News
Secretary General: new technologies must stop child sex abuse, not facilitate it
This year’s Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse is an opportunity for governments and international organisations to commit to using new technologies to stop these crimes. Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and extended...
Secretary General at COP29 in Baku
Council of Europe Secretary General, Alain Berset, participated in the World Leaders Climate Action Summit in the context of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on climate change (COP29) which took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 12-13 November 2024. In...
Council of Europe Information Point for Belarusian people to be set up in Vilnius
The Council of Europe and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania have signed an agreement for the establishment of the Council of Europe Information Point for Belarusian people in Vilnius. “This is an important contribution to our support for Belarusian democratic forces and civil society....
Council of Europe Secretary General condemns violent events in Amsterdam
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe resolutely condemns the violent events that took place in Amsterdam. In our democracies, nothing can justify aggression and violence against Israeli citizens, whatever the context. The Council of Europe will relentlessly pursue its fight against all...
Secretary General attends European Political Community meeting in Budapest
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, attended the summit of heads of state or governments at the fifth meeting of European Political Community on 7 November in Budapest. At the meeting, Mr Berset had a number of exchanges including with President Maia Sandu, Prime...
Croatia makes a voluntary contribution to support the European Court of Human Rights
The Government of Croatia has made a voluntary contribution of €100 000 to reduce the European Court of Human Rights backlog of well-founded cases. The agreement was signed on 6 November 2024 by H.E. Mr Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia and...
Montenegro signs Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence
Montenegro has signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law (CETS No. 225). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Ervin Ibrahimović signed the treaty in Strasbourg in the presence of...
Secretary General expresses solidarity with Spain after deadly floods
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has issued the following statement: "I am deeply affected by the death and destruction caused by the flash floods in southern Spain. My thoughts go out to all the victims, their loved ones and to the rescue workers doing all they can to save lives...
Secretary General condemns fatal attack in Türkiye
Secretary General Alain Berset has issued the following statement on the deadly attack near Ankara on Wednesday 23 October: “I am deeply shocked about yesterday’s fatal attack and shooting near Ankara, which has killed several people and left many injured. “The Council of Europe strongly condemns...
Statement from the Secretary General on European Anti-Trafficking Day, 18 October
In 2024, armed conflict and humanitarian crises are intensifying, with ongoing violence in Ukraine and the Middle East. Migrants and asylum seekers, especially those traveling under unsafe conditions, always increase in number during such conflicts. They are particularly exposed to trafficking...