News
Launching Gender Equality Strategy 2024-2029; ten years since Istanbul Convention entered into force
A conference entitled “United around gender equality: making space for women and girls” will launch the Council of Europe’s Gender Equality Strategy 2024-2029 and mark ten years since the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (also...
Secretary General marks 10 years of the Istanbul Convention launching the Gender Equality Strategy 2024-2029
“Throughout my mandate, I have returned over and over to the importance of the Istanbul Convention. Marking its 10 years in force here today, I am very happy to speak about it once again. The Istanbul Convention is a landmark treaty in the battle to end violence against women and domestic...
Situation in Georgia: Statement by the Secretary General
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić today made the following statement: “I strongly deplore today’s decision by the Parliament of Georgia to overrule the President’s veto and proceed with the final endorsement of the law “on transparency of foreign influence” in its...
Secretary General meets Prime Minister of Lithuania
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the Prime Minister of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonytė. The meeting focused on the priorities of the upcoming Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. The relevance of the follow up of the Reykjavik agenda was highlighted, with a particular...
Lithuania makes a voluntary contribution for Action Plans and projects
In the framework of its Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, the Government of Lithuania has made a voluntary contribution of €150 000 towards several Council of Europe Action Plans and projects, in line with the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency. This contribution will support the...
Council of Europe adopts first international treaty on artificial intelligence
The Council of Europe has adopted the first-ever international legally binding treaty aimed at ensuring the respect of human rights, the rule of law and democracy legal standards in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The treaty, which is also open to non-European countries, sets out...
Secretary General at the opening of the Committee of Ministers’ Session
“Twelve months ago, European leaders met in Reykjavík for our 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government. It was one of the largest ever gatherings of our continent’s presidents and prime ministers and its significance and impact remain clear. Following the Russian Federation’s full-scale...
Secretary General marks Council of Europe’s 75th anniversary
“Seventy-five years after the creation of the Council of Europe, when I think of the first signatories of the Treaty of London, I often ask myself: what would they think of us today? Vast as was their vision, their optimism, and their determination. As strong as their desire to work towards a...
Estonia funds human rights and equality for LGBTI persons and prevention of violence against women
The Government of Estonia has made a voluntary contribution of €20,000 to support human rights and equality for LGBTI persons and the prevention of violence against women. The agreement was signed on 16 May 2024 by Mr Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, and Ms Marija...