The Council of Europe’s Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine (CGU) held its sixth plenary meeting on 7-8 July 2025, followed by a high-level stock-taking conference and special hearing on 9 July. Over three days, political leaders, member states representatives, international organisations, civil society, and independent experts from across Europe gathered to assess progress, share solutions, and strengthen co-operation in protecting the rights and well-being of children of Ukraine.

A key takeaway from the plenary meeting is that the CGU has evolved into a trusted and inclusive platform for expert-level dialogue, where tools, good practices, and coordinated actions are developed to protect and support children of Ukraine.

The special hearing highlighted the specific and urgent needs of children with disabilities affected by the conflict. “Children with disabilities are not passive beneficiaries of protection. They are a vital resource for rebuilding societies,” emphasised Professor Gerard Quinn, affiliated Scholar at Raoul Wallenberg Institute and Former UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

“Inclusion is not optional — it is a life-saving action. Children with disabilities are too often overlooked during war, but their protection, participation, and dignity are not a chance; they are a right,” added Mariana Ianachevici, Member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

The high-level stock-taking conference reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Council of Europe and its partners to keep the children of Ukraine at the heart of Europe’s resilience and reconstruction efforts. The event fostered valuable dialogue and concrete actions to implement the Reykjavik Declaration, and set a clear course for future coordinated efforts to protect the rights of the children of Ukraine during these challenging times.