News 2022
“To build inclusive societies, we must stop politicising migrants and instead renew our commitment to human rights”
On the eve of the International Migrants Day celebrated on 18 December, the Chair of the Current Affairs Committee of the Council of Europe Congress, Thomas Andersson (Sweden, ILDG), today made the following statement: “As we mark International Migrants Day this year, thoughts inevitably turn to...
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s sentence a direct attack on local democracy, says Congress President
The President of the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Leendert Verbeek, has made the following statement concerning the prison sentence and political ban imposed on the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, by a Turkish court on 14 December: "I am extremely concerned...
Congress promotes dialogue on environmental challenges and human rights at local level in Georgia
“The continuous engagement and consultation of local authorities by the central level is essential in responding to environmental challenges”, stated Rafael Benitez, Director of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, at a workshop on human rights and the environment at the local level,...
Ukraine: multi-level dialogue on open government for co-creation in recovery responses
At the third thematic meeting of the Platform for National - Local Dialogue in Ukraine, held online on 9 December 2022 on the occasion of the International Day against Corruption, Congress Director Rafael Benitez praised the commitment of Ukrainian local authorities as a "bastion for defending...
Human Rights Day: “The protection of human rights begins close to citizens, in their daily lives,” says Council of Europe Congress spokesperson on Human Rights
The spokesperson on Human Rights of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Harald Bergmann (Netherlands, ILDG), made the following statement, on the eve of the Human Rights Day: “This year, we mark Human Rights Day at a time of unprecedented challenges. In the face of...
Anti-corruption measures strengthen local democracy and trust in public institutions
“The active engagement of sub-national authorities is crucial for the success of national anti-corruption policies”, declared Vladimir Prebilič, Congress Spokesperson for Ethics and Prevention of Corruption on the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day celebrated on 9 December. Indeed,...
Bernd Vöhringer: “Cross-border cooperation and solidarity between European cities are crucial in times of crises“
“Cross-border cooperation and solidarity between European cities are crucial in times of crises. Cities and regions in other Council of Europe member States have valuable experiences that we can use to strengthen reception policies for successful long-term integration of migrants and asylum...
Thomas Andersson: “Women and young people must have a seat in decision-making to ensure qualitative and inclusive policies”
“The representation of women and young people in political institutions is key to empowering and amplifying their voices throughout our societies.”, stressed Chair of the Congress’ Current Affairs Committee Thomas Andersson (Sweden, ILDG) during the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean...
“Local and regional authorities are playing a key role in Ukraine’s survival and resilience,” says Congress President at World for Ukraine Summit
“Incorporating fundamental democratic values into local communities results in empowered local authorities and a strong multilevel governance system. The Congress is certain that the resistance that we admire today in Ukraine is grounded on this work”, declared President of the Congress of Local...
“Local and regional journalism is crucial for the functioning of democracy”, says Congress rapporteur Cecilia Dalman Eek
“A democratic society needs a pluralistic media landscape of which local and regional media are an integral part”, declared the Vice-President of the Congress and Rapporteur on local and regional media, Cecilia Dalman Eek (Sweden, SOC/PD) during an exchange with the members of the Steering...
Council of Europe Congress assesses the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in the Slovak Republic
A delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, composed of rapporteurs Matthias Gysin (Switzerland, ILDG) and Levan Zhorzholiani (Georgia, NR), carried out a monitoring visit in Bratislava, Trenčín and Kálnica from 6 to 8 December 2022 to assess the...
Meeting of the Bureau of the Congress in Strasbourg
The members of the Bureau of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities met in Strasbourg, France, on 5 December 2022, and discussed, among other things, the preparation of the 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe to be held on 16-17 May in Reykjavik, Iceland....
“Local authorities are frontline actors in the reception of refugees and must be given a seat at the table when developing migration and asylum policies”, says Bernd Vöhringer
“Cities are instrumental policy actors, practitioners and spaces for refugee and immigrant reception and inclusion in local communities”, said Bernd Vöhringer, President of the Chamber of Local Authorities and Rapporteur on women and children refugees, at the meeting of the Network of Focal...
The President of the Council of Europe Congress meets with the Greek authorities
Whilst in Athens for the 2022 Summit of Mayors against Antisemitism the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Leendert Verbeek, conducted a series of meetings with the Greek authorities. The President met with Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, the Deputy...
2022 Mayors Summit against Antisemitism: “Mayors have a particular role in creating inclusive societies”, says Congress President Verbeek
Creating inclusive societies takes work and commitment from all levels of government and civil society. However, as Europe’s cities become increasingly diverse places, there is a particularly special role for local authorities, stated Congress President, Leendert Verbeek, at the 2022 Mayors...
Europe needs more solidarity to help subnational governments face a 'perfect storm'
War, the pandemic, the climate crisis, and economic and financial crises are undermining local self-government across Europe The Presidents of the European Committee of the Regions and of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe have warned that local and regional...
Congress members engage with local authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina on transparent and accountable public procurement
On 22 and 24 November 2022, local authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina met to discuss the new legislative environment in the area of public procurement , during a two-part online event on “Transparent and accountable public procurement: legislation, trends and good practices“. “Transparent and...
Annika Vaikla: “Local and regional authorities are the first line of defence against human trafficking”
“Cooperation across all levels of government is vital in ensuring a comprehensive approach to trafficking,” stressed Congress rapporteur on women and child refugees Annika Vaikla (Estonia, ILDG), during the 31st Meeting of the Committee of the Parties of the Council of Europe Convention in Action...
“There is no place for violence against women in democratic cities and regions”, says Council of Europe Congress Spokesperson on Gender Equality
On the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, held every year on 25 November, the spokesperson for the Council of Europe Congress on Gender Equality, Ms Eirini Dourou (SOC, Greece), made the following statement: “Inclusive societies start with inclusivity at...
World for Ukraine Summit: developing partnerships between Ukrainian and European cities
The World for Ukraine Summit will be held in Rzeszow, Poland, from 7 to 9 December 2022, under the patronage of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, and with the participation of the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Leendert Verbeek....
