Artificial intelligence (AI) and data protection are gaining importance in the Southern Mediterranean as digitalisation reshapes public services, economic development and migration management. Yet legal, institutional and technical gaps increase the risk of misuse, including privacy violations and algorithmic discrimination. Strengthening AI and data protection governance frameworks has the potential to build trust, support secure cross-border data flows and attract investment.

The Council of Europe Conventions 108 and 108+ and the Framework Convention on AI enshrine international standards on data protection and AI with a unique global reach. Based on this expertise, the action will focus on:

• Aligning national normative data protection and AI governance frameworks with international standards through targeted technical and legislative expertise that address the requests and priority needs of partner authorities in the region.
• Strengthening oversight and enforcement mechanisms in the region, including by supporting authorities and institutions responsible for data protection and AI governance.
• Fostering international cooperation by facilitating peer-to-peer exchanges and cooperation between the Southern Mediterranean partners and the Consultative Committee of the Convention 108 on data protection (T-PD) and the Steering Committee for New and Emerging Digital Technologies (CDNET) of the Council of Europe.

Enhancing technical skills and capacities to carry out risk and impact assessments for data protection and AI from the perspective of human rights, rule of law and democracy, including by using the HUDERIA methodology.