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Back Ukrainian voices at PACE: From results achieved to the new Action Plan for 2027-2030

At a side-event during the September session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), parliamentarians and representatives of member states heard about the achievements of the Council of Europe co-operation in Ukraine and the objectives of the new Action Plan “Democratic Security for Ukraine” 2027-2030. The event, “Voices from Ukraine”, took place on 29 September 2026.

Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, opened the event by highlighting the strategic importance of the Action Plan and the Organisation's unwavering commitment to Ukraine as it continues its reforms and its path towards EU membership despite Russia's ongoing war of aggression.

Ukrainian voices at the heart of the debate

Five speakers, each representing one of the current Action Plan's priority areas, shared first-hand testimonies of how Council of Europe co-operation has strengthened their work and made a difference to the lives of Ukrainians, even in wartime.

Their testimonies highlighted work in critical areas:

Democratic participation: promoting inclusive youth policies and young people's role in national decision-making;
Accountability and justice: strengthening the capacity of Ukraine’s National Police to investigate international crimes;
Human rights in detention: advancing human-rights-based healthcare in prisons, including the expansion of opioid agonist therapy and HIV prevention;
Media freedom and information integrity: aligning Ukraine's media legislation with European standards;
Social inclusion and veteran support: training of more than 2 500 special support personnel to assist veterans and those navigating the transition to civilian life.

The presentations generated interest and led to exchanges with the audience.

The new Action Plan: Building Democratic Security for Ukraine

Attention was devoted to the role of the new Action Plan in shaping the Council of Europe’s engagement with Ukraine in the years ahead. “Democratic Security for Ukraine” 2027-2030 is designed to enable the Organisation to contribute to the development and implementation of a peace plan for Ukraine, reinforce democratic resilience through good governance, the rule of law and human rights, and support Ukraine's strategic goal of strengthening its security through EU membership by aligning reforms with European standards.

The Action Plan’s other key areas include social inclusion and support for veterans, the protection of minorities and women, and the return of Ukrainian children. The plan also focuses on ensuring accountability through evidence-based investigations of war crimes, strengthening democratic institutions, local governance and information integrity, and advancing independent justice, including the fight against corruption.

Sustained support for Ukraine

By placing Ukrainian beneficiaries before parliamentarians and representatives of member state, the event sought to build confidence in the new Action Plan and underline the importance of continued political and financial support. This support is critical to building a democratic and secured future in Ukraine and across Europe.

Further information on the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Democratic Security for Ukraine” 2027-2030:

Factsheets on the achievements of the current Action Plan for Ukraine 2023-2026 per thematic area: