As part of Malta’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the country will welcome the Bureau of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities – a central body responsible for guiding the Congress’s work and ensuring that democratic standards are upheld at the local and regional levels across Europe.
Complementing the core meeting, international delegates from local and regional authorities will take part in a seminar focused on advancing women’s participation in politics. Equitable participation of women and men in political life across all tiers of governance is a cornerstone of representative democracy. The legitimacy of European democracies relies on inclusive decision-making processes that reflect the diversity of society, particularly in local governance where policies directly shape citizens’ lives and communities. Guided by this mission, the seminar aims to identify the barriers to the participation of women in politics and promote ideas and good practices in overcoming these barriers.
The Bureau, which convenes representatives from both the Chamber of Local Authorities and the Chamber of Regions, ensures the Congress continues its mission between plenary sessions. It acts as the backbone of the Congress’s operations, maintaining progress on key democratic initiatives and shaping the strategic direction of the body.
