COcyber at Digital Sovereignty in Evolving Times
At the GLACIATION event focusing on digital sovereignty, held on April 3rd, 2025, in Zurich, COcyber joined policymakers, researchers, technologists, and legal experts to discuss how Europe can maintain control over its digital environment while respecting privacy, sustainability, and innovation.
Maria Chiara Zaccaria from our partner The Lisbon Council delivered a keynote on behalf of the COcyber project titled "Trust in a Digital Europe." She addressed the growing overlap between civilian and military domains in cyberspace and reflected on the challenges this brings to the legal and ethical frameworks in Europe. Her intervention underlined the importance of building trust and maintaining a strong European approach to digital governance.
The morning keynote speeches explored resilience, digital sovereignty, and the impact of new technologies. Discussions addressed how Europe must strengthen its digital foundations in a time of uncertainty, how sovereignty efforts are inseparable from climate goals, and how new technical approaches such as AI transparency and mobility data tools can support autonomy. Speakers highlighted the need for Europe to move beyond fragmented policies and embrace strategies that connect digital governance, environmental responsibility, and innovation.
The afternoon panel discussion, moderated by Mpampis Chatzimillas, focused more closely on the legal and ethical dimensions. Topics included the role of GDPR as a pillar of European sovereignty, the dangers posed by national security exemptions, and the tensions between privacy, innovation, and public interest. The debate underlined the need for stable legal frameworks that can withstand geopolitical pressure while protecting European values.
The event closed with a wrap-up and a networking session, giving participants the chance to exchange ideas and explore ongoing research.
About GLACIATION
GLACIATION is a European project developing a novel, holistic cloud-edge framework to support the secure, sustainable, and efficient management of data in dynamic and challenging environments. It aims to enhance European digital sovereignty by optimising data processing and reducing environmental impact through innovative AI and metadata technologies.
Watch the full event recording HERE