LISBON, 29 October – The 2025 edition of the Lisbon Forum, a flagship event of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, convened over two days within the framework of Malta’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. The Forum brought together leading policymakers, experts, and civil society representatives from across the globe to examine how artificial intelligence can be governed in a manner that upholds human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and cultural diversity.
Opening the event, Permanent Secretary Mr Christopher Cutajar underscored the urgency of responsible AI governance, stating that technology “must never be an afterthought.” He stressed that “technology is not neutral,” and that its impact is defined by the choices societies make and the values they prioritise.
Malta played a prominent role throughout the Forum, with Maltese experts contributing to both plenary sessions and expert discussions. CEO Kenneth Brincat and Mr Neil Micallef of the Malta Digital Innovation Authority participated in two specialised panels, sharing their expertise and highlighting Malta’s commitment to a citizen-centred, rights-based digital transformation that places people first.
The Forum concluded with a high-level panel featuring Ambassador Francesca Camilleri Vettiger, in her capacity as President of the Executive Committee of the North-South Centre. In her closing remarks, she reiterated that “technology must remain a tool for human benefit—never the other way around,” and welcomed the Lisbon Declaration as a significant step toward more inclusive, transparent, and accountable AI governance.
Also on 29 October in Lisbon, Malta chaired a meeting of the Executive Committee of the North-South Centre, marking a historic milestone as the Democratic Republic of Congo joined as a full member. This accession represents a major step in the Centre’s development and a strong signal of reinforced North-South dialogue, cooperation, and solidarity.
Later that day, the 30th edition of the North-South Prize Ceremony took place at the Portuguese Parliament. This year’s prize was awarded to H.E. Miguel Ángel Moratinos and the Refugee Olympic and Paralympic Initiative, honouring their contributions to fostering understanding, compassion, and cooperation—demonstrating that bridges can be built even in the most divided of times.