The Congress examined the challenges posed by migration for cities and regions in a debate held on 26 October 2021 during the 41st Session, in Strasbourg, France, with the participation of Ambassador Drahoslav Štefánek, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on Migration and Refugees, and Erini Dourou (Greece, SOC/V/PD), Congress rapporteur on migration issues.

"The Congress certainly has a legitimate voice in this area since as local and regional authorities have a major role to play in the reception and integration of migrants and refugees," said Ambassador Štefánek in presenting the Council of Europe Action Plan. He underlined the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular on access to health care and housing, and the additional burden on local and regional authorities.

Over the past five years, the Congress has made recommendations to governments and developed guidelines on how to manage migration at local and regional levels. The Congress's approach revolves around early integration, a clear division of competences between the national, regional and local levels, and the protection of unaccompanied children and other vulnerable groups.

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