Our priorities
The Presidency of Monaco of the Committee of Ministers will be guided by the following vision: “Protecting everyone through an effective Organisation to address current challenges”.
This approach embodies Monaco’s commitment to contributing to European efforts to protect people and address the continent’s current challenges. It creates the framework within which the thematic priorities, initiatives and events during our six-month Presidency will take place.
Protecting everyone
The Presidency will put the emphasis on protecting people’s rights in answer to contemporary risks and on promoting inclusive societies based on the effective respect for human rights.
The promotion of gender equality and the fight against violence against women, in particular through the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, will be key priorities for the Presidency, in line with commitments and actions already taken by Monaco at the national and international levels in this field.
The protection of children and the participation of young people are priorities for both the Council of Europe and Monaco. We will address topics such as the prevention of radicalisation and violent extremism among young people, the impact of social media, promoting child-friendly justice, and combating disinformation.
Sport is a powerful tool for sustainable development, thanks to its wide-ranging contribution to physical and mental health, education, inclusion and social cohesion, as well as through the transmission of values that shape children and young people throughout their lives.
For its power to be fully realised, sport must be practised free from all forms of violence and and in an environment that promotes, above all, children’s well-being and personal development.
The 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport will be held in Monaco on 3 and 4 November 2026.
Through an effective Organisation
The Presidency intends to contribute to the fruitful functioning and effectiveness of the European system for the protection of human rights and of the Council of Europe as a whole.
Monaco reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights and to the independence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which are the cornerstones of the European system for the protection of human rights.
The effective functioning of the ECHR and the strengthening of the enforcement of the Court’s judgments, within the framework of the collective supervision exercised by the Committee of Ministers, are crucial to ensuring the credibility of the Council of Europe.
The Principality will promote regular dialogue and cooperation between all Member States and between all Bodies of the Council of Europe in order to enhance the coherence of commitments and to ensure that actions are fully in line with the Organisation’s aims and values.
To meet today’s challenges
In response to evolving threats, the Presidency will seek to strengthen European cooperation.
In an uncertain geopolitical time, where the rule of law is frequently challenged and where States are in greatest need of common rules to address the challenges facing us all, strengthening cooperation at all levels is a key priority for all Governments.
The Council of Europe’s contribution is invaluable, including for the development of new commitments and Instruments during Monaco’s Presidency.
The major challenges facing the continent – namely the war of aggression in Ukraine, the erosion of the rule of law and of citizens’ trust in national and international institutions, the undermining of fundamental freedoms and rights, disinformation and declining participation in public and democratic life – must be addressed through shared responses.
A renewed mobilisation of all Member States and Bodies of the Council of Europe will be crucial to keep alive the principles that form the foundation of our common project.