Monaco takes helm of Council of Europe for six months
By Laurent Duval, MonacoViews Editorial
The Principality assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers on 15 May, with women's and children's rights at the top of its agenda.
From 15 May, Monaco holds the rotating presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the Strasbourg-based body that oversees member states' compliance with human rights standards and the European Convention on Human Rights. The six-month term places the Principality at the head of an institution representing 46 nations and roughly 700 million people.
The presidency's stated priorities centre on advancing the legal protection of women and children, areas where Monaco's government has signalled it intends to push for concrete progress among member states rather than symbolic declarations. For a small nation that rarely commands a multilateral platform of this scale, the role offers real diplomatic weight for the duration of 2026's second half.
The handover marks a significant moment in Monaco's broader engagement with European institutions. Residents and property owners with cross-border interests across the continent will be watching how the Principality uses the position to shape the policy agenda before the presidency rotates again at the end of November.