Session
Organizer 1: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 1: Christian REIMSBACH-KOUNATZE, Intergovernmental Organization, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Regina Lee, Private Sector, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Remi Letemple, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Viivi Lähteenoja, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Regina Lee, Private Sector, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Remi Letemple, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Viivi Lähteenoja, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The roundtable is well suited to an interactive discussion prompted by the preliminary presentations in this session. We expect a significant attendance and will implement a format to facilitate unexpected contributions and engagement from a variety of stakeholders. We expect that 60 minutes is the necessary amount of time to initiate a provocative discussion that can be continued subsequently in bilateral and small group discussions.
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The roundtable is well suited to an interactive discussion prompted by the preliminary presentations in this session. We expect a significant attendance and will implement a format to facilitate unexpected contributions and engagement from a variety of stakeholders. We expect that 60 minutes is the necessary amount of time to initiate a provocative discussion that can be continued subsequently in bilateral and small group discussions.
Policy Question(s)
A. How can federated architectures designed for personal data sovereignty contribute to national and regional strategic autonomy in an increasingly digital and interconnected global market?
B. How can initiatives to strengthen regional cloud services be aligned with initiatives to strengthen personal digital sovereignty?
C. What policy mechanisms can balance individuals' control over their data with the need for secure and efficient cross-border data flows?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will gain a nuanced understanding of how personal data sovereignty can serve as a lever for enhancing strategic autonomy at both national and regional levels. The session will present concrete examples of emerging technologies—such as federated data infrastructures, trusted data intermediaries, and privacy-enhancing technologies—that empower individuals to control their data while supporting broader digital sovereignty objectives. Attendees will benefit from diverse perspectives, including insights from policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and civil society representatives from different regions, highlighting varied approaches and challenges. The interactive format will encourage exchange of ideas on aligning individual rights with geopolitical resilience, equipping participants with fresh policy insights and potential strategies adaptable to their local contexts. Ultimately, attendees will leave with actionable knowledge on how personal data governance can strengthen digital sovereignty, mitigate geopolitical risks, and foster a more open, secure, and equitable global digital ecosystem.
Description:
Digital sovereignty has become a critical geopolitical concern, as nations seek to reduce dependencies on foreign technology providers and assert greater control over their digital ecosystems. This workshop will explore how digital infrastructure for personal data sovereignty might strengthen strategic autonomy at national and regional levels. While some of the most prominent discussions of digital sovereignty take place in the context of European strategic autonomy and the Euro stack, these issues are relevant for all regions, countries, and participants in the global data economy. There is a pressing need to examine how individual control over personal data intersects with national and regional autonomy in the global digital market. To explore the potential contributions of personal data sovereignty, this workshop will begin with a presentation of concrete technological platforms and use cases for enabling individuals to take greater control over the storage, sharing, and monetization of data about them. These use cases will then be contextualized in the context of global trends in trusted data intermediary services and privacy-enhancing technologies. These presentations will support an open discussion with workshop participants on the structural and technological links between personal and geopolitical data sovereignty. The workshop will close with public sector perspectives on next steps in regulation and coordination.
Digital sovereignty has become a critical geopolitical concern, as nations seek to reduce dependencies on foreign technology providers and assert greater control over their digital ecosystems. This workshop will explore how digital infrastructure for personal data sovereignty might strengthen strategic autonomy at national and regional levels. While some of the most prominent discussions of digital sovereignty take place in the context of European strategic autonomy and the Euro stack, these issues are relevant for all regions, countries, and participants in the global data economy. There is a pressing need to examine how individual control over personal data intersects with national and regional autonomy in the global digital market. To explore the potential contributions of personal data sovereignty, this workshop will begin with a presentation of concrete technological platforms and use cases for enabling individuals to take greater control over the storage, sharing, and monetization of data about them. These use cases will then be contextualized in the context of global trends in trusted data intermediary services and privacy-enhancing technologies. These presentations will support an open discussion with workshop participants on the structural and technological links between personal and geopolitical data sovereignty. The workshop will close with public sector perspectives on next steps in regulation and coordination.
Expected Outcomes
The session aims to surface new perspectives and draw preliminary connections between personal data sovereignty and broader strategic autonomy objectives. Expected outcomes include identifying emerging technologies, governance models, and use cases that support individual control over personal data, while highlighting how these might inform regional digital sovereignty strategies. The workshop will provide inputs to support policymakers and regulators at national and regional levels as they seek tools and mechanisms to strengthen digital sovereignty. A brief summary of key insights and discussion highlights will be shared post-session to facilitate further dialogue and collaboration. By fostering diverse viewpoints and cross-regional exchanges, the session will contribute to ongoing conversations about aligning personal data governance with strategic autonomy goals.
Hybrid Format: The session will be designed to ensure seamless interaction between onsite and online participants. Both onsite and remote speakers will have equal speaking opportunities, supported by dedicated moderators monitoring both audiences. We will use live chat and Q&A features to capture input from online attendees in real-time, ensuring their questions and comments are integrated into the discussion. To foster continuous engagement, we plan to use complementary tools such as Slido or Mentimeter for live polls and audience feedback, accessible to all participants. Additionally, breakout discussions or smaller interactive segments will be facilitated to encourage contributions from diverse voices. Clear communication protocols and a pre-session briefing for all speakers will ensure smooth transitions between onsite and online interventions. Our aim is to create an inclusive, dynamic environment that values contributions equally, regardless of participants' location.