The 30th edition of the Lisbon Forum took place on 28–29 October 2025 under the theme: “AI and Global Governance: Rights, Representativity, and Readiness.” Building on the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law — the world’s first international treaty on AI — the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe’s Lisbon Forum explored how societies can govern these technologies in ways that are inclusive, rights-based, and globally connected.
The Forum gave the Council of Europe and the partners of this edition the chance to organise workshops for over 250 policymakers, legal professionals, and civil society representatives, providing a platform to explore the opportunities and challenges posed by AI.
The European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) notably organised a workshop on the intersection of migration governance, technology, and human rights in the Mediterranean, featuring three case studies presented by young experts from the region. These contributions highlighted the ethical, legal, and humanitarian challenges posed by technological transformations in migration management.
It was emphasised that digitalisation and AI are transforming migration processes, from managing asylum applications to the securitisation of borders, directly affecting the lives and rights of migrants. Algorithmic biases were also highlighted as a risk to the fundamental rights of asylum seekers, potentially leading to wrongful rejections or unlawful discrimination. At the same time, AI technologies used for border control could be repurposed for humanitarian objectives, particularly to track and identify missing migrants along Mediterranean routes. Finally, the workshop raised awareness of the vulnerability of migrant women to technology-facilitated gender-based violence and stressed the need for gender-sensitive approaches to ensure safe and inclusive digital spaces.
The Forum was part of the policy programme of the Maltese Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. It was organised by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe in close collaboration with the Council of Europe’s Directorate General for Digital Governance and Sport, as part of the joint programme between the European Union and the Council of Europe, "Protecting human rights, rule of law and democracy through shared standards in the Southern Mediterranean" (South Programme V), co-funded by both organisations.
