Ibero‑American parliaments prioritise AI regulation ahead of 2026 forum

On 5 December, the Congress of Deputies and the Senate of Spain hosted the preparatory meeting for the 12th Ibero‑American Parliamentary Forum, which will take place in Madrid in the autumn of 2026. Delegations from the 22 countries of the Ibero‑American space met to agree the priorities 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, alongside measures to strengthen the role of parliaments, promote more participatory democracy and boost parliamentary diplomacy. The forum brings together territories representing nearly 700 million people, and delegates stressed the need for coordinated responses across the region.

Andorra’s Síndic General, Carles Ensenyat, argued that such forums are essential for tackling shared problems and fostering inter‑parliamentary cooperation. He called for legislation that is “agile, but safe” in response to advances in AI, saying technology “must enhance transparency and public ethics.” Ensenyat also warned of the risk of creating 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 at the next Summit of Heads of State and Government. Those preliminary reports — which will require the approval of two‑thirds of member countries before being elevated to the summit — are expected to focus on AI regulation, mechanisms to make democracy more participatory, and the role of parliamentary diplomacy.

The preparatory session served to consolidate thematic lines and to set the technical work ahead of the main forum in 2026. Delegations agreed to continue developing common proposals and analytical reports that can inform both legislative responses and multilateral cooperation across the Ibero‑American region.