IPA CIS Work on AI Regulation Presented in Manila

On 11 February, the second parliamentary training course titled “Legislative and Policy Measures to Prevent and Counter the Use of Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies for Terrorism and Violent Extremism” opened in Manila. The event followed the first session held on 4 November 2025 in Amman.

The course was organized by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and the House of Representatives of the Philippines with the support of the Shura Council of Qatar and in cooperation with the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

Representatives of AIPA, Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States, African Parliamentary Union, Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Arab Parliament and other parliamentary organizations took part in the training.

Participants were welcomed by President of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines Faustino "Bojie" de Guzman Dy III

He noted that AI and related new technologies are transforming societies around the world, creating significant opportunities for innovation, governance, and economic growth. These prospects echo the theme of the Philippines' ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026 — “Navigating Our Shared Future,” which emphasizes the collective use of technology for the sustainable and promising development of the region.

At the same time, new technologies create additional vulnerabilities. Terrorist and violent extremist groups are increasingly using AI tools for propaganda, recruitment, cyberattacks, financing and operational purposes, amplifying existing threats and undermining international security.

MPs play a key role in addressing these challenges, yet many lack sufficient expertise and technical capacity to regulate new technologies effectively. Legislators and specialists — including lawyers, analysts and researchers — require targeted training and practical tools.

Participants reviewed international and regional legal frameworks, including UN Security Council resolutions, and discussed ways to engage the scientific community, the private sector and civil society in developing sustainable legislative measures. Examples of effective legislation and parliamentary practices were also examined.

These issues have previously been discussed at major international platforms, including the Fourth Parliamentary Policy Dialogue in Rome in December 2024, held jointly with the OSCE PA; a parliamentary event of the Internet Governance Forum in Riyadh in December 2024 on implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1373 in the digital sphere; and the International Conference on Legislative Regulation of Measures to Counter the Use of AI and Other New Technologies for Terrorist Activities held in Saint Petersburg in April 2025.

The IPA CIS was represented by Head of the Department for International Relations, Secretary of the IPA CIS Permanent Commission on Political Affairs and International Cooperation Maksimillian Selyutin.

During the second module of the training, “Governance Approaches and Regulatory Acts: International and Regional Legal Frameworks and Instruments,” he outlined the current state of AI legislation in the Commonwealth countries and presented the Assembly’s recommendations on AI regulation, including ethical standards for research and development.

On the sidelines of the event, a bilateral meeting took place with Secretary General of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Chem Widhya, where prospects for expanding cooperation between the organizations were discussed. It was noted that many topics — including mountain territories, environmental issues, youth parliamentarian engagement, promotion of women leaders, counterterrorism and security — are common priorities for both the IPA CIS and the ASEAN.

Another topic discussed was granting observer status at the IPA CIS to the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly. Work in this direction will continue: following an official request, the application may be considered at an upcoming meeting of the IPA CIS Permanent Commission on Political Affairs and International Cooperation.