News 2023
Congress President condemns the destruction of the dam in Ukraine’s Kherson region
Congress President, Leendert Verbeek has made the following statement today: “I deplore and condemn the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in the Kherson region of Ukraine. This brutal act is another consequence of Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, causing...
World Environment Day: "Local and regional authorities are accountable to their citizens for combating climate change"
"Human activities and a lack of individual and collective awareness are undoubtedly the cause of climate change. The only possible response is political action at all levels of governance to tackle this triple global crisis of pollution, climate change and loss of biodiversity", declared Cemal...
Congress Governance Committee approved the European Urban Charter III and the information report on the role of second parliamentary chambers in the representation of territorial interests
The Congress Governance Committee, welcomed by Jan Markink (Netherlands, ILDG) and chaired by Jelena Drenjanin (Sweden, EPP/CCE), took place on 1 June 2023 in Arnhem (Gelderland province, Netherlands). The members of the Governance Committee approved the draft information report on “The role of...
Congress Governance Committee approved the European Urban Charter III and the information report on the role of second parliamentary chambers in the representation of territorial interests
The Congress Governance Committee, welcomed by Jan Markink (Netherlands, ILDG) and chaired by Jelena Drenjanin (Sweden, EPP/CCE), took place on 1 June 2023 in Arnhem (Gelderland province, Netherlands). The members of the Governance Committee approved the draft information report on “The role of...
Congress supports the first-ever joint meeting of the Associations of municipalities and cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina
“This significant event marks an important step forward in deepening cross-entity co-operation between local authorities across Bosnia and Herzegovina and their associations”, praised the President of the Chamber of Local Authorities, Bernd Vöhringer (Germany, EPP/CCE) at the first meeting of...
Promoting women and youth engagement at local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina
“Gender equality is not only a matter of women, but a matter of the entire society, and we need courageous local elected representatives to ensure a fair, anti-discriminatory and encouraging environment for all those who wish to be involved in local affairs”, highlighted the Chair of the...
Georgia: Call for tenders – Provision of local consultancy services
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is carrying out co-operation activities in Georgia as part of the Council of Europe Action Plans for Georgia. In that context, it is looking for experts for provision of local consultancy services in the fields of democracy, human rights, gender...
Local and regional authorities at the core of Ukraine’s recovery
“The local government reform in Ukraine needs mechanisms which facilitate the decentralisation of resources, shared responsibilities, proper and clearly delineated competences and commensurate resources to support reconstruction in line with local and regional needs”, highlighted Congress...
Local authorities in Moldova contribute to the National Action Plan on Open Governance
Representatives of local authorities, the State Chancellery of the Republic of Moldova, the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM), and the Open Government Partnership (OGP) discussed the priorities for local government within the 5th National Action Plan of Moldova to the OGP during a...
Council of Europe Congress and Public Defender of Georgia strengthen human rights at local level
Council of Europe Congress Secretary General, Mathieu Mori, and the Public Defender of Georgia, Levan Ioseliani, emphasised the significance of local authorities in implementing human rights at the grassroots level, building upon the outcomes of the 4th Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik. The...
Georgia : The Congress promotes local protection of the rights of the child
The Congress gathered representatives from 18 local municipalities to promote the localisation of children’s rights on 17 May 2023 in Georgia . This workshop aimed at strengthening local authorities towards the effective implementation of the new Code on the Rights of the Child in Georgia. Its...
European Charter on the participation of young people in local life: twenty years later more relevant than ever
"Initially intended to support young people, youth organisations and local authorities in promoting the participation of young people in local and regional life across Europe, the European Charter on Youth Participation is more relevant than ever," says the Congress' Deputy Spokesperson on Youth,...
Reykjavik Summit: European leaders show strong commitment to local and regional democracy
The Summit of the Council of Europe in Reykjavik gathered 46 Heads of State and Government on 16 and 17 May at a historic turning point for European democratic development. Responding to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, democratic backsliding and growing authoritarian trends, the Heads...
Council of Europe Congress assesses the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Norway
A delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, composed of rapporteurs Thibaut Guignard (France, EPP/CCE) and Carla Dejonghe (Belgium, ILDG), will carry out a monitoring visit to Oslo, as well as to the county of Nordland and municipalities of Bodø, and Beiarn from 22 to 25 May...
Local elections in Albania largely well-administered, but lack of focus on local issues
At the invitation of the Albanian authorities, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe deployed a mission to observe the local elections on 14 May 2023 in 61 municipalities. The Congress mission was headed by Stewart Dickson (United-Kingdom, ILDG) and involved 20...
A day before the International Day against Homophobia, the Congress recalls the role of local and regional authorities in combating discrimination against LGBTI people
Speaking at the IDAHOT+ Forum which took place on 11 May 2023 in Reykjavik, Iceland, the Chairman of the Congress Current Affairs Committee, Thomas Andersson (Sweden, ILDG), expressed concern about the situation of LGBTI people whose rights are being challenged or even declining in some...
Declaration on imprisoned Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza
Joint Declaration from the Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs and Council of Europe’s President of the Committee of Ministers, Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the...
Ukrainian local authorities promote innovative open government approaches
“Local open government and public ethics are a cornerstone for Ukraine’s recovery”, highlighted Congress Secretary General Mathieu Mori, during the event organised jointly by the Congress and the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) to in a hybrid mode, in Kyiv on 11 May 2023. As one of 1,300...
Local and regional authorities to play essential role in implementing decisions by the Council of Europe Summit
Local and regional authorities and communities are at the frontline in reacting to crises in Europe and will be essential to implementing decisions taken at the highest political level at the 4th Summit of Heads of States and Government of the Council of Europe that will take place in Reykjavik...
Congress: advancing the local open government agenda in the Republic of Moldova
On 10 and 11 May 2023, around 100 representatives of local authorities as well as territorial offices of the State Chancellery, engaged in peer discussions and improved their awareness of the principles of open, transparent, accountable and inclusive governance during two online events organised...
Congress President Verbeek: “Meaningful elections in times of major crisis require electoral principles to be upheld“
In his welcoming speech at the Conference on “Elections in times of crisis: challenges and opportunities”, Congress President, Leendert Verbeek, stressed on the immense pressure that local and regional authorities face during times of emergencies, as they are at the forefront of coping with...
Annual Conference on Democracy and Human rights : cities and regions help deliver democracy and human rights at grassroot level
Congress Vice-President Bernd Vöhringer participated in the European conference on democracy and human rights organised by the Municipality of Kristiansand (Norway), in collaboration with KS, the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities, in the presence among others of the deputy...
Council of Europe Congress observes local elections in Albania
A 16-member delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will carry out an election observation mission from 12 to 15 May to observe the elections for mayors and local councillors in the 61 municipalities of Albania. Prior to the Election Day, the...
Congress contribution to the Council of Europe Summit: High-level conference on the role of local and regional authorities in upholding democracy, human rights, and the rule of law
On the margins of the 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe Member States in Reykjavík (Iceland), the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is co-organising a high-level political conference, together with the Icelandic Association of...
For an effective governance at all levels of intercultural integration
Speaking at the 3rd Meeting of the Committee of Experts on the Intercultural Integration of Migrants (ADI-INT) which took place on 4 and 5 May 2023 in Strasbourg, the Chair of the Current Affairs Committee of the Congress, Thomas Andersson (Sweden, L, GILD), stressed the central role of cities...
Local and regional authorities must integrate an environmental dimension into all their policies
Speaking at the conference on green public administration in the context of good democratic governance on April 26 in Strasbourg, Congress spokesperson Cemal Bas (Türkiye, EPP/CCE) underlined the key role of local and regional authorities in tackling climate change and environmental concerns. ...
Congress actively contributes to the Council of Europe visibility week in Georgia
“Preventing discrimination is one of the fundamental principles of our work and these Visibility Days are dedicated to transmitting our values better” stated Rafael Benitez, Director of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, at the workshop “Anti-discriminatory...
Xavier Cadoret: “Civil society organisations are natural partners of municipalities in implementing the 2030 Agenda”
“Civil society organisations, including youth organisations, as well as the private sector, are natural partners of cities and municipalities in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda”, stressed Congress Vice-President and co-rapporteur on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Xavier Cadoret...
The Congress strengthens co-operation with the Association of Ukrainian Cities and the City of Kyiv
On 19 April 2023 during the Congress High-level Visit to Ukraine, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) to strengthen efforts for joint advocacy and support to local authorities in Ukraine. “After more than a year of war, we can confirm that local...
Council of Europe Congress : High-level mission to Ukraine
The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Leendert Verbeek, and the Secretary General, Mathieu Mori were in Ukraine from 18 to 20 April 2023. “Co-ordination efforts among all stakeholders for concrete support to Ukraine, both at European level and...
Congress member Dusica Davidovic: “Local and regional authorities can truly make a difference in the lives of young migrants”
Participating in a panel on “European, national and local policies and context” in the framework of the international launching event “Turning 18 with confidence – supporting migrant and refugee children in transition to adulthood” on 18 April 2023 in the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg,...
Council of Europe Congress has followed the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Estonia
A delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, composed of rapporteurs Harald Bergmann (Netherlands, ILDG) and Sören Schumacher (Germany, SOC/G/PD), has carried out a monitoring visit to Tallinn, as well as to the municipalities of Tartu, Jõgeva and Mustvee from 18 to 20 April...
Harald Sonderegger at Cyprus Forum Cities: “Building more sustainable cities and regions means including local and regional authorities in policy formulation and finding new ways to engage citizens”
Speaking in the panel discussion at the opening of the Cyprus Forum Cities in Limassol on 7 April 2023, Congress Vice-President Harald Sonderegger (Austria, EPP/CCE) stressed the importance of building more resilient and sustainable communities, able to overcome the crucial challenges that are...
Communication from the Secretary General of the Congress to the Ministers' Deputies: "We wish to anchor the Congress ever more firmly in the priorities of the Council of Europe and explore new synergies between its entities"
In his communication on April 5, 2023, the Secretary General Mathieu Mori underlined the will of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe to contribute to fighting more effectively against the decline of democracy observed in many European states. In this respect,...
Council of Europe Congress assesses the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Ireland
A delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, composed of rapporteurs Vladimir Prebilič (Slovenia, SOC/G/PD) and Gunn Marit Helgesen, (Norway, EPP/CCE), carried out a monitoring visit to Dublin and County Meath on 4-5 April 2023 to assess the implementation of the European...
Localising the sustainable development goals – a priority for the Congress
On 22 March, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities debated and voted on a recommendation calling on national governments to step up the localisation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As we approach the mid-term review of Agenda 2030 at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF)...
Andrew Boff: “Local authorities need to be prepared to face multiple, simultaneous crises”
With the pandemic, climate change, economic turmoil and the war in Ukraine, Europe has rarely faced so many simultaneous crises as in recent years, and local authorities are often on the front line. “As we cannot prevent crises, are we well enough prepared to deal with them?” asked Andrew Boff...
2023 World Forum for Democracy: call for initiatives
The 11th World Forum for Democracy, “Democracy = Peace?” will take place from 6-8 November 2023 in Strasbourg. Participants will debate how democracy and democratic institutions and practices can help us counter the causes of war in our societies to deliver peace at a time when violence rages,...
Congress recommendations for localising SDGs presented at the UNECE Regional Forum
“SDG implementation is a shared responsibility, whereby local and regional authorities must be empowered with the necessary freedom to make decisions and take action, with their own competences, budgetary autonomy and the freedom to decide on how to use local resources.”, stressed Congress...
For or against the direct election of mayors
On 22 March 2023, during the 44th session of the Congress, the Chamber of Local Authorities held again a debate on the question of the direct election of mayors. In 2004, the Congress expressed its support for direct election, however, the system is not unanimously accepted by all the member...
Regions as driving change in environmental protection
More and more regions in Europe are putting in place “regional strategies for the environment,” as became clear during a debate on the theme held on Wednesday 22 March by the Chamber of Regions of the Congress. While some measures are part of national or European plans, others are based on...
The future of democracy in young people’s hands
A thematic debate was held on 22 March 2023 in the Chamber of Local Authorities on strengthening Europe’s democratic institutions through youth engagement at local level. From lowering the voting age to getting young people properly involved in the decision-making process at local level, several...
Often called Senate, do the second chambers of national parliaments sufficiently represent regional interests?
During a debate held on this theme by the Chamber of Regions of Congress on 22 March, several speakers reviewed the benefits and the drawbacks of such assemblies, drawing on specific examples. For Rafael Bustos Gisbert, a Spanish member of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, the...
Local and regional democracy in Romania: Congress rapporteurs welcome plans for the ratification of the Additional Protocol to the Charter
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities rapporteurs March Cools and David Eray have welcomed the announcement by Attila-Zoltán Cseke, Minister for Development, Public Works and Administration of Romania, that the country will ratify the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local...
44th Session, Day 1: Ukraine, 4th Summit in Reykjavik, observation of elections in Berlin
In his communication at the opening of the 44th session on 21 March in Strasbourg, the President Verbeek deplored the outrageous war of aggression that is still hitting Ukraine after more than one year. The Congress members unanimously adopted a Declaration on the Russian Federation’s war against...
Cantonal elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Congress welcomes generally peaceful and well organised elections but highlights some areas for improvement
At its 44th Plenary Session, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe today adopted a report following a mission carried out by a 15-member delegation to observe the Cantonal elections held on 2 October 2022 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On the Election Day, nine teams...
Congress recommendation on Reykjavik Summit: Local and regional authorities contribute to embedding democracy and human rights at grassroots level
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities adopted on 22 March 2023 its recommendation on “the future of the Council of Europe and the role of the Congress therein” as contribution to the Council of Europe Summit to be held in Reykjavik on 16 and 17 May. The recommendation calls on Heads of...
Local elections in Slovenia: Calm, inclusive and well-organised, but too many mayors re-elected without competition
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe today adopted a recommendation following the visit of a 19-member delegation to the Republic of Slovenia to observe the local elections held on Sunday 20 November 2022. On election day, eight Congress teams were deployed to...
Repeat elections in Berlin: Congress praises professionally run polls but recommends standardisation of election day procedures
At its 44th plenary session, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe today adopted a recommendation following the visit by a 14‑member delegation to Berlin to observe the repeat elections held there on 12 February 2023. On Election day, six Congress teams visited...
War in Ukraine: Congress adopts a strong declaration
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe unanimously adopted on 21 March 2023 a Declaration to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine, presented by the Congress President and Rapporteur on The Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine, Leendert...
