Digital Governance Emphasised As A Shared Global Challenge At WGS 2026

Pedro Sánchez used the opening day of the World Governments Summit 2026 to outline strict social media reforms, during a main address attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and other UAE leaders. The Spanish Prime Minister linked digital governance, youth protection and platform accountability to the wider goals of future governments.

The World Governments Summit 2026, held under the theme ‘Shaping Future Governments’, is running over three days and draws more than 60 heads of state and government, over 500 ministers and delegations from more than 150 governments, alongside over 80 international and regional organisations, over 700 chief executive officers and more than 6,250 attendees.

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During the address, Pedro Sánchez said that during eight years as prime minister, he has "defended the same vision of the world: a vision where peace comes first, where people are at the centre of the economy, and where progress doesn’t come at the expense of the most vulnerable or the planet." He framed digital policy as central to that approach.

Sánchez then warned that global conditions have shifted. He added: "That vision has not changed in all these years, but the world has changed drastically and for the worse, not only in the physical world of economies, borders and institutions, but also in the digital world we have built."

Detailing his policy response, Sánchez announced five key actions that Spain will start implementing to reduce social media risks and better protect younger generations. The plan covers criminal liability for senior platform figures, tighter content rules, new monitoring tools, prosecution of violations and strict age-based access controls for minors under 16.

According to Sánchez, Spain will change technology legislation so platform executives can be held legally responsible when their services host illegal or hateful material, including situations where harmful content is not removed. Algorithmic manipulation and the deliberate amplification of illegal content will be defined as a specific criminal offence within Spanish law.

Spain will also roll out a hate and polarisation footprint, designed to track and quantify how major platforms spread division and promote hateful narratives. The system will rely on a new analytical tool, which Sánchez said will help authorities identify breaches and provide an evidence base for future penalties against platforms that fail to comply with rules.

Another measure will block social media access for users younger than 16, with operators required to introduce effective age verification checks. Sánchez linked this requirement to the need to shield children from addictive design, violent content, abuse and manipulation. The Spanish government will also work with the public prosecutor to investigate alleged violations by digital platforms.

World Governments Summit 2026 debate on shared digital governance

Sánchez said these policies are intended to "turn social media into the healthy and democratic space it should be." He argued that digital governance sits at the centre of "the values of good governance and balanced progress that define this unique forum." He stressed that digital governance "is a problem that no country can face alone."

Calling for a joint response, Sánchez urged leaders to rethink how technology is managed across borders. He said: "Let’s choose governance over resignation, cooperation over fragmentation, and responsibility over silence. No more pretending that technology is neutral." He added that this collective responsibility matched the global nature of threats linked with digital platforms.

Key elements of the Spanish social media plan presented at the World Governments Summit 2026 are summarised below.

Later in the address, Sánchez also pointed to recent "outstanding" macroeconomic figures for Spain. The economy grew by 2.8% in 2025, almost twice the average rate recorded across the European Union. Spain’s gross domestic product has passed $2 trillion and created almost 600,000 jobs in 2025, accounting for about half of employment growth in the EU.

World Governments Summit 2026 leadership participation and context

The main session attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid took place on the first day of the World Governments Summit 2026. The event gathers leaders to discuss models for future governance, with digital risks and regulatory responses among the highest-profile themes placed on the official agenda for this edition.

The audience for Sánchez’s speech included H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai; H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman; and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah.

Also present were H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE; H.H. Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee; H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; and Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the World Governments Summit Organisation, along with ministers and senior officials.

The discussion at the World Governments Summit 2026 positioned Spain’s proposed digital reforms as part of a wider global effort to manage technological risk. With senior UAE leadership present, the session linked platform accountability, child safety and cross-border cooperation, while also highlighting Spain’s recent economic performance and the summit’s growing role as a meeting point for governments and international organisations.

With inputs from WAM