Debates on protecting democracy from the disruptions caused by AI, on fighting back against transnational repression and on democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Iran – with the participation of former hostage in Iran Jacques Paris – are among highlights of the summer plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which takes place in Strasbourg on 22-26 June 2026.
The parliamentarians will also discuss reports on silencing critical voices in Azerbaijan, and on the functioning of democratic institutions in Georgia and in Serbia.
The third edition of the Vigdís Prize for Women’s Empowerment will be awarded to one of three shortlisted organisations at a special ceremony on the opening day.
As part of Monaco’s Presidency of the Council of Europe, Minister of State Christophe Mirmand will address the Assembly. Monaco’s Foreign Minister Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, President of the Committee of Ministers, will update members on the work of the Council’s ministerial body and take questions.
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset will hold his usual question time with members.
Other reports to be debated include violent pornography as a test for human rights, media freedom in sport, eliminating gender stereotypes in the media, and the access of migrants and refugees to healthcare. There will be a joint debate on ensuring food sustainability in times of crisis and on the experience of Morocco in responding to food challenges.
In addition, there have been requests for an urgent debate on “Women’s access to justice” and for current affairs debates on “Follow-up to the Chişinău Declaration – Council of Europe action in the field of migration” and on “Jimmy Lai”.
PACE will also hear from the heads of its teams observing recent elections in Hungary and in Bulgaria. On Tuesday, Assembly members are due to elect the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
The final agenda is decided by the Assembly on the opening day of the session.
The agendas of committees meeting during session week can be found here, a list of committee or network hearings here, and a list of unofficial side-events and exhibitions here.
***
Practical information
Media accreditation: please fill in this accreditation form. More details here, or contact the Council of Europe Media Department via [email protected].
PACE website: the agenda, adopted texts, reports to be debated, voting results, speakers lists and the verbatim record of each sitting (in English, French, German and Italian) are available on the special session page. News items on all debates appear on the Assembly’s home page.
Social media: follow the Assembly’s official accounts via Instagram, Bluesky, X, Facebook and LinkedIn (#PACEsummer2026).
Livestream: the session is streamed live (in French, English, German and Italian). Each sitting is also streamed live via the Assembly’s YouTube channel in original languages, scrollable in mid-stream, with instant replay.
Video recordings: sittings can be downloaded in full from the Multimedia page, while clips can be edited and downloaded via this online tool.
Photos: photos from session week can be downloaded from the Council of Europe media library or via the Assembly’s Flickr account.
Contact: PACE Communication Division, tel. +33 3 88 41 31 93, [email protected]
Monday 22 June 2026
Tuesday 23 June 2026
Doc. 16404 (Communication) Election of the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Doc. 16424 (Report) The functioning of democratic institutions in Serbia Doc. 16413 (Report) Democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Iran
Wednesday 24 June 2026
Doc. 16418 (Report) Eliminating gender stereotypes in the media Doc. 16419 (Committee Opinion) Eliminating gender stereotypes in the media Doc. 16417 (Report) Protecting democracy from disruptions caused by artificial intelligence Doc. 16414 (Report) Silencing critical voices in Azerbaijan Doc. 16420 (Report) The functioning of democratic institutions in Georgia Doc. 16423 (Report) Ensuring sustainable food security in times of crisis: strengthening resilience and access to food Doc. 16425 (Information report) Food challenges and responses: the experience of Morocco
Thursday 25 June 2026
Doc. 16412 (Report) Access of migrants and refugees to healthcare Doc. 16415 (Report) Media freedom in sport Doc. 16421 (Report) Fighting back against transnational repression Doc. 16422 (Report) Violent pornography: a test for human rights
