Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has concluded his official visit to Geneva, which took place from 24 to 26 February 2025. The visit was marked by several speeches and ministerial meetings at the Human Rights Council, reiterating the Council of Europe's commitment to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. It also provided an opportunity to give a lecture at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID), and to build bilateral contacts.
During his visit, the Secretary General gave a speech at the biennial panel on the death penalty, reaffirming the Council of Europe's commitment to its universal abolition. He also spoke at the high-level segment of the United Nations Human Rights Council, emphasising the organisation's crucial role in promoting and protecting fundamental rights in Europe, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine, and beyond.
On the sidelines of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council, the Secretary General held bilateral talks with various officials, including Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Jürg Lauber, President of the UN Human Rights Council, Carlos Ramiro Martínez Alvarado, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, Alberto Van Klaveren, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile, Macaé Evaristo, Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship of Brazil, Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cameroon, Maxime Prévot, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda, Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See, Jan Beagle, Director-General of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) and Zacarias Albano da Costa, Executive Secretary of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). The meetings helped to boost international co-operation on human rights and democratic governance.
On 24 February, Alain Berset was invited to give a lecture at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID). During his lecture and in discussions with the audience, he highlighted the current challenges facing the European continent, including the consequences of the war in Ukraine, the growing pressures on democracy, the rise of artificial intelligence and the impact of climate change on human rights.
In addition, the Secretary General took advantage of his presence in Geneva to meet with Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), stressing the importance of social rights and decent work within the framework of the Council of Europe's missions.
The visit reaffirmed the Council of Europe's commitment to the promotion and protection of fundamental values, human rights, democracy and the rule of law, while strengthening ties with international partners in order to meet the challenges of the modern age.
