40th Session - First Part, 23-24 March 2021

Leendert Verbeek elected as the President of the Congress
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Council of Europe has elected, during its 40th Session, Leendert Verbeek (Netherlands, SOC/G/PD) as its new President, for a mandate of 2 years and a half. He is the King’s Commissioner for the Province of Flevoland and he was previously the Chair...
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities elects its new leadership
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has renewed its Presidency on the occasion of its 40th Session (23-24 March 2021). The elections were held online, in view of the current COVID-19 health crisis. Congress members elected Leendert Verbeek (Netherlands,...
Congress adopts its priorities for 2021-2026
At its 40th session held online 23 to 24 March 2021 the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities adopted its priorities for the next five years. The Congress will focus on the contribution of local and regional authorities to the UN Sustainable Development Goals by promoting: Resilient...
German Minister for Europe Michael Roth addresses the Congress
On 24 March 2021, Minister of State for Europe Michael Roth participated in the 40th session of the Congress on behalf of the German Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Minister Roth underlined the importance of ensuring Council of Europe values against the...
Leendert Verbeek: "COVID-19 has thrown up new challenges for local and regional authorities... while aggravating existing problems"
Unimaginable just 15 months ago, the pandemic has rapidly led, as in other major crises, to tighter controls and increased pressure from some central governments at local and regional level. Leendert Verbeek detailed the "negative consequences" of the pandemic on local self-government in general....
Statement of the President of the Congress on Turkey's announced withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention
Leendert Verbeek (Netherlands, SOC/G/PD), newly elected President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe joined voices with the other leaders of the 47-nation Council of Europe: Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, German Foreign Minister and President of...


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