UN calls for global solidarity in AI governance at Shanghai Summit
Date: 2025-07-29
The United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Bernardo Mariano Junior has called for equitable artificial intelligence development at the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) held in China.
Speaking to
global leaders and tech innovators, Mr. Mariano framed AI governance as a test
of international cooperation: "In an age where algorithms can shape
destinies, our solidarity must be stronger than our code." The
statement underscored the UN's focus on leveraging AI for critical global
challenges – from climate modeling to humanitarian crisis response – while
preventing new technological divides.
Preceding the
conference, Mariano visited China's Deqing County to review progress at the UN
Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Centre (UN-GGKIC). Established in
2022, the center has become a hub for spatial data solutions supporting
sustainable development goals. Discussions with local officials including
Chenli Zhang and Zhe Xu highlighted innovative applications combining
geospatial intelligence with AI for disaster prediction and resource
management.
This year's
WAIC comes as international consensus grows on the need for inclusive AI
governance. The UN's participation reinforces its role in bridging
technological and geopolitical divides, ensuring emerging AI systems align with
universal human rights principles and the Sustainable Development Goals.
