Moderated Ms Natalia Plugaru, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova

H.E. Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova

Mr Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Ms Petra BAYR, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Mr Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Council of Europe

Mr Mattias Guyomar, President of the European Court of Human Rights, Council of Europe

Mr Michael O'Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights

Mr Carlo Monticelli, Governor of the Council of Europe Development Bank

Ms Aoife Nolan, President of the European Committee of Social Rights

Moderated by Mr Michael Falzon, Minister for Social Policy and Children's Rights of the Republic of Malta

Keynote Speech/es:

Mr Olivier de Schutter, UN Rapporteur for Extreme Poverty and Human Rights and member of the European Committee of Social Rights

Statements by heads of national delegations/Exchange of views

Responses from other stakeholders

• European Commission/Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion - DG EMPL
• United Nations Populations Fund - UNFPA
• European Economic and Social Council - EESC
• Council of Europe Advisory Council on Youth
• Unión General de Trabajadores - UGT

This session will emphasise the crucial role of social rights, as guaranteed by the European Social Charter system, in building stable and resilient democracies.

In the framework of the New Democratic Pact, Ministers and high-level officials will highlight the link between social justice and democratic stability and security, examining how social rights act as safeguards against democratic erosion and as foundations for inclusive, sustainable societies reinforcing public trust in democratic institutions.

Having regard to contemporary societal challenges, the session will address social rights shortfalls, socio-economic inequality and the cost-of-living crisis and their potential for creating political backlash.

Moderated by the RH Dame Diana Johnson MP, Minister for Employment for the Department of Work and Pensions of the United Kingdom

Keynote Speech:  

Mr George Theodosis, Vice-President of the European Committee of Social Rights

Statements by heads of national delegations / Exchange of views

Responses from other stakeholders

• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development - OECD
• European Institute for Gender Equality - EIGE
• International Labour Organization - ILO
• European Youth Forum - EYF
• International Trade Union Confederation - ITUC

This session will examine the impact of rapid technological change and environmental risks including artificial intelligence, platform work, and non-standard employment, as well as transition to a green economy, on the future of work and social rights. Ministers and high-level participants will reflect on the challenges these transformations pose to fairness, security, and dignity at work.

The discussion will also address the need to foster open and transparent dialogue between workers and employers. Participants will further consider how to ensure that technological innovation goes hand in hand with the protection of human rights and will consider environmental risks.

Moderated by Ms Trini Marín González, Minister of Social Affairs of Andorra

Keynote Speeches:

Ms Tatiana Puiu, Vice-President of the European Committee of Social Rights

Statements by heads of national delegations / Exchange of views

Responses from other stakeholders (ETUC, CiNGO, ANESC, NNHRIs, Equality Bodies*,…)

This session will reflect on ways to further increase the Charter’s relevance and impact, exploring how social rights can shape and support State efforts to tackle key contemporary challenges, notably the cost of living, ageing societies and climate change.

Moderated by Ms Natalia Plugaru, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova

Statements by heads of national delegations / Exchange of views

This session will allow a few heads of national delegations to express and explain their support for the Conference Declaration and for future activities and developments intended to strengthen the Council of Europe response in the area of social rights and the European Social Charter. 

• Statement by Ms Natalia Plugaru, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova
• Statement by Mr Gianluca Esposito, Director General of Human Rights and the Rule of Law, Council of Europe

HE Alexandru Munteanu, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova

Refreshments offered by the Council of Europe and the host country.

End of the Conference.