19th Ministerial Conference of the Pompidou Group
27-28 November 2025 
Strasbourg, France (Palais de l'Europe, Room 1)
Highlights of the 19th Ministerial Conference of the Pompidou Group
About the conference
For over 50 years, the Council of Europe International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions (Pompidou Group) is serving as a leading platform for dialogue, policy development, and co-operation in drug policy, drug trafficking, prevention, treatment, and harm reduction. Its unique intergovernmental framework as a partial enlarged agreement brings together policymakers, practitioners, and civil society, making it a vital actor in shaping coherent, human-rights-based drug and addiction policies across Europe and beyond.
The Pompidou Group adopts a balanced approach that addresses both the security and health implications of drug trafficking and drug use by focusing equally on reducing drug supply and drug demand. Recognising the complex and multifaceted nature of drug issues, it promotes a multidisciplinary strategy that draws on expertise from diverse fields. Central to its work are the principles of respect for human rights, gender equality and the right to health protection. The Pompidou Group places great importance on the active participation and involvement of civil society, ensuring inclusive and effective policy development, while enabling their participation and inputs in the relevant policy discussions.
The 19th Ministerial Conference took place at a pivotal moment:
- The completion of the 2023–2025 work cycle and the assessment of its impact.
- The increasing complexity and challenges of drug markets, with links to organised crime and international trafficking networks.
- Emerging challenges such as online addictions, digital risks, and evolving patterns of substance use and distribution through digital platforms.
- The importance of human rights, public health, and co-operation frameworks at the core of drug and addiction policies.
The Conference also featured the adoption of the 2026–2029 Work Programme and a Declaration by the ministers, reaffirming their commitment to advancing the Pompidou Group’s strategic priorities. In addition, it emphasised the importance of fostering synergies with international partners such as the European Commission, EUDA, CICAD/OSA, INCB, UNODC, WHO, and international civil society organisations.
Day 1: Thursday, 27 November - Chaired by the Swiss acting Presidency
12:00 Registration of participants
12:30 Buffet-Luncheon at the Foyer of the Committee of Ministers offered by Swiss Presidency
14:00 Opening
- Adoption of the Programme
- Opening by Anne Lévy, State Secretary, Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (French)
- Opening by Gianluca Esposito, Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe
- Address by Ambassador Daniela Cujbă, Moldovan Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
- Address by Francisca Sureda Llull, Government Delegate for the National Plan on Drugs, Ministry of Health of Spain
- Election of the Presidency and Vice-Presidency of the Pompidou Group for 2026-2029
- Declaration of Acceptance of Elections (Presidency / Vice Presidency)
- Endorsement of the composition of the Bureau for 2026-2029 work cycle
14:45 Session 1 – The Pompidou Group’s achievements in the 2023-2025 work cycle and its impact in member States
- Pompidou Group’s work during 2023-2025
- Inputs by Ministers / National authorities
- Michael Falzon, Minister of Social Policy and Children's Rights, Government of Malta
- Tomas Dub, Deputy Minister of European Affairs, Czechia
- Vesna Marinko, Director General of the Public Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Slovenia
- Harry Alex Rusz, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of Hungary to the Council of Europe
- Constantina Achilleos, Vice President of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority
- Ketevan Sarajishvili, Head of the International Relations and Legal Cooperation Department, Ministry of Justice, Georgia
- Voices from civil society
15:45 Coffee break / Family photo for Heads of Delegations
16:15 Session 2 – Addressing risks and harms related to online addictions
- Pompidou Group’s work in addressing online gaming and gambling during 2023-2025
- Katerina Horackova, Permanent Correspondent of Czechia and Head Coordination and Funding Unit at the Drug Policy Department within the Government Office of Czechia
- Sophia Achab, Pompidou Group expert, Deputy Director, Addiction Division, Department of Psychiatry, Head of WHO Collaborating Center for Training and Research in Mental Health, WHOCC SWI - University of Geneva
- Inputs by Ministers / National authorities / Experts
- Rareș-Petru Achiriloaie, State Secretary and President of National Agency for Policies and Coordination in the Field of Drugs and Addictions in Romania
- João Castel-Branco Goulão, National Coordinator on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies and Chair of the Executive Board of the Institute on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies, Ministry of Health, Portugal
- Athanasios Theocharis, National Coordinator for Addiction Treatment at the Ministry of Health, Greece
- Alice Schogger, Head of Department for International Addiction Affairs, Federal Ministry for Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Republic of Austria
- Christian Tournié, President of the MEDICRIME Committee at the Council of Europe (French)
- Nicola Muccioli, Chair of the MONEYVAL Committee
- Pre-recorded Intervention by the World Health Organization (WHO)
- Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Control at the World Health Organization (WHO)
- Voices from Youth
17:15 Ceremony: Pompidou Group 2025 Prevention Prize
- Franz Pietsch, Permanent Correspondent of Austria to the Pompidou Group and responsible Bureau member for the Prevention Prize activity
- Mălina Turtureanu, Member of the 2025 Prevention Prize Jury
- Catarina Veríssimo Baptista Correia, Project Gabinete de Apoio Psicossocial (Portugal)
- Nikoletta Polydorou, Sistema Cyprus (Cyprus)
- Haider Naji, Alumnus of Sistema Cyprus (Cyprus)
- Bruna Viatico, Project “CRISSCROSS” (Portugal)
18:00 Closing
19:30 Reception hosted by the Mayor of Strasbourg at the Hôtel de Ville, Place Broglie, Strasbourg
Day 2: Friday, 28 November - Chaired by the new Presidency
09:30 Statements of Elected Presidency and Vice-Presidency
- Statement by the Incoming Presidency
- Statement by the Incoming Vice-Presidency
09:45 Session 3 – Council of Europe values at the heart of drug and addiction policies
- Pompidou Group’ s work in the field of human rights and drug policies during 2023-2025
- Lucien Colliander, Permanent Correspondent, Vice-Chair of the Drafting Committee on Human Rights and Drug Policies (DH-PDA), Senior Advisor and Lawyer from the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA), Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), Switzerland
- Tonje Meinich, Chair of the Drafting Committee on Human rights and Drug Policies (DH-PDA) and Vice-Chair of the Steering Committee on Human Rights (CDDH) at the Council of Europe
- Pompidou Group Work Programme for 2026-2029 work cycle
- Inputs by Ministers / National authorities highlighting priorities set out in the Work Programme 2026-2029
- Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, Minister of State Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Ireland
- Sorin Popescu, Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice, Republic of Moldova
- Andrius Krivas, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the Council of Europe
- Maryna Slobodnichenko, Deputy Minister, European Integration Ministry of Health, Ukraine
- Véronique Bertholle, Deputy Mayor of Strasbourg, Thematic Spokesperson on Youth of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Council of Europe
- Sylvia Paola Mendoza Elguea, Multidimensional Security Coordinator, MFA, Directorate-General for the United Nations Mexico
- Maria João Fernandes, Vice President, National Commission for the Promotion and the Protection of children (CDENF), Portugal; designated member to DH-PDA
- Martin Birnbaumer-Onder, Permanent Correspondent to Pompidou Group; Addiction Commissioner, Office of Social Affairs, Liechtenstein
- Marco Ganci, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Council of Europe
- Statements by international partner organisations
- Tarana Baghirova, Programme Officer Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Human Trafficking (OSCE)
- Angela Crowdy, Acting Executive Secretary Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) Secretariat for Multidimensional Security Organization of American States, Organization of American States
- Pre-recorded Intervention by the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA)
- Adoption by Ministers of the Pompidou Group Work Programme 2026-2029
11:00 Coffee break
11:20 Session 4 – Combating organised crime related to drug trafficking
- Pompidou Group’s policy guidelines on combating organised crime related to drug trafficking; and key priorities
- Gareth Henry, Chair of the Joint Expert Group on organised crime related to drug trafficking (OC-DT); Pompidou Group expert designated by Ireland
- Lorenzo Salazar, Member of the Joint Expert Group on organised crime related to drug trafficking (OC-DT); Vice-Chair of CDPC; Pompidou Group expert designated by CDPC
- Inputs by Ministers / National Authorities highlighting priorities in combating organised crime and drug trafficking
- Lubomir Iossifov, Deputy Minister, Interior Ministry of Ministry of Interior, Bulgaria
- Darius Domarkas, Head, Public Security Policy Group, Ministry of the Interior of the Republic, Lithuania
- Risto Stavrevski, Chief of Cabinet of the Minister, Ministry of Interior, North Macedonia
- Cornel Virgiliu Călinescu, Chair, Committee of Experts on Criminal Asset Recovery (PC-RAC)
- Giorgi Jokhadze, Project Manager in the Cybercrime Division, Council of Europe
- Statements by international partner organisations
12:20 Ministerial Declaration
- Presentation and adoption of the Ministerial Declaration
12:50 Closing
- Concluding remarks by Rafael Benitez, Director of Social Rights, Health and Environment
- Remarks by the new Presidency
13:00 End of Conference
13:15 Seated luncheon for Heads of Delegations, at the Restaurant of the Palais de l'Europe
- Hosted by the Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law of the Council of Europe, on behalf of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe
13:15 Buffet luncheon for other participants at the Foyer of the Committee of Ministers
Media Gallery
Pompidou Group Prevention Prize 2025 - Winner selection process
Video testimonial by Rafael Benitez, Director of Social rights, Health and Environment, Council of Europe
Video testimonial by Mari Viro Moser, Chair of Pompidou Group Permanent Correspondents Committee, Switzerland
Video testimonial by Franz Pietsch, Permanent Correspondent and Bureau member for Austria, Chair of EUDA Management Board
Media corner
Sessions open to the media:
Day 1 (27 November 2025)
- 14:00 - 14:45 Opening and elections
- 17:45 - 18:15 Pompidou Group 2025 Prevention Prize Ceremony
Day 2 (28 November 2025)
- 09:30 - 10:00 Statements from incoming Presidency and Vice-Presidency
- 12:50 - 13:00 Closing
Press facilities:
- Media box (press interview corner) available for one-to-one interviews
- Designated Press Points inside the Palais de l'Europe for statements
- Simultaneous interpretation of the event in English and French during the sessions of the Conference
Media coverage of the Ministerial Conference
- Co-operation in the fight against the illicit drug trafficking is expanding: a delegation led by Armen Mkrtchyan has participated in the Pompidou Group's conference in Strasbourg (AM)
- 19th Ministerial Conference of the Pompidou Group: Ministerial Declaration and Work Programme 2026-2029 (FR)
- Deputy Minister Lyubomir Yosifov participates in the 19th Ministerial Conference of the Pompidou Group (BG)
- Czechia to take over chairmanship of the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe in 2028 (DE)
- The Czech Republic will set the direction for addiction policy in the Council of Europe (CZ)
- Austria and Czechia to chair Council of Europe's counter-drug Group (CZ)
- Czech news in brief for November 30: Sunday's top afternoon headlines
- Austria and Czechia to lead the Pompidou Group for 2026–2029
- Cyprus project wins Council of Europe Drug Prevention Prize (GR)
- Council of Europe: Strasbourg, Ministerial Conference on prevention and drug policies (IT)
- Council of Europe: Strasbourg, Ministerial Conference on prevention and drug policies (IT)
- The Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe on drug policy begins its new working period in the presence of Liechtenstein (DE)
- Council of Europe Pompidou Group on drug policy begins new working period with Liechtenstein in attendance (DE)
- Moldova's priorities in the field of drug policies, presented at the Ministerial Conference of the Pompidou Group (RO)
- A delegation from the Ministry of the Interior actively participated in the 19th Pompidou Group Ministerial Conference in Strasbourg (MK)
- Pompidou Group meeting, 27–28 November, Strasbourg (PT)
- 19th Ministerial Conference of the Pompidou Group (PT)
- Kosmicare Association honoured by the Pompidou Group (PT)
- ICAD-funded project honoured by the Pompidou Group (PT)
- Portugal highlights risks of digital addiction at the 19th Ministerial Conference of the Pompidou Group (PT)
- Press release - National Agency for Drug and Addiction Policy and Coordination (RO)
- Romania represented at the Pompidou Group Ministerial Conference: Focus on digital addictions and European co-operation (RO)
Practical information
For any queries, please contact the Secretariat at [email protected]