DSG in Brazil highlights Council of Europe’s role, urging stronger cooperation

At the Horasis Global Meeting in Vitória, Brazil, Deputy Secretary General (DSG), Bjørn Berge, highlighted the role of the Council of Europe and multilateralism in today's challenging world, afflicted with major conflicts and wars. The meeting, focused on Building Bridges to the Future, gathered some of the world's best-known entrepreneurs, ministers and representatives of civil society organisations to discuss pressing challenges facing societies today and tomorrow.

In the panel "Establishing bridges towards global peace", the Deputy Secretary General underlined the high relevance of the Council of Europe's work for countries and organisations beyond the European continent: "Priority actions include support to Ukraine and securing accountability through, among others, the Register of Damage for Ukraine caused by Russian aggression, and the ongoing discussions on the establishment of a new international Special Tribunal on crimes of aggression." He also emphasised the Council of Europe´s expertise in the field of combating violence against women through the Istanbul Convention, its work in fighting Cybercrime and the new treaty on Artificial Intelligence (AI) safeguarding human rights, democracy and rule of law, the first of its kind internationally.

During his visit to Brasilia, Deputy Secretary General had several bilateral meetings, notably with the Chief Justice of the National High Court of Brazil, Herman Benjamin, in which they addressed shared challenges and steps to enhance relations between the Council of Europe and Brazil, including in the areas of accountability, justice and the environment. In his meeting with the Board member of the Brazilian "Instituto de Estudos Socioeconômicos" (INESC), Nathalie Beghin, discussions focused on strengthening democracy in Brazil through building a dialogue with citizens and reinforcing civil society.