79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79)

The role of international cooperation in combating cyber threats was not extensively discussed in most of the General Assembly sessions. However, in the Day 4 afternoon session, Lejeune Mbella Mbella of Cameroon briefly touched on the topic. He emphasized the need to address ‘hybrid threats, as well as cyber risks.’ Mbella Mbella also stressed the importance of reforming the Security Council to ensure it can effectively address emerging security challenges. While this brief mention suggests recognition of cyber threats as a global concern, the lack of detailed discussion across the sessions indicates that this topic may not have been a primary focus of the General Assembly debates.

The topic of international cooperation and multilateralism in creating fair regulatory frameworks for rapidly evolving technologies was not extensively discussed across the General Assembly sessions. However, a few notable mentions were made:

In the Day 1 afternoon session, Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, emphasized Italy’s commitment to this issue, stating: “We want to do our part in defining a global governance for artificial intelligence capable of reconciling innovation, rights, labor, intellectual property, freedom of expression, democracy.” She also mentioned that Italy has prioritized this issue for its upcoming G7 presidency.

While not directly addressing technological frameworks, Annalena Baerbock, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, in the Day 3 afternoon session, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges. She noted: “Obviously, that alone will not immediately end all the remaining inequality for women in our own countries. In this General Assembly, we hail from all regions of the world. But none of us has reached full gender equality. And I think we can only achieve it together by learning from each other and by speaking up for women’s rights, not only in our own countries, but everywhere.”

The lack of extensive discussion on this topic in the General Assembly sessions suggests that while it is recognized as an important issue by some nations, it may not yet be a primary focus of global diplomatic discourse.

The Global Digital Compact (GDC) was mentioned by several countries during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, although detailed discussions on its role were limited. The views expressed were generally positive, emphasizing the GDC’s potential in fostering international cooperation and addressing digital challenges.

Sweden, as a co-facilitator of the GDC, highlighted its importance. Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, stated: “Together with Zambia, Sweden is proud to have co-facilitated the Global Digital Compact. Through this framework, all Member States have committed to strengthen international cooperation, to close digital divides between and within countries, and to establish the governance required for a sustainable digital world.”

Japan acknowledged the GDC’s recent adoption, with Yamazaki Kazuyuki noting: “In discussing new challenges, we must also include aspects of digital technologies, especially considering the global digital compact was just adopted at the Summit of the Future.”

Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan, viewed the GDC as a significant step forward, stating: “The adoption of the Global Digital Compact is a significant step forward, offering a pathway to close the digital divide, and the Compact contains an action-oriented set of commitments that can accelerate the implementation of the SDGs.”

France’s Emmanuel Macron expressed support for the GDC, saying: “I welcome the work that’s been done and coordinated by the Secretary General and the Global Digital Compact, which is built using the best of expertise and it enshrines this philosophy which we subscribe to totally.”

Jamaica also welcomed the adoption of the GDC, with Kamina Johnson Smith stating: “Jamaica welcomes the adoption of the Pact for the Future, the Declaration on Future Generations, and the Global Digital Compact signaled renewed hope in multilateralism.”

While these statements indicate general support for the GDC, the discussions did not delve into specific details about how different countries view its role in shaping international cooperation and digital governance. The overall sentiment appears to be positive, with countries recognizing the GDC’s potential to address digital divides and promote sustainable digital development.

The topic of creating global rules for the ethical use of AI and data was addressed by several world leaders during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, though specific steps were not extensively detailed.

Japan’s representative, Yamazaki Kazuyuki, emphasized the urgency of establishing international governance on AI, stating: “There is an urgent need to establish international governance on artificial intelligence in order to maximize the opportunities brought by AI while mitigating its risks. Japan has been working through the Hiroshima AI process to achieve safe, secure and trustworthy AI. We will continue to actively contribute to the discussions of AI at the United Nations.”

Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan, called for a dialogue on global governance in AI, saying: “We need to empower innovation in AI, whilst installing global guardrails to protect human safety, human dignity, and values. Therefore, initiating a dialogue on global governance in AI is imperative. Singapore welcomes the report of the High-Level Advisory Body on AI, and we commit to working with all UN members to further develop these recommendations.”

Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, expressed Italy’s commitment to defining global AI governance, stating: “We want to do our part in defining a global governance for artificial intelligence capable of reconciling innovation, rights, labor, intellectual property, freedom of expression, democracy.”

France’s Emmanuel Macron highlighted the need for an ethical, democratic framework for AI development, announcing: “We need to foster innovation, of course. We need to ensure that the innovation and artificial intelligence is to make sure it’s accessible to all peoples and countries of the planet, and so it doesn’t fuel more division and inequality. But we also need all of this to be developed within an ethical, democratic framework created by the peoples of the planet that is resolute.” Macron also mentioned that France will convene an Action Summit for Artificial Intelligence in February 2025 to address these issues.

While these leaders acknowledged the importance of creating global rules for the ethical use of AI and data, the discussions did not delve into specific steps or detailed proposals for implementation.

The topic of misinformation and digital technologies undermining democratic processes and public trust was not extensively discussed in most of the General Assembly sessions. However, it was briefly addressed in the Day 3 afternoon session by Elmer Schialer Salcedo, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Peru. He highlighted the dual nature of artificial intelligence, stating:

“Artificial intelligence is portrayed as something positive for our daily lives, but it has also facilitated the spread of dis- and misinformation campaigns that seek to manipulate public opinion, in particular during election campaigns, destabilizing thus our democracies.”

This statement emphasizes the potential of digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to be used for spreading disinformation and misinformation, which can manipulate public opinion and destabilize democratic processes, especially during elections.

The question of how countries can work together to ensure ethical technology development and human rights protection was touched upon in several sessions of the 79th UN General Assembly, but not extensively discussed. Key points raised include:

• Peru’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Elmer Schialer Salcedo, emphasized the collective responsibility to ensure that new technologies are developed and used while fully respecting the dignity, freedom, and rights of all people and called for clear principles and regulatory frameworks for digital governance.
• Japan’s representative, Yamazaki Kazuyuki, highlighted the transformative power of digital technologies and the importance of digital cooperation in protecting and enhancing human dignity.
• Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, expressed Italy’s commitment to defining a global governance for artificial intelligence capable of reconciling innovation, rights, labor, intellectual property, freedom of expression, and democracy.
• France’s Emmanuel Macron stressed the need for a common framework for AI governance, warning against leaving this responsibility to private actors. He mentioned France’s upcoming Action Summit for Artificial Intelligence in February 2025 as a step towards addressing these issues, stating, We cannot let some people, a few private actors who are on the cutting edge of this innovation at the moment, think about the future of this for our peoples.

While these statements acknowledge the importance of international cooperation in ethical technology development and human rights protection, they do not provide detailed strategies or concrete plans for implementation. The discussions suggest a growing awareness of the need for global governance frameworks in technology, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, but indicate that more comprehensive dialogue and action plans are still needed.

The topic of balancing rapid technological advancement with equitable distribution to avoid exacerbating inequalities was not extensively discussed in most of the General Assembly sessions. However, French President Emmanuel Macron briefly addressed this issue in the Day 2 morning session, stating:

“We need to ensure that the innovation and artificial intelligence is to make sure it’s accessible to all peoples and countries of the planet, and so it doesn’t fuel more division and inequality.”

Despite this acknowledgment of the importance of equitable access to technology, the sessions did not delve into specific strategies or detailed discussions on how nations can achieve this balance.