The European Conference of Data Protection Authorities, one of the most important international forums in the field of privacy and data protection, took place in Antalya, Turkey, from 5 to 8 May 2026, with the participation of European data protection authorities, international organisations, academics and representatives of civil society. The event was also attended by the Information and Data Protection Commissioner, Mr Besnik Dervishi.
Organized by the Turkish Data Protection Authority, the Conference served as a platform for discussing the latest developments in the field of personal data protection, the challenges of artificial intelligence and the strengthening of international cooperation between supervisory authorities.
During the working sessions, topics of particular importance were addressed, such as the interaction between data protection legislation and the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act, the protection of health data, children’s privacy in digital environments, the role of the Data Protection Officer (DPO), as well as the legal and ethical challenges brought by the development of new technologies. As part of the Conference proceedings, a draft resolution for the creation of a cooperation subgroup within the European Conference of Data Protection Authorities was also approved by majority vote.
An important moment of the Conference was the election of new members of the Steering Group, where four new authorities were elected by majority vote: Kosovo, Italy, Bulgaria and Guernsey. The inclusion of Kosovo in this steering structure was assessed as an important development for increasing the role and representation of the region in European personal data protection forums.
The participants also approved Kosovo’s candidacy to host the 2027 Spring Conference, entrusting the Kosovo authority with the organization of one of the most important European activities in this field. This decision was considered an assessment of trust in Kosovo’s active role in promoting European privacy and personal data protection standards.
At the end of the proceedings, the Conference reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation and coordination between supervisory authorities in the face of new challenges brought by the digital transformation, with a focus on strengthening European standards for the protection of personal data and guaranteeing citizens’ rights in the digital age.
