The Secretary General – has the overall responsibility for the strategic management of the Organisation. Ms Pejčinović Burić was elected in June 2019. The Secretary General is elected by the Parliamentary Assembly for a five-year term at the head of the Organisation. She is responsible for the strategic planning and direction of the Council's work programme and budget. She leads and represents the Organisation.
The Committee of Ministers – is the Council of Europe’s statutory decision-making body. It is made up of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the member States. The Committee meets at ministerial level once a year and at Deputies' level (Permanent Representatives to the Council of Europe) weekly. The Ministers’ Deputies are assisted by a Bureau, rapporteur groups, thematic coordinators and ad hoc working parties.
Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) – The Assembly brings together 324 members from the parliaments of the Council of Europe's 47 member states. The Assembly elects the Secretary General, the Human Rights Commissioner and the judges to the European Court of Human Rights. Reflecting political opinion across the continent, its mission is to uphold the shared values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law that are the "common heritage" of the peoples of Europe.
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRAE) – The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is responsible for strengthening local and regional democracy in its 47 member states. Composed of two chambers – the Chamber of Local Authorities and the Chamber of Regions – and three committees, has a total of 648 elected officials representing more than 150 000 local and regional authorities.
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) – The European Court of Human Rights overseas the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights in its member states. This is the permanent judicial body which garantees for all Europeans the rights safeguarded by the European Convention on Human Rights. It is open to states and individuals regardless of nationality. The 47 member states of the Council of Europe are parties to the Convention.
The Commissioner for Human Rights (Dunja Mijatović) – is an independent and impartial non-judicial institution established in 1999 by Council of Europe to promote awareness of and respect for human rights in the 47 Council of Europe member states.
Venice Commission – Gianni Buquicchio, President of the Venice Commission: “The European Commission for Democracy through Law, better known as the Venice Commission, is the Council of Europe's independent advisory body on constitutional matters. It provides legal advice and prepares general texts in the following main areas: functioning of democratic institutions and protection of fundamental rights; elections, referendums and political parties, and constitutional justice.
Set up by 18 Member states of the Council of Europe in 1990 it has since subsequently played a decisive role in the adoption and implementation of constitutions in line with Europe’s constitutional heritage. In 2021, it has 62 full members and 10 other entities formally associated with its work."