Addressing challenges and best practices in online child protection at the Andorra Forum, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge underlined the importance of international collaboration: "Children may be preyed on from anywhere. Because there are no borders to cybercrime, no borders to the internet, and no borders to the immense reach of artificial intelligence, we must cooperate across borders and across disciplines to regulate, to educate and to hold accountable all who enable and perpetuate the abuse and exploitation of children."
Internationally recognised experts and organisations specialised in this field shared knowledge, experience, and best practice at the leading international event Child online protection segment dedicated to the analysis and discussion of online child protection.
Discussion focused on specific aspects of digital protection for children, such as challenges related to AI and child abuse. The event was also an occasion for dialogue enabling the identification of current challenges, the exploration of emerging trends, and the promotion of collaboration among governments, institutions, organisations and professionals committed to the safety and well-being of children in the digital environment.
In the sidelines of the forum the Deputy Secretary General had a bilateral meeting with Andorran Minister of Foreign Affairs Imma Tor. They covered a range of subjects, including ongoing efforts to ensure accountability for Ukraine, and particularly the situation of Ukrainian children. They also discussed the importance of education on citizenship and democracy in schools.
Mr Berge also met with Jarosław Ponder, Head of the ITU Europe Office, concerning enhanced cooperation on the challenges and opportunities associated with digital development.
The event was organised by the ITU Europe Office in partnership with Andorra Digital and the welcome and institutional speeches were delivered by Prime Minister and Head of Government of Andorra Xavier Espot and Jaroslaw Ponder, Head of the ITU Europe Office.
Read the Deputy Secretary General's speech in full
Council of Europe's Strategy for the rights of the child
Declaration of the committee of parties to the Lanzarote Convention
The Council of Europe and Cybercrime
Framework Convention on artificial intelligence
HUDERIA: New tool to assess the impact of AI systems on human rights
New Democratic Pact for Europe
