More than 60 countries call for stronger international cooperation, inclusive AI governance, infrastructure development and protection of human rights
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) have issued a joint international statement following a closed ministerial meeting held in Riyadh as part of the Fourth UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The forum, hosted by Saudi Arabia from September 14 to 17, 2026, brought together more than 60 ministers and international representatives from around the world to discuss the opportunities and challenges arising from the rapid development and deployment of artificial intelligence.
The meeting was co-chaired by President of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) and Chairman of the ICAIRE Board Dr. Abdullah Alghamdi, representing Saudi Arabia, and UNESCO Deputy Director-General Åsa Regnér.
Dr. Alghamdi welcomed participants to the forum and commended the constructive cooperation between Saudi Arabia and UNESCO across various fields, particularly artificial intelligence, which he described as a rapidly evolving sector driven by global technological advancement.
According to the joint statement, ministers and senior officials representing 60 countries held substantive discussions on the opportunities and challenges presented by AI.
Participants underscored the need to strengthen international cooperation to ensure that the development, deployment and use of AI contribute to human well-being, sustainable development and the public good.
They reaffirmed the importance of continuing to be guided by the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted in 2021, as a global normative framework providing a common foundation for the ethical, safe, inclusive and sustainable development, deployment and use of AI.
Participants commended UNESCO’s leadership in AI governance and encouraged the organization to further assist member states in developing national strategies informed by its frameworks, while taking into account differing national contexts, capacities, and cultural and linguistic diversity.
The statement emphasized the importance of international cooperation, intercultural dialogue and mutual learning amid rapid technological advancement and an increasingly complex global environment.
Participants highlighted the role of multilateral cooperation in building trust and ensuring inclusive participation in the development and governance of AI technologies, with the active involvement of women and youth.
They also stressed the need to address the requirements of developing countries, particularly in Africa, and to bridge gaps in access to AI capabilities and infrastructure.
The participants identified infrastructure, institutional capacity, skills development and knowledge sharing as fundamental pillars for ensuring the safe and ethical use of AI.
They called for stronger cooperation among governments, international organizations, academia, the private sector and civil society to address AI-related challenges that transcend national borders.
The meeting co-chairs welcomed the spirit of dialogue and cooperation that characterized the ministerial discussions and called on member states and all stakeholders to strengthen implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.
They emphasized the importance of international cooperation to develop and deploy AI in an ethical, safe and sustainable manner, while safeguarding cultural and linguistic diversity and respecting national priorities and contexts.
The statement also called for greater dialogue and knowledge-sharing among diverse stakeholders to ensure broad access to the benefits of AI, promote responsible innovation and address potential risks in ways that uphold human rights and dignity.
Participants further highlighted the importance of promoting AI literacy, empowering children and youth, facilitating their participation in AI governance, and protecting their rights and safety in the digital environment.
