International

Congress Session Covers Ukraine Reconstruction, Georgia Local Democracy

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will hold its 50th session from March 31 to April 2, 2026. The agenda includes discussions on Ukraine's reconstruction, local democracy in Georgia, social rights, and the European Charter of Local Self-Government.

European Court of Human Rights Rulings Implementation Report

The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers reported that 949 European Court of Human Rights cases were closed in 2025, an increase from the previous year. While progress was noted across many member states, significant challenges remain, including the complexity of incoming cases and over 500 leading cases pending for more than five years.

Ukraine Entrepreneurs Can Claim Damages for Russia's Aggression

The Council of Europe's Register of Damage for Ukraine has introduced a new claim category (A3.5) for individual entrepreneurs in Ukraine whose profits were negatively affected by Russia's aggression on or after February 24, 2022. Over 130,000 claims have already been filed with the Register, which is a component of a future international compensation mechanism.

Child-Friendly Justice Assessment Tool Launched

The Council of Europe and the European Union have launched a new child-friendly justice assessment tool to help protect children involved in legal proceedings. Pilot countries Belgium, Poland, and Slovenia have shared their experiences using the tool to adapt justice systems to the needs of children.

India's DPDPA Faces Legal Challenges and AI Risks

India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) is facing legal challenges, including petitions to the Supreme Court and Kerala High Court concerning fundamental rights, data breach compensation, and state exemptions. The government also outlined legal safeguards for AI risks, referencing existing acts and new guidelines.

US State Data Breach Notification Laws Resource Updated

The IAPP has updated its resource chart detailing US state data breach notification laws. The update highlights variations in definitions of personal information and coverage, noting that while all states have such laws, they often define 'personal information' more narrowly than comprehensive privacy laws and primarily focus on data relevant to identity theft and financial fraud.

EU Digital Omnibus, CSAM detection, AI Act, ICO guidance updates

The IAPP Privacy News reports on developments in the EU Digital Omnibus on AI, with interinstitutional negotiations underway and a potential June vote. Discussions on the data counterpart, the Digital Omnibus, are ongoing, facing criticism regarding cybersecurity incident reporting. The temporary derogation for voluntary CSAM detection will not be extended, creating a potential legal vacuum.

BIS Markets Committee Chair Term Extended

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) announced that John C. Williams will continue as Chair of the BIS Markets Committee for a second three-year term. Mr. Williams, who also serves as President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, was first appointed to this role in January 2023.

14th WTO Ministerial Conference Opens Amidst Global Crisis

The WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) has opened in Yaoundé, Cameroon, with calls to reinvigorate the organization amidst global trade disruptions. Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala expressed hope that ministers would find political will to address challenges and advance key agenda items, including the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement.

UK Donates CHF 1.56 Million to WTO Development Programmes

The United Kingdom has donated approximately CHF 1.56 million to the WTO's Global Trust Fund and the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF). This contribution aims to enhance the capacity of developing economies to participate in the multilateral trading system and improve food safety and animal/plant health for safe trade.