THEMATIC HEARING
Connecting Asia, the Global South and Europe for responsible AI in the public sector
4 November 2025 (12.30 - 2.30PM CET) 
Strasbourg, Palais de l’Europe, Room 1
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming public services in Asia and across the Global South, driving innovation, economic development, and new solutions to societal challenges. AI’s rapid deployment also raises urgent questions of ethics, governance, and human rights that need to be addressed in order to build trust and sustainability.
The Council of Europe’s Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI) is hosting a dedicated thematic hearing on 4 November 2025. This forum will bring together leading experts and policymakers from Asia, the Global South, and beyond to explore public sector applications of AI and to share perspectives on responsible governance.
The event will showcase national strategies, regulatory approaches, and lessons learned from each region, while highlighting the CAI’s role as a global convening platform. It will encourage dialogue on good practices, foster collaboration across regions, and explore ways to align national initiatives with the values of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
4 November 2025
(12.30 - 2.30PM CET)
Palais de l’Europe, Room 1 (snacks provided)
www.coe.int/ai
Opening remarks
Ms Hanne JUNCHER – Director of Security, Integrity and Rule of Law, Council of Europe
Moderator
Dr Basheerhamad SHADRACH - Director, Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (India)
Panel (in alphabetical order)
Ts. Dr. Azlina AB. AZIZ - Principal Assistant Director, National Cybersecurity Agency (Malaysia)
Mr Waldemar GONÇALVES - President-Director of the National Data Protection Authority (Brazil)
Ms Fumiko KUDO - Specially Appointed Associate Professor at the Research Center on Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues at Osaka University, member of the Study Group focusing on AI regulatory frameworks in the Cabinet Office (Japan)
Mr Moez MAHMOUDI - Director for European Organisations, Republic of Tunisia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad (Tunisia)
Mr Doh-Uk SHIN - Director of the International Legal Policy Division, Ministry of Justice (Republic of Korea)
Mr Amit THAPAR - Head of International AI Strategy, Policy and Multilaterals at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (the United Kingdom)
Practical details:
- Working language: English.
- Venue: Palais de l’Europe, Room 1.
- Participation: The Thematic Hearing will be held in person and is by invitation only. It is not open to the public. However, the event will be livestreamed on this webpage to allow for broader access. Please note that the livestream is for viewing purposes only; remote participants will not have the possibility to take the floor or interact with the speakers.
- Getting around Strasbourg: local transport & useful contacts.
- Access to the Council of Europe premises and registration: Badges will be distributed at the entrance of the building on the day of the Thematic Hearing upon presentation of a valid ID or passport.
- Meals: Snacks will be offered during the event. A cafeteria is available on site.