Ibero‑American parliaments prioritise AI regulation ahead of 2026 Madrid forum

The Congress of Deputies and the Senate of Spain hosted the preparatory meeting for the 12th Ibero‑American Parliamentary Forum on 5 December, ahead of the forum’s scheduled session in Madrid in the autumn of 2026. Delegations from the 22 Ibero‑American countries met to agree the thematic lines that will guide the forum’s work amid rapid technological change and global democratic challenges.

Participants identified the regulation of artificial intelligence as an urgent priority. Delegates also prioritised strengthening the role of parliaments, promoting more participatory democracy and boosting parliamentary diplomacy. The Ibero‑American space represented at the meeting covers nearly 700 million people, and speakers stressed the need for coordinated regional responses.

Andorra’s Síndic General, Carles Ensenyat, said such forums are essential for addressing shared problems and fostering inter‑parliamentary cooperation. He called for legislation that is “agile, but safe” in response to advances in AI, arguing that technology “must enhance transparency and public ethics.” Ensenyat warned of the risk of a “technofeudal society” and urged that parliaments remain open spaces of democratic representation, building bridges with civil society.

Andrés Allamand, Secretary General of the Ibero‑American General Secretariat (SEGIB), said the meeting launches the process of drafting the reports that will be presented to the next Ibero‑American Summit of Heads of State and Government. Those preliminary reports must receive the approval of two‑thirds of member countries before being elevated to the summit.

The preparatory session consolidated the main thematic lines and set the technical work ahead of the main forum in 2026. Delegations agreed to continue developing common proposals and analytical reports intended to inform both legislative responses and multilateral cooperation across the region.