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Clean and affordable energy 'crucial' for sustained prosperity and human rights, says PACE

Clean and affordable energy 'crucial' for sustained prosperity and human rights, says PACE

26/06/2025 | Session

Ensuring clean, safe and affordable energy is not only central to addressing climate change and pollution but is also a matter of human rights of present and future generations, PACE has said. Transition to more sustainable energy systems is “essential to securing Europe’s continued prosperity...

PACE urges Olympic Movement to prioritise human rights over political neutrality

PACE urges Olympic Movement to prioritise human rights over political neutrality

26/06/2025 | Session

PACE has called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to reinforce its commitment to human rights and democratic values. Recognising the Olympic Movement’s unique role in promoting peace, democracy and internationally recognised rights, the Assembly underlined that the principles of...

Croatian Foreign Minister addresses Parliamentary Assembly, praises shared values amid global crises

Croatian Foreign Minister addresses the Assembly, praises shared values amid global crises

26/06/2025 | Session

In a wide-ranging address to the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), Croatia’s Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman called on all Council of Europe member states to face the many challenges facing Europe today, while praising the organisation’s role upholding...

PACE calls for women's rights to be secured and mainstreamed in national legislation

PACE calls for women's rights to be secured and mainstreamed in national legislation

26/06/2025 | Session

While noting progress in gender equality, with “growing female participation in economic, public, cultural and political life” and legal standards that have changed to reflect this progress, PACE expressed concern in an urgent debate that women's rights were increasingly being challenged and...

Current affairs debate on the immediate release of persons facing politically motivated persecution in Georgia

Current affairs debate on 'the immediate release of persons facing politically motivated persecution in...

26/06/2025 | Session

The Assembly held a current affairs debate on “A call for the immediate release of persons facing politically motivated persecution in Georgia” during its summer plenary session in Strasbourg. “We have a responsibility to our friends in Georgia and all those who aspire to the rights that we...

PACE urges parliaments to be more gender-sensitive, inclusive and accessible – and aim for parity

PACE urges parliaments to be more gender-sensitive, inclusive and accessible – and to aim for parity

26/06/2025 | Session

Parliaments across Europe and beyond should declare the goal of achieving “gender parity” in their representation, backed by strategic plans, as one of a series of measures to ensure the balanced participation of women and men in all areas of parliamentary life, according to PACE. Approving a...

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address PACE in Strasbourg today

25/06/2025 | Session

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) this evening, Wednesday 25 June 2025, at around 20h40 CEST (to be confirmed), as the highlight of its summer plenary session in Strasbourg. He will also take questions from members...

PACE urges a “paradigm shift” in sports governance to prioritise human rights

PACE urges a 'paradigm shift' in sports governance to prioritise human rights

25/06/2025 | Session

The dignity, rights and well-being of athletes must be placed “at the core” of global sports governance, PACE said, calling for a “paradigm shift” that aligns sport with democratic values, transparency and the public interest. “Only a co-ordinated, inclusive and multistakeholder approach can...

Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela: ‘the Council of Europe is a guiding compass’

Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela: ‘the Council of Europe is a guiding compass’

25/06/2025 | Session

Addressing the Parliamentary Assembly, the Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela marked Malta’s 60th anniversary as a member state, describing the Council of Europe as a “guiding compass” in navigating today’s global challenges. The Prime Minister reflected on Malta’s long-standing relationship...

PACE urges safeguards and clarity in draft protocol redefining terrorism

PACE urges safeguards and clarity in draft protocol redefining terrorism

25/06/2025 | Session

Welcoming the draft protocol amending the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism, the Assembly said it introduces “a welcome and desirable step” by defining “terrorist offence” in legally binding terms, while stressing the need for safeguards to prevent misuse. “The legal...

PACE calls on states to reconsider the use of intermediate weapons in the context of maintaining order during demonstrations

PACE calls on states to reconsider the use of intermediate weapons in the context of maintaining order...

25/06/2025 | Session

Against a backdrop of increased social mobilisation and social unrest in a number of member states, PACE today recommended “placing dialogue and mediation at the heart of crowd control and developing strategies that do not pit law enforcement authorities against demonstrators” in order to prevent...

 Secretary General Alain Berset takes questions from members of the Assembly

Secretary General responds to questions at the Parliamentary Assembly summer session

24/06/2025 | Session

During a lively Q & A session with parliamentarians, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset underlined the organisation’s unique role in holding Russia to account, through the Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. The Secretary General said that once the...