe,
  • International Olympic Committee (IOC),
  • European Olympic Committees (EOC),
  • International Paralympic Committee (IPC),
  • European Paralympic Committee (EPC),
  • sports organisations or federations which have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Council of Europe;Note
  • Play the Game.
10. Other sports organisations or federations, relevant multistakeholder platforms dealing with issues related to the integrity of sport, anti-corruption or human rights issues (e.g. the International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport – IPACS, or the Network of Judges/Prosecutors Responsible for Sports – MARS) and other stakeholder groups (e.g. the media, sports industry, corporate sponsors, academic institutions, etc.) likely to broaden the scope and impact of the Alliance’s work, may be involved on an ad hoc basis, depending on the issues at stake.
11. Partners invited to participate in the Alliance’s activities on an ad hoc basis and wishing to do so must commit to upholding the values of the Council of Europe.

3. Working methods

1. In terms of the application of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, the Alliance shall be assimilated to a Sub-Committee of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media. All members of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media shall be entitled to attend the Alliance’s meetings.
2. The following provisions of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly shall not apply to the Alliance:
a Rule 49.3 concerning the limit on the number of standing sub-committees that may be appointed by the same committee;
b Rule 49.6 concerning the maximum number of members of a sub-committee and the limit on the number of sub-committees to which members of a committee may belong.
3. The Alliance may hold its meetings during part-sessions of the Assembly, meetings of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media outside Strasbourg or on the margins of international conferences or events which it organises or to which it is invited.
4. The working languages of the Alliance shall be English and French. Other languages may be used for specific meetings or events, provided that the additional cost is not borne by the Assembly budget.
5. At its first meeting, the Alliance shall elect its Chairperson and its Vice-Chairperson from among its members who are also members of the Assembly, who shall make up the Bureau, for the initial two-year period. The two members of the Bureau may not belong to the same Parliament. When electing the Bureau, each parliament represented shall have a maximum of two votes; where appropriate, the national delegation concerned shall indicate the members entitled to vote. As an exception to the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure, the Alliance shall renew its Bureau every two years, at its first meeting of the new two-year period. If a member of the Bureau ceases to hold office or must step down before the end of their term, the Alliance shall hold new elections to replace them until the end of the two-year period.
6. The list of Alliance members, associate members and representatives of the Alliance’s institutional partners shall be updated each year during the first part-session of the Assembly. Subsequent updates may occur during the year. Membership of the Alliance shall not be automatically renewed and must be confirmed at the beginning of each year.
7. The Alliance shall adopt its work programme for 2025 at its first meeting. The programme for each subsequent year shall be adopted no later than the fourth part-session of the Assembly preceding the year in question. When voting on the adoption of the work programme or in any formal vote required for its implementation, each parliament represented shall have a maximum of two votes; where appropriate, the national delegation concerned shall indicate the members entitled to vote.
8. The Alliance shall facilitate synergy and consistency between the work of the Assembly and the work of the Council of Europe intergovernmental sector, including EPAS, in the field of sport.
9. The Alliance shall develop appropriate forms of co-operation with the national parliaments of Council of Europe member States. It may co-operate with parliamentarians and parliaments outside Europe, and with parliamentary networks and international parliamentary assemblies developing measures in the field of good governance and integrity in sport or in the promotion of human rights in and through sport.
10. To achieve these goals, the Alliance shall, inter alia, seek to:
a Raise parliamentarians’ awareness of their role in their respective assemblies in connection with the direction, content and funding of sports policies and the adoption of legislation affecting access to sport and the development of recreational, amateur and professional sport;
b Inform parliamentarians about standards and supervisory mechanisms regarding sport and human rights which exist within the Council of Europe and other relevant bodies;
c Enhance interaction between parliamentarians and representatives of the sports movement at international and national level, to work together to promote and better protect the right to safe, healthy and inclusive sport.
11. The Assembly shall support the Alliance by ensuring that it can meet at least three times a year, during part-sessions or meetings outside Strasbourg of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media.
12. The Alliance may hold additional meetings, including meetings on the margins of international conferences or events that it organises or to which it is invited, provided that the costs of such meetings are met by voluntary contributions from member States or that the Secretary General of the Assembly grants authorisation for them to be met from the Assembly budget. Meetings of the Alliance outside Strasbourg, Paris or Brussels are subject to prior authorisation by the Bureau of the Assembly.
13. In its relations with parliaments and partners, the Alliance shall be represented by its Chairperson and/or Vice-Chairperson. Their travel on Alliance business shall in principle be paid for by their respective parliaments. However, the Assembly shall bear the cost of up to two such journeys per financial year, subject to the availability of funds.
14. Costs incurred by the participation of members, associate members, representatives of institutional partners and other participants at Alliance meetings shall be borne by the parliaments, institutions, organisations and partners represented.
15. The Alliance’s projects shall be funded with voluntary contributions from the member States.