The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, is due to take part in the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and, in particular, to give a speech on 23 February, during the high-level segment of the session, on the challenges facing international law and democracy. In the delicate context of a breakdown in the international rules-based system, he will highlight the importance of multilateralism on this visit which will offer an opportunity to strengthen ties with the United Nations and Geneva's international bodies. On 24 February, he will travel to Lausanne for a conference on democratic security in a Europe engaged in a process of rearmament.
In Geneva, the Secretary General will also talk to state representatives with a view to strengthening co-operation on human rights and democratic governance. He will also meet officials from other international organisations to promote increased co-operation and dialogue between the Council of Europe and the institutions based in Geneva.
On 24 February, the Secretary General will take part in an event focusing on social rights and democratic stability, co-organised by the Council of Europe on the sidelines of the session as a lead-up to the high-level conference on social rights to be held on 18-19 March in Chisinau (Republic of Moldova). The discussion will centre on how investing in social rights can strengthen public trust and democratic resilience, the aim being to translate the undertakings of the Doha World Summit for Social Development (2025) into concrete action in a European context, particularly by means of the European Social Charter.
On the afternoon of 24 February, Mr Berset will be the main speaker at a conference in Lausanne entitled "What Democratic Security in a Rearming Europe?", to be hosted by the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe and the University of Lausanne.
At a time when Europe is undergoing one of the most unstable periods in its recent history, security issues inevitably lie at the heart of public debate. With increasing military budgets, growing hybrid threats and the return of high-intensity warfare at its gates, Europe's geopolitical landscape has been shaken to its core. Mr Berset will present a political and institutional analysis of these issues, highlighting the growing tensions between security imperatives, respect for the rule of law and protection of fundamental freedoms.
Secretary General Alain Berset
61st session of the UN Human Rights Council
