From 20 to 24 April 2026, the CNPD took part in the Privacy and Data Governance Symposium, held in Venice. This leading international event brought together data protection authorities, public institutions, researchers and professionals to discuss major developments in data governance, regulation and emerging technologies.
High-level contributions throughout the week
CNPD officials contributed to numerous plenary sessions, round-table discussions and workshops, covering key topics such as digital governance, regulatory innovation, GDPR certification, cross-border enforcement, the financial risks associated with non-compliance, as well as challenges relating to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
Alain Herrmann notably took part in a discussion on the creation of an International Observatory on Digital Governance and chaired several panels on regulatory innovation and certification mechanisms, as well as delivering a presentation on the role of DPOs in AI governance. Elena-Cristina Gerth spoke as a panellist and moderator during several sessions dedicated to GDPR certification, value creation through compliance, and lessons learnt from the implementation of certification mechanisms.
At the end of the week, Jérôme Commodi moderated a session on privacy-enhancing technologies developed by supervisory authorities, whilst Cédrine Morlière spoke on a panel discussing cyber threats and geopolitical challenges.
A stronger presence among participants
In addition to its contributions during the sessions, the CNPD also co-organised two stands in the exhibition area, dedicated to regulatory compliance tools developed by data protection authorities and to GDPR certification. These stands facilitated practical discussions with public and private sector stakeholders, as well as with data protection professionals. Daily ‘meet sessions’ were also organised to encourage direct and informal dialogue with the CNPD teams.
The Symposium also provided a valuable opportunity for dialogue with peers from around the world, extending beyond the European context. These informal exchanges facilitated the sharing of experiences, the comparison of different regulatory approaches and the strengthening of international cooperation, within an environment conducive to open and constructive discussions.