The 5th Statutory Forum of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will meet remotely on 7 December 2020 (9h30 - 12h00 CET). Members of the Statutory Forum will examine for adoption a report on the development of interaction between urban and rural areas, as well as a report on fighting sexist violence against women in politics at local and regional level. In addition, a fact-finding report on territorial reform in Latvia will be submitted for adoption by tacit procedure.

Also on the agenda is a debate on a new "Contemporary commentary on the explanatory report to the European Charter of Local Self-Government" which takes into account the recommendations and resolutions adopted by the Committee of Ministers, the Congress, the Parliamentary Assembly and the opinions of the Venice Commission.

Furthermore, the second volume of the series Human Rights Handbook for local and regional elected representatives, devoted to social rights, will be presented by Harald Bergmann (Netherlands, ILDG), Congress Spokesman on Human Rights. It completes the collection launched by the Congress in 2019 with a first volume devoted to the fight against discrimination.

On the same day an interactive event “Covid-19: local and regional authorities at the front line” will bring together in the afternoon (14h30-17h00 CET) Council of Europe leaders, national government representatives and other personalities to discuss with Congress members the best ways to ensure effective responses to the health crisis. The results of the discussions will contribute to the transversal report on “Ensuring the respect of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in major crisis situations” to be presented at the March 2021 Congress session.

The Statutory Forum acts on behalf of the Congress between sessions and is convened upon decision by the Bureau of the Congress. It comprises the Presidents of all national delegations and the members of the Bureau. The outgoing president, the chairs of committees and the presidents of political groups participate without voting rights.

• The event is open to the public.
• Agenda
• Access link to the virtual room
• Web file of the meeting
• Interpretation will be provided in English, French, German, Italian, Russian and Turkish.