Excellencies, distinguished delegates,

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

At the outset, we welcome the Secretary-General's recommendation contained in document A/80/619 for the appointment of the members of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence for a three-year term.

The Group has always emphasized that the selection process for the Independent Panel should be transparent, inclusive, and merit-based, while ensuring regional and academic diversity.
In that sense, the Group recognizes the Secretary General's efforts to ensure broad geographical representation among the recommended experts.

The Group reiterates that the Independent Panel must be a multidisciplinary, evidence-based, and representative body that provides policy-relevant scientific assessments on the risks, opportunities, and governance of artificial intelligence, as well as impartial and evidence-based advice aimed at ensuring fair, equitable, enabling, and inclusive access to AI.

Developing countries must be empowered to benefit from such impartial scientific guidance in order to foster technological autonomy, seize opportunities, manage risks, bridge capacity gaps, and design national policies that are knowledge-driven and equitable.

Throughout this process, we have consistently underscored the urgent need for comprehensive international frameworks that guarantee the full inclusion of developing countries in shaping the future of AI governance. These frameworks must uphold the principles of national sovereignty, equity, and transparency.

To ensure that no country is left behind, cooperation must prioritize capacity-building, affordable and sustainable financing, technology transfer, fair, inclusive and equitable data governance and access to data, and the strengthening of South-South and triangular cooperation. These efforts should both accelerate innovation and help narrow digital and developmental divides. 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.

The Group reaffirms that the Independent Panel should align with existing UN initiatives, through coordinated efforts, ensuring coherence, systematic capacity-building, and global AI governance alignment. The Independent Panel should also be linked to the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, with the Panel's findings informing the policy discussions of the Dialogue.

To conclude, the Group expresses its support to the recommendation as presented by the Secretary General on document A/80/619 and regrets that a vote has been called on such an important matter.

The Group of 77 and China reaffirms its commitment to ensuring a fair, inclusive, transparent, and equitable approach to AI governance. The success of these efforts will depend on fostering international cooperation, ensuring equitable access, promoting shared prosperity, bridging and preventing the widening of existing digital divides, and ensuring that AI serves as a tool for sustainable development for all.

I thank you.