The Conference of Participants of the Register held its fifth meeting in Strasbourg on 11 October 2024, bringing together the representatives of the 44 Participants and Associate Members.
“I have been clear that Ukraine will be the Council of Europe’s top priority during my mandate as Secretary General. Central to this is ensuring the accountability that is needed for any just and sustainable peace given the crimes that are being carried out by Russia in its war of aggression. The Register of Damage is central to our Organisation’s approach and it has achieved a great deal in a very short time. More than 10, 000 claims have already been submitted for the damage or destruction of residential housing,” said the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, at the opening.
The President of the Parliamentary Assembly, Theodoros Rousopoulos, underlined that “in addition to the vast material losses and the damaged economic system, we must also consider the moral suffering of those affected by injuries, sexual violence, torture, and the grief caused by the death, disappearance or wounding of their loved ones. “War is decided by some but endured by others.” Even though the prospects of a swift end to the war may remain clouded by pessimism, today we speak of hope - the hope born from multilateralism.”
The Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Mathieu Mori, stressed that “we must ensure that the Register is accessible to as many people as possible” and underlined that “it is important to develop the capacities of local and regional authorities in providing support to citizens, notably for categories that go beyond the damage and loss of residential housing.”
During the meeting, the Executive Director of the Register, Markiyan Kliuchkovskyi, provided an update on the Register's activities since the 4th meeting of the Conference. He expressed gratitude to the Secretary General for his personal support, as well as the Organisation’s commitment to the Register and its work in pursuing accountability for Ukraine. Mr. Kliuchkovskyi emphasised, “We are only at the beginning of a long journey toward justice, and the Register's early milestones reveal the full scope and scale of the devastation Ukraine and its people have endured due to Russia's aggression. The unwavering support of our Participants and Associate Members is critical to our success — both for the Register and in the efforts to establish a Claims Commission for Ukraine. We are encouraged by the progress made so far."
The Register’s budget for 2025 was also adopted and the Conference exchanged views on claim forms and rules for 16 categories of claims proposed by the Board. The claim forms and rules will be put before the Conference for approval later in October.
Speeches
