EU Statement -- UN General Assembly: Terms of reference and modalities for the establishment and functioning of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance

Excellencies, Co-facilitators, dear colleagues,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Serbia^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Georgia as well as Armenia, Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

Let me first thank the Permanent Representatives of Spain and Costa Rica, who spared no efforts as co-facilitators to get us here today. The process was tougher than expected, and although we are not entirely satisfied with the final text, the EU is pleased to be able to join consensus today, as we send a strong signal to the world. We are, collectively, demonstrating that the UN remains relevant and able to address the evolving technology landscape, which already has an immense impact on our societies and human rights.

Dear colleagues,

The Global Digital Compact is based on the overarching principle that technology should benefit everyone. Today we establish an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and initiate a global dialogue on AI governance within the United Nations. We are delivering on our promise to take action to promote scientific understanding of AI, and to ensure inclusive multi-stakeholder discussion on AI at the UN.

Since the beginning, the EU’s priority has always been to ensure the scientific independence of the Panel on the one hand, and the multi-stakeholder nature of the Global Dialogue on the other hand, to allow tailored exchanges that will help us make progress on AI governance year after year, building on the expertise and knowledge of all stakeholders. 

These two mechanisms will contribute to building the UN membership’s capacity on AI by fostering shared knowledge, common understanding, and pooled experiences, equally benefiting all stakeholders, particularly from developing countries.

Colleagues,

We look forward to seeing the Panel and Dialogue up and running, and are confident they will quickly become valuable tools to continue advancing discussions on AI at the UN.

Thank you.
 

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.