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Safe digital environments: Pompidou Group’s advancing action on the mental health and wellbeing of children and youth online
Policymakers, researchers and practitioners from the Pompidou Group member States and internationally gathered in Vienna and online on 2–3 June 2026 for a thematic seminar dedicated to the topic of online and digital addictions. The event was organised on the margins of the 98th meeting of the...
Pompidou Group adopts new Guidelines to strengthen member States' response to drug-related organised crime (OC-DT)
The Permanent Correspondents of the Pompidou Group have adopted new Guidelines designed to strengthen member States’ response to Organised Crime linked to Drug Trafficking, while ensuring full respect for human rights. The guidelines were developed following a mandate from the Council of Europe’s...
Europe strengthens co-operation on drug policy and addictions at Pompidou Group meeting in Vienna
How can Europe respond more effectively to organised crime linked to drug trafficking, protect human rights, and tackle emerging forms of addiction in an increasingly digital world? These questions were at the centre of the 98th meeting of the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe, held in...
The Drafting Committee on Human Rights and Drug Policies (DH-PDA) holds its third meeting in Strasbourg
The Drafting Committee on Human Rights and Drug Policies (DH-PDA) convened for its third meeting on 19-20 May 2026 in Strasbourg, France. Over the course of two productive days, Committee members advanced the revision of the draft Recommendation on Human Rights and Drug Policies, carefully...
Preparations for the 3rd Law Enforcement Conference of Drug Control Networks start in Strasbourg
A focussed working group convened on 1 April 2026 to prepare the 3rd Law Enforcement Conference of Pompidou Group: Drug Control Networks. The focussed working group brought together the Pompidou Group’s the Austrian Presidency, Mexican Vice-Presidency, and Pompidou Group law enforcement experts,...
Focussed Working Group begins preparations for the Seventh Expert Network Session on General Aviation
A focussed working group met online on 31 March 2026 to initiate preparations for the Seventh Expert Network Session on General Aviation, scheduled for 10–11 June 2026 in Strasbourg, France. The meeting brought together representatives from the Council of Europe International Co-operation Group...
Strengthening expertise in Drug Control: Focussed Working Group convenes to prepare the 38th Airports and Mail Centres Network Session in Athens
A Focussed Working Group convened online on 13 March 2026 to advance arrangements for the upcoming 38th Network Session of the Co-operation Group of Drug Control Services at Airports and Mail Centres, set for 14 and 15 October 2026 in Athens, Greece. Bringing together experts of the Council of...
Republic of Moldova advances work on the National Drug and Addiction Strategy
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, the Council of Europe, through the Pompidou Group Technical Assistance and Support (TA-S) project, supported the organisation of the second workshop dedicated to the development of the...
The Council of Europe International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions at the 69th UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs: advancing human rights-based drug policies
From 9 to 13 March 2026, the international drug policy community gathered in Vienna for the 69th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). As the capital city for the Presidency of the Council of Europe’s International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions (2026–2027), Vienna...
New Drafting Committee established to develop a Council of Europe Recommendation on Risks and Harms of Online and Digital Addictions
At its 1554th meeting, held on 12 March 2026, the Committee of Ministers approved the establishment of a Drafting Committee on Risks and Harms of Online and Digital Addictions (BIO-ALN). This decision (CM/Del/Dec(2026)1554/6.2) follows the examination of the Committee’s Terms of Reference by the...
Balancing human rights considerations in public health and safety: side event at 69th CND Session
The Council of Europe International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions contributes to the 69th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)
The Council of Europe International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions organised a side event titled “Balancing human rights considerations in public health and safety”, which took place on 10 March 2026 at the Vienna International Centre and online, as part of the 69th Session of the UN...
Council of Europe calls for stronger co-operation and balanced drug policies at the 69th CND Session
Today, 10 March 2026, in Vienna, Ambassador Gerhard DOUJAK, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Vienna, delivered a statement on behalf of the Council of Europe International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions (Pompidou Group) during the 69th session of the United Nations Commission...
Pompidou Group held second Steering Committee meeting for the Project “Strengthening the role of key actors in drug prevention” in Tbilisi
On 3 February 2026, the Pompidou Group convened the second meeting of the Steering Committee for the Project “Strengthening the role of key actors in drug prevention” in Tbilisi, Georgia. The event brought together representatives of nine state institutions, including the Ministry of Justice,...
TSI Project Advisory Group takes action: confirming measures to address online gambling and gaming risks for youth
The 5th TSI Advisory Group meeting of the project “Promoting the mental health of children and youth by addressing the risks of online gambling and gaming" took place on 2 February 2026, bringing together representatives of the eight participating EU member States – Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia,...
First 2026 meeting of the Bureau of Permanent Correspondents of the Pompidou Group
The Bureau of Permanent Correspondents of the Pompidou Group held its first meeting for 2026 in Paris (3 February 2026). The newly composed ten-member Bureau began the 2026–2029 work cycle, as Chaired by Dr. Franz Pietsch (Austrian Presidency). The meeting welcomed its members and set the tone...
Ukraine signs grant to launch first prison-based addiction Therapeutic Community Programme
Ukraine is set to launch its first prison-based Therapeutic Community related to addictions at Stryzhavka Correctional Colony (No. 81), following the signing of a grant agreement between the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine and the General Directorate of the State Criminal-Executive Service of...
Rapporteur Group on Social and Health Questions takes note of recent Pompidou Group developments
At its first meeting of the year on 22 January 2026, the Rapporteur Group on Social and Health Questions (GR-SOC) received a briefing from the Pompidou Group Secretariat on recent progress and key developments in the Pompidou Group’s work. GR-SOC Members noted the main outcomes of the 97th...
Pompidou Group participates in UNODC Expert Group meeting on synthetic drugs
The Council of Europe International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions (Pompidou Group) participated at the 3rd meeting of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Expert Group on “Enhancing and Strengthening International and Regional Cooperation and Domestic Efforts to Address the Global...
Council of Europe supports the Republic of Moldova in aligning national drugs and addictions policy with European standards
A Working Group tasked with developing the Republic of Moldova’s National Strategy on Drugs and Addictions 2026–2032 held its first meeting on 19 December 2025, organised by the Ministry of Health in co-operation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova and with technical...
Second meeting of the Drafting Committee on Human Rights and Drug Policies (DH-PDA)
The Drafting Committee on Human Rights and Drug Policies (DH-PDA) held its second meeting in Paris on 17–18 December 2025. During the two-day meeting, members discussed the scope of the future draft Recommendation and reviewed the zero draft, drawing on the policy paper “Bringing Human Rights to...
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