News
The urgency of a Council of Europe legal instrument on the right to a healthy environment
Intervention at the first european environmental human rights defenders forum. Dear friends, I am delighted to be here. I consider it an honour to be at the first ever European Forum on...
Committee denounces ‘the use of starvation as a method of warfare’
The Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development, meeting in Athens on 3 June, expressed concern that overlapping crises are severely undermining food security, food systems and nutrition worldwide. It strongly condemned “the use of famine as a method of warfare”, the unlawful...
World Environment Day 2026 - Council of Europe Congress Spokesperson: Local and national authorities must work together on innovative solutions - now
“Following record-breaking May temperatures, it is very clear that we need a step-change in climate action, with local, regional and national governments working together on innovative new solutions to the climate crisis,” stated Meropi Ydraiou (Greece, EPP/CCE), Spokesperson on the Environment...
As momentum grows, Parliamentary Assembly President urges states to move towards a right to a healthy environment
“Momentum is growing internationally and across Europe towards recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment,” said PACE President Petra Bayr in a statement to mark World Environment Day (5 June 2026), urging Council of Europe states to move towards formal recognition...
Petra Bayr welcomes UN General Assembly resolution reinforcing states’ climate obligations and the right to a healthy environment
The adoption yesterday by the UN General Assembly of a resolution on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on climate change sends a strong and timely message: climate action and human rights are inseparable. The resolution reaffirms that states have obligations under...
27th International Workshop on the Implementation of the Convention
This workshop took place at a particularly important moment, as landscapes across Europe are facing unprecedented pressures arising from climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing...
Climate, health and equality: women on the front line
The Women@PACE group and the Parliamentary Network for a Healthy Environment held a joint meeting focusing on the links between environmental challenges, public health and gender equality. Opening the event, Aurora Floridia, Chairperson of the Environment Network and member of the Women@PACE...
Council of Europe Side Event on “Human Rights, Health and the Environment: Where human rights shape sustainable health and environmental action”
On 10 April 2026, the Council of Europe hosted an online side event on “Human Rights, Health and the Environment” as part of the One Health Summit. The event brought together representatives and experts from the Council of Europe, its intergovernmental bodies, the United Nations Environment...
Rivne’s residents shape their city’s future: new citizens’ assembly launched in Ukraine
Despite the challenges of wartime, the Rivne community is proving that democracy does not wait for peace. On 28 March 2026, 45 randomly selected residents gathered for the launch of the...
Petra Bayr: ‘Social justice and environmental protection are inseparable’
PACE President Petra Bayr made the following statement today, after a side-event held in the margins of the High-Level Conference on Social Rights (Chisinau, 18–19 March 2026): “On the occasion of the High-Level Conference on Social Rights – the European Social Charter, and at a time when these...
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)....
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 will gather 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...
Council of Europe launches new Steering Committee on the Environment
The Council of Europe is strengthening its work on environmental protection with the first meeting of the Steering Committee on the Environment (CDENV), to be held in Strasbourg on 24 and 25...
Launch of a new reporting cycle on Resolution No. 8 (2012)
The Bern Convention Secretariat, in cooperation with the European Environment Agency (EEA), is launching the second reporting cycle on Resolution No. 8 (2012) covering...
45th meeting of the Standing Committee
The Standing Committee to the Bern Convention will hold its 45th meeting from 8 to 12 December 2025 in Strasbourg. The annual meeting will gather representatives of...
New Council of Europe convention marks milestone in the fight against environmental crime
“We must accelerate our collective efforts to combat the environmental crimes that threaten our future” – Alain Berset
Fifth Meeting of the Council of Europe Intergovernmental Committee on the Environment
The Intergovernmental Committee on the Environment (GME) will hold its final meeting from 2 to 4 December 2025, marking the completion of its mandate. During this session, the Committee will...
Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Landscape Convention
Ministerial Conference to take place in Florence
The 15th Meeting of the Group of Experts on Protected Areas and Ecological Networks
The 15th Meeting of the Group of Experts on Protected Areas and Ecological Networks will take place from 7 to 8 October 2025 in Bar, Montenegro. This event is organised in close collaboration...
3rd Meeting of the Bureau of the Bern Convention in 2025
The Bureau of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats will hold its third...