Participation of the Honourable Greg Fergus, P.C., M.P., Speaker of the House of Commons, to the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament, Strasbourg, France

On March 19 and 20, 2025, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Greg Fergus, P.C., M.P., participated in the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament, in Strasbourg, France. More than 60 Speakers or Deputy Speakers, and approximately 400 delegates participated in the conference, which is held every two years under the auspices of the Strasbourg-based Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first conference.

Participants included Speakers and Presidents of parliaments from the 46 member states of the Council of Europe and many partner, observer and neighbouring countries, as well as the heads of several interparliamentary assemblies. The mission of the Council of Europe is set up to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The themes of the conference were safeguarding democracy; guaranteeing freedom of expression in times of polarisation and uncertainty; and violence against politicians.

During the conference, the Speaker had the opportunity to conduct meetings with his counterparts from within the European Council, other observer nations and interparliamentary assemblies.