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.PT took part in the 2026 edition of EuroDIG (European Dialogue on Internet Governance), held on 26 and 27 May in Brussels under the theme "European Voices for the Future of the Internet – Celebrating 20 Years of .eu and the Beginning of a New Internet Governance Era”. The celebration of the 20th anniversary of the .eu domain served as a starting point for a broader reflection on Europe’s role in shaping an open, secure, resilient and people-centred Internet.

Key topics on the agenda included European technological sovereignty, artificial intelligence, the protection of democracy in the digital sphere, online child safety and the implementation of the outcomes of the WSIS+20 review.

Despite the diversity of discussions, a common message emerged and was strongly reinforced by Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy: Europe must continue to champion a multistakeholder model of Internet governance, bringing together governments, the private sector, the technical community, the academic community and civil society to address today’s digital challenges.

Artificial intelligence was at the centre of several discussions, including its use in judicial systems. Participants highlighted the need to ensure human oversight, transparency and the protection of fundamental rights, while also advocating for strong investment in the training and upskilling of professionals who will increasingly operate in environments shaped by AI-based technologies.

Another topic that attracted significant attention was the growing concern over Europe’s strategic autonomy in areas such as cloud computing, semiconductors and artificial intelligence. At the same time, discussions on online child safety highlighted the challenges associated with age-verification measures on social media platforms, particularly regarding privacy protection and the processing of minors’ personal data.

EuroDIG 2026 took place at a particularly significant moment for the future of Internet governance, providing an important forum for reflection on the challenges Europe faces amid rapid technological transformation and an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

The key messages and outcomes of this year’s edition will now be taken forward to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), which will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, in December.

Read the full report here

EuroDIG key messages are available here