This side event will take place during the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) 61^st session in Geneva (February 2026) and it is aiming to build a bridge from the outcomes of the Second World Summit for Social Development (Doha, 2025) to the forthcoming High-Level Conference of the Council of Europe on Social Rights (HLC) (Chisinau, March 2026).

This initiative offers a unique opportunity to translate renewed global ambition on social development into concrete, rights-based commitments enshrined in the European Social Charter which reinforce social justice, democratic resilience, and stability.

This 60 minute session will feature opening keynote addresses by the Secretary General of Council of Europe, Ministers, UN and ILO leaders, discussion and interactive Q&A with participants. Working language will be English. Access for UN badge holders only.

Programme

10:45 Welcome coffee

Moderator: Mr Rafael Benitez, Director of Social Rights, Health and Environment, Council of Europe

11:00 | High-Level Conversation

Mr Alain Berset,  Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Mr Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director General of the ILO

Mr Mihai Popșoi, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova

Ms Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al-Misnad, Minister for International Cooperation, State of Qatar

Ms Ana Isabel Xavier, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Portugal, Portugal

Ms Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of the UNECE

 Q&A

12:00| Closing of the event