The Lisbon Forum 2025, organized by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, will be held on October 28-29. Over 200 experts, policymakers, and civil society leaders from around the world will gather to discuss global AI governance. The focus will be on balancing AI development with human rights, democracy, and cultural diversity.
This event builds on the Council of Europe’s groundbreaking AI and human rights framework, the first international treaty on AI governance. The forum will address how societies can respond to AI challenges, including the pressing need for AI literacy and skills development for lawmakers, legal professionals, and vulnerable groups.
The event will also serve as a platform for fostering intercultural and regional dialogue. It will provide a space for diverse stakeholders to share insights, exchange ideas, and collaborate on actionable solutions. The goal is to advance human-rights-based AI governance, ensuring a more inclusive digital future.
Key speakers at the forum include Alain Berset, Secretary General, who will close the event on October 29, along with other notable figures such as Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN Under-Secretary-General, and Augustin Kibassa Maliba, Minister of Digital Economy from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Additionally, Inês Domingos, Portugal’s Secretary of State for European Affairs, and Francesca Camilleri Vettiger, Ambassador of Malta, will take part. Other speakers include Christopher Cutajar, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs in Malta, and Neema Lugangira, Tanzanian Member of Parliament and AI governance leader.
The theme of this year’s forum is “AI and Global Governance: Rights, Representativity, and Readiness.” The North-South Centre is partnering with various international organizations, including the AICTO and the Global Partnership on AI, to host the event.
Plenary sessions will be streamed live on the North-South Centre’s website, making the discussions accessible to a global audience.
