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Why this platform, why now
AI is already being regulated – through national regulations, technical standards, procurement frameworks and bilateral agreements – but unevenly. Governance frameworks were predominantly designed by countries with advanced AI sectors, while the countries most exposed to the consequences of AI had the least say in shaping these frameworks.
The AI dialogue corrects this imbalance. On behalf of the UN General Assembly, each government receives the same seat. Developing countries and the global south have every right to participate in shaping the results – not as observers.
>> Follow the global dialogue July 6th And July 7th from a distance
“The credibility of this first global dialogue was built through an open and participatory process that continues here in Geneva. Our collective success will be determined by every voice, perspective, experience and contribution that shapes the path forward for AI,” said Egriselda López, Permanent Representative of El Salvador to the United Nations and Co-Chair of the Dialogue.
Rein Tammsaar, Co-Chair and Permanent Representative of Estonia to the United Nations, said: “We must begin with the convening power of the United Nations to transform artificial intelligence into a global public good that benefits all humanity while ensuring security through design and meaningful human oversight. For this to happen, the first global dialogue on AI governance in Geneva should trigger AI’s San Francisco moment.”
>>See this full program And List of featured participants here.
Six months of global consultations
Since January 2026, structured global consultations have been taking place in thematic, regional and virtual formats, involving governments, civil society, the private sector, academia and the technical community. More than 1,500 written submissions were received from organizations and individuals across all regional groups.
The outcome of the written submissions showed different priorities between groups: for example, governments were the only stakeholder group that prioritized capacity building. Most other groups put safety first. Other high priority issues include transparency, accountability and human control, as well as social, economic, ethical, cultural and linguistic impacts. A consensus in the consultations is that participants want to see continuity in this process: more than five hundred submissions called for the process to continue beyond July.
The dialogue takes place a week later the independent international scientific body for artificial intelligence released its preliminary report, providing the governments meeting there with a common evidence base on which to build their policies. The panel, made up of independent scientists and experts from all regions, outlines trends in AI and warns that current protections cannot keep pace with the growth of AI capabilities.
The body consists of 40 members who serve in personal capacities independent of governments, companies or institutions, including the United Nations. Members were selected from more than 2,600 candidates through an open call and independent review process. The committee is chaired jointly Joshua Bengio (Canada) and Maria Ressa (Philippines).
https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/un-global-dialogue-opens-urgent-call-safe-and-inclusive-ai-benefits-all
