Conference Description
Key Takeaways
- Annual gathering of privacy and data protection authorities, regulators, and professionals from around the world.
- Co-located with the IAPP Europe Congress 2026 in Brussels, November 16 to 19, 2026.
- Features both closed sessions for GPA members and open sessions for the broader privacy community.
- Focuses on emerging privacy trends, digital governance, and strategic priorities for data protection authorities.
- Supported by the European Commission, European Data Protection Board, and Belgian Data Protection Authority.
About the Global Privacy Assembly
The 48th Global Privacy Assembly Annual Conference convenes privacy and data protection authorities alongside policymakers, legal experts, and compliance professionals. Taking place in Brussels from November 16 to 19, 2026, the event runs alongside the IAPP Europe Congress 2026, creating opportunities for cross-pollination between regulatory bodies and the wider privacy profession.
The conference structure includes closed sessions reserved for GPA members, where working groups provide updates and strategic discussions shape the assembly’s future direction. Open sessions allow broader participation through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and breakout sessions addressing current challenges in privacy and data governance.
Key Topics
Sessions address privacy and data protection frameworks, digital governance models, and emerging privacy risks. The programme includes strategic planning discussions for privacy organisations and examines how regulators can align priorities across jurisdictions. Awards recognise achievements in privacy and data protection practice.
International Regulatory Context
The GPA serves as a forum for international cooperation among data protection authorities navigating divergent regulatory landscapes. With support from the European Commission, European Data Protection Board, and Belgian Data Protection Authority, the conference provides a platform for sharing enforcement approaches and harmonising best practices across borders.
Who Should Attend
The conference is designed for data protection officers, privacy professionals, regulators, policymakers, and legal and compliance experts. Senior leaders from government agencies, regulatory bodies, international organisations, and enterprises with significant data governance responsibilities will find relevant content in both the closed and open sessions.