On 9 July in Strasbourg, Paolo Molinari, Chair of the Pompidou Group Permanent Correspondents, presented the mid-term review of the activities of the Pompidou Group (between January 2023 and June 2024) to the Committee of Ministers' Rapporteur Group on social and health issues (GR-SOC). He highlighted in particular the action taken by the Group as a follow-up to the 4^th Council of Europe Summit (Reykjavik, 16-17 May 2023) in the fields of online addictions and human rights and drug policies, and its support to Ukraine. He also committed the Group to follow-up the decision taken by the Committee of Ministers to elaborate guidelines on the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking, based on the caselaw of the European Court of Human Rights.

Last but not least, Mr Molinari underlined the high priority given by the Italian Presidency to prevention, especially targeting the youth. In this connection, he mentioned the two seminars hosted by Italy on prevention (Venice, 21 June 2023) and recovery (Naples, 31 May), and the statement issued by the Italian Presidency on 26 June 2024, on the occasion of the international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

In light of this presentation and the ensuing exchange of views, the Committee of Ministers on 10 July :

1. took note with satisfaction of the mid-term review presented by the Italian Presidency on the Pompidou Group’s activities and achievements between January 2023 and June 2024.

2. took note in particular of the policy paper on “Strategies and regulatory options aimed at reducing risks and harms related to online gaming and online gambling” adopted by the Pompidou Group Permanent Correspondents at their 94th meeting (Naples, 30 May 2024);

3. invited the Pompidou Group to prepare a draft Recommendation on this matter, in consultation with the Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI) and other relevant bodies, as appropriate, for adoption by the Committee of Ministers in 2025.”