THE Philippines is hosting the 52nd Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (Appa) Forum in Cebu with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) taking the lead.

Privacy commissioners from the region and guest representatives from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are expected to converge for the main event at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa from Dec. 2 to 3, 2019.

During the formal sessions, members and invited guests will meet in closed-door sessions to discuss best practices, build partnerships, share information on emerging technology and trends, as well as explore new policy directions across the region.

Other activities in the agenda include the discussion of jurisdictional reports from each delegation, conduct of roundtable dialogues, exchange of views on the challenges linked with international data transfer and the cross-border enforcement of privacy laws across Asia Pacific.

“Since its founding in 1992, the Appa has inspired alliances among authorities in the region, paving the way for establishing cooperative arrangements that push for data subject protection. At the 52nd Appa Forum in Cebu City, Philippines, we keep to this cherished tradition of judicious discourse and communal action as we jointly address new and emerging privacy challenges that are continually prompted by technological advances,” said Privacy Commissioner Raymund Enriquez Liboro.

This will be the first time for the Philippines to host Appa, acknowledged as the principal forum for privacy and data protection authorities in the Asia Pacific region, aimed at facilitating partnerships and the exchange of ideas on privacy regulation. (PR)