On 23-24 September 2021, the Council of Europe’s European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency organised a technical meeting followed by an international conference to strengthen efforts to end statelessness in Europe and guarantee the provision of fundamental rights to everyone. The event brought together over 130 senior representatives of governments of member States, national authorities with specific expertise in nationality and statelessness issues, judges, representatives of international and regional organisations, civil society organisations and academics, as well as stateless individuals.

Statelessness remains a significant issue both globally and in Europe. It is estimated that more than half a million people in Europe are stateless or have undetermined nationality. The right to a nationality is reflected in numerous international treaties, including the Council of Europe’s European Convention on Nationality based on the principles of prevention of statelessness and non-discrimination. The right to a nationality constitutes part of a person's social identity and is considered a gateway to the enjoyment of a range of other rights, including access to education, employment, health care, housing and freedom of movement.

Both events mark an important milestone in the fulfilment by the Council of Europe’s intergovernmental sector of the pledge made to implement by 2021 a series of activities under Actions 6, 7, 9 and other of the Global Action Plan to End Statelessness (2014-2024) by 2021.

“This Conference plays an important role in inspiring collective action. Indeed, with a spirit of partnership, we can make statelessness a fact of the past”, said Gillian Triggs, UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, who spoke at the event.

The Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on Migration and Refugees, Drahoslav Štefánek, said: “Stateless persons are particularly vulnerable, subject to States’ obligation to provide them with special protection and assistance. The new Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe (2021-2025) includes the elaboration of practical guidance to address vulnerabilities throughout asylum and migration procedures, including reception conditions.”