The Council of Europe has followed the situation of refugees and migrants over many years and has been particularly concerned with the protection of the most vulnerable, such as children on the move, including unaccompanied children.

In response to its long-term commitment to protect refugee and migrant children and other vulnerable persons, the Council of Europe adopted an Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe (2021-2025) in May 2021.

The Action plan aims at addressing the main challenges and opportunities identified after the previous action plan, focusing on children, was completed in 2019. The Special Representative is currently coordinating the effective implementation of the Action plan through enhancing co-operation with relevant international organisations and agencies and creating synergies with the Network of Focal Points on Migration to see how best the Council of Europe can provide support to its member states facing current challenges.