26/06/2026 Session
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 – were among highlights of the summer plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which took place in Strasbourg on 22-26 June 2026.
The parliamentarians also discussed 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 was 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 addressed the Assembly. Monaco’s Foreign Minister Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, President of the Committee of Ministers, updated members on the work of the Council’s ministerial body and took questions.
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset held his usual question time with members.
Other reports that were debated included 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 was 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 were an urgent debate on “Women's access to justice” and two current affairs debates, one on “The functioning of the judicial system and the crackdown on the opposition in Türkiye", and the other one on "Migration to Europe".
PACE also heard from the heads of its teams observing recent elections in Hungary and in Bulgaria. On Tuesday, Assembly members elected the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
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.
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Practical information
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).
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]