“Against the background of rising rhetoric of intolerance towards migrants, we call on local and regional authorities, jointly with their national governments, to recognise the contributions and opportunities of migration,” stated Heather Brannan-McVey (United Kingdom, L, SOC/G/PD) and Kristoffer Tamsons (Sweden, R, EPP/CCE), respectively Thematic Spokesperson and Deputy Spokesperson on Migration and Integration of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, on the occasion of International Migrants Day (18 December).

“Successful integration of migrants is central to ensuring peace, security and prosperity for local communities, as stated by the Congress at the Ministerial Conference on Migration in Strasbourg on 10 December 2025.

“Migrants’ own cultures, competences and initiatives are valuable assets for the development of inclusive and sustainable local communities. The stories and skills brought in by migrants themselves often become part of local narratives of open-minded and progressive societies”, underlined the Congress Spokespersons, in reference to the International Day’s 2025 theme ‘My Great Story: Cultures and Development’.

“However, integration is a process built over time and rooted in local experiences and mutual understanding, sometimes facing obstacles and setbacks. The Council of Europe has developed a range of tools that help address this, including the European Convention on Human Rights itself. The Congress stands ready, within its competences, to play its part in strengthening this system, including by remaining attentive to the local and regional implementation of human rights, and any violations in this area,” concluded the Spokespersons.