Speakers and presidents of parliament from the 46 member states of the Council of Europe and many partner, observer and neighbouring countries, as well as the heads of several interparliamentary assemblies, will gather in Strasbourg on 20 and 21 March 2025 for a major European parliamentary summit.
More than 60 Speakers or Deputy Speakers and around 400 delegates are expected to participate in the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament, which is held every two years under the auspices of the Strasbourg-based Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first conference.
There will be opening addresses by PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset. The themes of the conference, each introduced with keynote addresses by three of the participating Speakers, will be:
- Safeguarding democracy
- Guaranteeing freedom of expression in times of polarisation and uncertainty
- Violence against politicians
A number of side-events include a working breakfast of women presidents of parliament, hosted by PACE Secretary General Despina Chatzivassiliou and dedicated to the theme of “Women, peace and security”, as well a pre-conference event on young people protecting the planet. The secretaries general of participating parliaments will also meet separately to discuss the opportunities and challenges of AI for parliaments and the work of the ECPRD.
The first European Conference of Presidents of Parliament was held in 1975. It takes place every two years, hosted alternately in Strasbourg and in the capital of a Council of Europe member state.
Conference web page (including registration)
Draft programme
Practical information
Rules of the conference
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Practical arrangements for media
The conference takes place in the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg, beginning at 11 a.m. CET on Thursday 20 March. The proceedings will be live-streamed in English, French, German, Italian and original languages via a link on the conference web page, where video recordings of each of the three sessions will also be available in due course.
Media wishing to attend in person should request accreditation via the Council of Europe accreditation page. However, official parliament camera operators, photographers or press persons accompanying Speakers are invited to register via their parliamentary delegation. A press centre is available immediately opposite the Debating Chamber. Filming and photography in the Chamber are possible, subject to restrictions.
Video of “MediaBox” interviews with those Speakers giving key-note addresses will be available on the Assembly’s YouTube channel. Photographs will be available via a link on the conference page.
Social media hashtag: #SpeakersSpeak2025.
