Excellencies, distinguished delegates,

I am honoured to deliver this statement on behalf of the G77 and China.

At the outset, I would like to thank the co-chairs, H.E. Ms. Egriselda López Permanent Representative of El Salvador and H.E. Mr. Rein Tammsaar Permanent Representative of Estonia, for leading these initial informal consultations on the Global Dialogue on AI Governance.

We welcome the establishment, within the United Nations, of the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, as a platform to discuss international cooperation, share best practices and lessons learned, and to facilitate open, transparent and inclusive discussions on artificial intelligence governance with a view to enabling artificial intelligence to contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and to closing the digital divides between and within countries

The Group of 77 and China recognizes the transformative potential of artificial intelligence when deployed responsibly, inclusively, and to serve the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. If governed properly, AI could unlock new opportunities for improving public services, expanding access to education and health, enhancing digital economies, and accelerating the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. However, such benefits are contingent upon the establishment of fair and inclusive international governance frameworks that ensure equitable access, promote shared prosperity, prevent the widening of existing technological divides and enable developing countries to establish and scale their own AI capabilities, strengthen innovation ecosystems and effectively pursue their national development priorities.

The Group further underscores that global discussions on AI governance must take fully into account the needs, priorities and capacities of developing countries, and must be accompanied by adequate financing, capacity-building, and technology transfer, in particular from developed to developing countries.

In this regard, we welcome the report of the Secretary General on Innovative voluntary financing options for artificial intelligence capacity-building.

Excellencies,

The group reiterates its position and concern regarding the lack of digital infrastructure connectivity and skills, including education, expertise and human capacity, which remains a fundamental challenge in many developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, which can contribute to artificial intelligence and other digital divides, including different levels of readiness to make use of and benefit from artificial intelligence,

The Global Dialogue on AI Governance, should help enhance member states' understanding and knowledge of how AI technologies can be developed and deployed in ways that are people-centered, reliable, explainable, ethical, inclusive, responsible, respect the international law and sustainable development-oriented, and that have the potential to accelerate and enable progress towards the achievement of all 17 Sustainable Development Goals and sustainable development in its three dimensions.

The Global Dialogue should also provide a platform for meaningful and inclusive discussions and engagement on the broader implications of AI, while maintaining a strong intergovernmental foundation. This will ensure that states' priorities are central to its outcomes. Inclusivity and an intergovernmental focus should inform the format of the dialogue, its location, and its participation.

In closing, the Group reaffirms its readiness to contribute constructively to the Global Dialogue. We are committed to ensuring that AI governance evolves in a way that is inclusive, development-oriented, and aligned with the aspirations of the Global South.