The Association of Professionals of Institutional Relations (APRI), and the Public Affairs Community of Europe (PACE) have celebrated this Thursday in the Senate the 'European Public Affairs Conference 2026', a meeting focused on the main challenges of lobbying and public affairs in Europe, as well as the role of transparency, integrity, and professionalization in public-private dialogue.
The event, framed within the Open Administration Week, brought together 180 institutional representatives, European experts, and sector professionals to debate regulation, transparency, integrity, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the profession.
The inaugural session was attended by Senator José Antonio Valbuena (PSOE), Deputy Eugenia Carballedo (PP), PACE President Laura Florea, and APRI Vice President Irene Matías.
The speakers emphasized the importance of strengthening transparency and professionalization in the dialogue between the public and private sectors in Europe.
Debate on stakeholders: academia, media, and consulting
The panel "Stakeholders' Insights: Challenges for Public Affairs Professionals" featured María Benito, Research Talent Lead at Sarah Marlex; Luis Bouza, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Law at the Autonomous University of Madrid and director of the Public Affairs Diploma at the aforementioned center; Juan Herrero, member of the APRI Board of Directors; and David Córdova, editor-in-chief of Demócrata.
"[Public Affairs] is a professional activity, not corruption. The role of the media is to explain the difference, report bad practices, and highlight those who do it well. The right to participate is a fundamental right, not a privilege," stated the president of this media outlet during the debate.
In the same vein, the speakers agreed on the need to strengthen specialized training, promote the professionalization of the sector, and adapt to the impact of digitalization and artificial intelligence.
They also highlighted the importance of critical thinking and reinforcing the social legitimacy of public affairs through greater transparency and regulation.
Lobbying Regulation in Europe, an Expanding Model
One of the central panels of the meeting addressed the evolution of public affairs regulation in different European countries, with the participation of representatives from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Romania, and Spain, in addition to attendees from Belgium, Austria, Poland, France, and the Netherlands.
During the debate, a clear trend towards sector regulation in Europe was noted, highlighting the case of Portugal as the latest country to approve specific legislation on public-private dialogue.
In this context, it was pointed out that Spain continues to be one of the few European states without specific lobby regulation.
Artificial intelligence and the transformation of public affairs
The conference also analyzed the impact of artificial intelligence on the profession in the session "New Public Affairs Professional Horizons in AI", with the participation of Enrique Marcos, Senior Manager at Spaak Technologies, and Susana Garayoa, coordinator of APRI Brussels.
Both experts highlighted the role of AI in transforming regulatory analysis, information monitoring, and stakeholder management, as well as its potential to reduce errors and reinforce the strategic dimension of the profession.
Snapshot of the public affairs sector in Spain
Another key session was the presentation of the Snapshot of the Public Affairs Sector in Spain, by professor Ángel Arrese, professor Natalia Rodríguez, and Aimée Jiménez, coordinator of the APRI Forum of Organizations.
The study concludes that the sector shows a high degree of professionalization, with 90% of professionals holding postgraduate degrees, and a consolidation of the strategic function of public affairs.
Furthermore, 94% of professionals believe that this activity improves the quality of public policies, although concern persists regarding the social perception of lobbying and the need to enhance transparency.
Europe facing a complex geopolitical scenario
The keynote conference "Europe's Geopolitical and Economic Moment" was delivered by Charles Powell, director of the Real Instituto Elcano, in conversation with Jorge Aliende, director general of APRI.
Powell has analyzed Europe's strategic challenges in security, defense, and economy in an international context marked by Russia's pressure and dependence on the United States for security.
The director of the Real Instituto Elcano has defended the need for the European Union to make structural decisions, even if they are unpopular, to maintain its global position.
Closing and General Assembly of PACE
With this conference, APRI and PACE have reaffirmed their commitment to the professionalization of the sector, transparency, and the promotion of lobby regulation based on legal certainty.
After the public session in the Senate, the national associations held the General Assembly of PACE in Madrid, where they thanked APRI for its role as host in 2026.
About the organizations
APRI
APRI brings together public affairs and institutional relations professionals in Spain, with more than 300 members and 30 organizations, and promotes ethics, transparency, and the professionalization of the sector.
PACE
PACE brings together European public affairs associations to promote good practices, international cooperation, and common standards in the profession.