Secretary General Alain Berset of the 46-member Council of Europe will stress that in an increasingly fragmented and multipolar world, democratic security is essential to Europe’s long-term stability, resilience and prosperity at the Dubrovnik Forum on 26–27 June.
As European democracies face growing challenges linked to war, foreign information manipulation, societal polarisation and declining trust in institutions, Alain Berset will focus on the importance of reinforcing democracy, human rights and the rule of law as the foundations of lasting security.
Securing stability in a multipolar world
Held under the theme “The Age of multipolarity: many directions, one future,” this year's forum marks the 20th anniversary of the event and will bring together political leaders, policymakers, experts and representatives of international organisations to discuss the geopolitical, economic and security implications of a rapidly changing global order.
Against this backdrop the Dubrovnik Forum provides an opportunity to reflect on the enduring importance of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in safeguarding Europe's security and stability.
Just ahead of travelling to Croatia – which this year marks its 30th anniversary since joining the Council of Europe – the Secretary General said:
“Multipolarity does not mean abandoning common principles. In a more fragmented world, democracy, human rights and the rule of law become even more important as anchors of stability, trust and security. Democratic security is Europe's strongest response to today's uncertainty.”
At the forum, the Secretary General will present key Council of Europe initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic resilience across the continent, including the New Democratic Pact for Europe, launched following the Reykjavík Summit.
He will also highlight the organisation's leading role in advancing accountability for Russia's aggression against Ukraine through the Register of Damage for Ukraine and related international mechanisms.
Geopolitics in a key part of Europe focus for bilateral meetings
The Secretary General will also hold meetings with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman, Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković and other senior interlocutors. Discussions are expected to focus on democratic security, support for Ukraine, accountability for Russia's aggression, democratic resilience, the Western Balkans and broader challenges facing Europe in a period of geopolitical uncertainty.
On Saturday, 27 June, Alain Berset will participate in the panel discussion “The Age of multipolarity: navigating new realities”, alongside Prime Minister Plenković, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu. The discussion will examine how states and societies can navigate an international environment increasingly shaped by geopolitical competition, multiple centres of power and growing security challenges.
Secretary General Alain Berset
Croatia and the Council of Europe
The Council of Europe and the OSCE
