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UN DESA launches AI governance workshop for Africa and Asia-Pacific officials

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) is organising a capacity-building workshop in Hangzhou, China, focused on AI governance and digital transformation for senior government officials from Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.

The activity is part of the project ‘Strengthening AI Capabilities and Governance for Sustainable Digital Transformation in Africa and Asia-Pacific’, implemented in partnership with the Government of China. The programme includes a five-day study tour examining policy, institutional, and technical approaches to AI governance and adoption.

According to the concept note, the initiative responds to gaps in national AI governance frameworks and implementation capacity in many countries. The programme references findings from the UN E-Government Survey 2024 and OECD data concerning AI regulation and national AI strategies.

The programme will draw on the UN E-Government Survey 2024 and its AI Addendum, as well as China’s experience in using AI to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, poverty reduction, and inclusive growth.

Participants are expected to review AI governance structures, regulatory frameworks, and institutional coordination mechanisms. The agenda also includes briefings with relevant ministries or AI bodies, as well as visits to AI coordination or digital transformation institutions.

The agenda includes discussions on international cooperation, regulatory interoperability, public-private collaboration, and AI-related opportunities for small businesses.

According to the concept note, the workshop aims to strengthen institutional understanding of AI governance and support integration of digital policies into national development strategies. Participation is by invitation only and limited to around 20 attendees.

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Ghana launches WHO-UNDP programme on AI-driven health system resilience

Ghana has launched an AI-driven health programme aimed at strengthening its healthcare system, improving resilience and protecting vulnerable communities.

The initiative is a joint programme by the World Health Organization and the UN Development Programme, funded by the Government of Japan through the UN Trust Fund for Human Security. It is being implemented in collaboration with Ghana’s Ministry of Health.

The programme focuses on integrating AI into Ghana’s health systems in an ethical, inclusive and people-centred way. It aims to strengthen AI governance, protect health data, build institutional and workforce capacity, and expand digital literacy among healthcare workers and communities.

A key component includes the deployment of AI-enabled early warning systems for climate-sensitive diseases, integrated into national platforms such as DHIS2. The programme will also support responsible private-sector engagement in digital health.

Speaking at the launch, WHO Representative to Ghana said the programme would strengthen the country’s digital health ecosystem by advancing AI governance, safeguarding health data and preparing a workforce able to deliver people-centred care.

UNDP Resident Representative Niloy Bernejee said strengthening health systems and responsible digital innovation could reinforce stability, build resilience and support sustainable development.

The initiative is grounded in a human security approach, focusing on protecting and empowering vulnerable and marginalised populations while improving equitable access to digital health solutions.

Why does it matter?

The programme shows how AI is being integrated into health systems not only as a technical tool, but as part of broader governance, resilience and equity planning. By combining early warning systems for climate-sensitive diseases with data protection, workforce training and digital literacy, Ghana is addressing both immediate healthcare needs and longer-term capacity gaps in responsible digital health.

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UN-organised event to address challenges in government AI capacity-building

A side event during the 11th Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs will examine how governments can strengthen internal AI capacity as AI becomes more central to public administration, regulation, and digital development.

The event is being organised by UNU-CPR, UNU-CRIS, UNDP, and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, with support from Japan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Organisers said governments are facing a dual challenge of regulating AI systems while building internal expertise to understand, manage, and deploy them in the public interest.

The concept note says countries are increasingly creating dedicated AI units, appointing Chief AI Officers, and embedding technical experts in ministries and regulatory bodies, while disparities in access to resources and expertise continue to shape how capacity-building develops across regions.

The event will also address concerns about AI security and misuse of technology. Organisers highlighted risks including misinformation, cyber-enabled manipulation, and automated disinformation campaigns, and said that countries with more limited institutional and technical capacity may face disproportionate exposure.

The discussion is intended to contribute to wider debates on responsible and inclusive AI governance under the Global Digital Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals by identifying institutional models, lessons learned, and opportunities for cross-regional cooperation on building government AI capacity.

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United Nations warns AI-driven advertising could deepen information crisis

The United Nations has warned that the rapid adoption of AI in advertising could deepen a global information integrity crisis. With worldwide advertising spending now exceeding $1 trillion annually, concerns are growing over how automated systems influence what users see, trust, and engage with online.

A briefing by the Department of Global Communications and the Conscious Advertising Network places advertising at the centre of the digital information ecosystem. It argues that advertising helps fund and shape the systems that influence what people see and believe, while AI-driven tools are increasingly being used in media buying and content generation in ways that can amplify disinformation, hate speech, and opaque decision-making.

Transparency gaps in AI advertising systems are also raising concerns over fraud, inefficiency, and declining trust in digital platforms. The report warns that these pressures can weaken independent journalism and reduce advertising effectiveness as confidence in online environments continues to erode.

UN officials and industry representatives are calling for stronger governance, clearer oversight of AI supply chains, and closer cooperation between regulators, advertisers, and civil society. The core message is that without stronger guardrails, AI may accelerate the breakdown of information ecosystem integrity rather than simply improve commercial performance.

Why does it matter?

AI is becoming embedded in systems that shape the online flow of information, which means advertising is no longer only a commercial mechanism but also a force affecting public perception and trust. As automation expands without clear oversight, risks can spread beyond brand safety into disinformation, media sustainability, and democratic discourse.

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AI governance debate intensifies amid rapid global expansion

Growing concerns over the pace of AI development have prompted renewed calls for stronger regulatory oversight. Geoffrey Hinton, an AI pioneer and Nobel laureate often referred to as the ‘godfather of AI’, has warned that current systems are advancing without adequate control mechanisms.

Speaking at a United Nations-supported conference, he cautioned that the absence of effective safeguards could expose societies to significant systemic risks.

International policy discussions have intensified alongside the rapid expansion of the sector. Estimates from UNCTAD indicate that the global AI market could increase from $189 billion in 2023 to $4.8 trillion by 2033.

Despite this growth trajectory, the capacity to develop and govern such technologies remains concentrated within a limited number of jurisdictions and corporate actors. Distributional disparities continue to shape the global AI landscape.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, highlighted that adoption rates in developed economies significantly outpace those in developing regions. She warned, ‘Left unaddressed, this is a second great divergence – widening the gap between countries shaping artificial intelligence and those merely consuming it’.

Structural gaps in infrastructure, investment, and technical expertise remain central to this imbalance.

Ongoing UN processes are seeking to establish a more coherent governance framework grounded in scientific evidence and multilateral cooperation.

Maria Ressa, a journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, cautioned that increasingly sophisticated AI systems may facilitate ‘narrative warfare‘, contributing to institutional erosion and the spread of disinformation.

Findings from the UN’s scientific panel are expected to inform upcoming global discussions aimed at advancing transparent, accountable, and rights-based AI governance.

Why does it matter?

The pace and concentration of AI development are beginning to shape economic power, information ecosystems, and institutional stability at a global scale.

Without coordinated governance, the widening gap between advanced and developing economies risks reinforcing inequality, while misuse of AI systems may weaken trust in democratic processes through disinformation and opaque decision-making.

At the same time, the absence of shared regulatory standards increases systemic uncertainty for governments, businesses, and citizens as AI becomes embedded in essential sectors such as labour markets, education, and public services.

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Global cyber stability conference set for May 2026 in Geneva

The Cyber Stability Conference 2026 will take place on 4–5 May at the Centre International de Conférences Genève in Geneva, bringing together global stakeholders to discuss the future of ICT security and cyber governance.

Organised by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, the event will run in a hybrid format during Geneva Cyber Week.

The conference comes amid growing international efforts to strengthen frameworks for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace and improve coordination on digital security challenges. It is positioned within a broader push to adapt governance systems to rapid technological change.

Discussions will focus on how cyber governance can respond to emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing. Emphasis will be placed on aligning regulatory and security approaches with technological development to reinforce international stability.

Participants from government, academia, industry, and civil society will review past lessons, assess current risks, and explore future pathways for global ICT security governance.

Cyber stability is becoming a core pillar of global security as digital infrastructure underpins economies, governance systems, and critical services. Stronger coordination on cyber governance is essential to reducing systemic risks and ensuring technological progress does not outpace security frameworks.

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UN Global Mechanism on ICT security discusses procedures, debates co-facilitator appointments

The United Nations Global Mechanism on developments in the field of ICTs in the context of international security and advancing responsible state behaviour in the use of ICTs held its third organisational meeting, focusing on operational arrangements for the newly established permanent forum.

The session, chaired by Ambassador Egriselda López of El Salvador, addressed decision-making procedures, meeting schedules for 2026, and the structure of two dedicated thematic groups (DTGs), which will complement plenary sessions.

Delegations discussed the mechanism’s working methods, with López noting that decisions would be taken by consensus in line with UN General Assembly rules of procedure.

A central point of discussion was the appointment of co-facilitators for the two DTGs, one focusing on ICT security challenges and the other on capacity development. López indicated that she intended to appoint co-facilitators, taking into account geographic balance.

Several delegations, including the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, China, and Belarus, said that such appointments should be agreed upon by consensus among member states. Other delegations, including the European Union, the United States, and Australia, expressed support for the Chair’s approach and emphasised the need to proceed with preparations for substantive work.

Delegations also addressed stakeholder participation, noting that non-governmental organisations, the private sector, and academia would contribute in a consultative manner, while decision-making would remain intergovernmental.

The provisional agenda for future substantive plenary sessions was discussed, with some delegations, including Iran and the Russian Federation, requesting adjustments to ensure alignment with the agreed mandate. Other delegations supported the structure proposed by the Chair, which is organised around the five pillars of the framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace.

The meeting concluded without agreement on the provisional agenda or the appointment of co-facilitators. The Chair said she would conduct informal consultations with member states to address outstanding issues ahead of the first substantive plenary session scheduled for July 2026.

The Global Mechanism is mandated to advance discussions on threats, norms and principles, the application of international law, confidence-building measures, and capacity development, as part of its role as a permanent UN forum on ICT security.

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UN Global Mechanism on ICT security advances work, shifts focus to implementation

The United Nations Global Mechanism on developments in the field of ICTs in the context of international security and advancing responsible state behaviour in the use of ICTs held its second meeting, during which member states conducted a general exchange of views on the work of the newly established permanent forum.

The session, chaired by Ambassador Egriselda López of El Salvador, focused on agenda item four, during which 61 member states and three intergovernmental organisations delivered statements on priorities for the mechanism.

Delegations emphasised the transition from the previous Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) to the new permanent mechanism, highlighting the need to build on existing agreements and move towards practical implementation. Several speakers stressed that the mechanism should focus on translating the agreed framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace into concrete outcomes, rather than negotiating new commitments.

Across statements, member states reaffirmed the five-pillar framework covering threats, norms and principles, the application of international law, confidence-building measures, and capacity development.

Capacity development was highlighted as a cross-cutting priority, particularly by developing countries and Small Island Developing States, which pointed to the need for demand-driven and sustainable approaches to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities. Delegations also noted challenges, including ransomware, threats to critical infrastructure, and the impact of emerging technologies such as AI.

Member states welcomed the establishment of two dedicated thematic groups, one addressing substantive ICT security challenges and another focused on capacity development, as a means to support more detailed discussions and implementation.

Several delegations reaffirmed that international law, including the UN Charter, applies to cyberspace and called for further work on its practical implementation. Many also emphasised the importance of maintaining a consensus-based, intergovernmental process, while enabling contributions from stakeholders, including the private sector, academia, and civil society, in line with agreed modalities.

The meeting forms part of the initial phase of the Global Mechanism’s work, following its establishment as a permanent UN forum on ICT security. The mechanism is expected to convene its first substantive plenary session in July 2026, alongside dedicated thematic group meetings scheduled for December 2026.

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UN launches Global Mechanism on ICT security, elects chair for 2026–2027

The United Nations has convened the organisational session of the Global Mechanism on developments in the field of ICTs in the context of international security and advancing responsible state behaviour in the use of ICTs, a new permanent forum established by UN General Assembly resolution 80/16.

The session was opened by Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, who facilitated the election of Ambassador Egriselda López of El Salvador as chair for the 2026–2027 biennium.

During the meeting, the Russian Federation said it would not block the consensus-based appointment of López to ensure the swift launch of the mechanism. However, it expressed ‘deep disquiet’ regarding the pre-election process, stating that the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) had initiated an informal silence procedure on 13 March regarding López’s candidacy without prior discussion with member states. The delegation described the step as ‘unauthorised’ under UN General Assembly resolutions 79/237 and 80/16.

In her remarks following the election, López emphasised that the mechanism should focus on implementation of existing commitments, stating the need to move from agreements to ‘concrete results.’ She underlined that the process remains intergovernmental and should be guided by consensus among member states.

The session adopted its provisional agenda and proceeded with a general exchange of views among delegations.

Several regional groups outlined priorities for the mechanism. Nigeria, speaking on behalf of the African Group, highlighted capacity development as a cross-cutting priority and pointed to cybersecurity threats affecting developing countries, including ransomware and attacks on critical infrastructure.

The Pacific Islands Forum, represented by the Solomon Islands, emphasised the vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States and called for practical implementation of agreed measures.

The Arab Group and the European Union also stressed the importance of translating existing frameworks into action, with the EU highlighting the need to enhance implementation of the agreed framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace.

Across statements, delegations highlighted several common priorities, including:

strengthening capacity development efforts;
addressing ransomware and threats to critical infrastructure;
advancing the application of international law in cyberspace;
ensuring that the mechanism builds on the outcomes of the previous Open-Ended Working Group.

Member states also welcomed the establishment of two dedicated thematic groups, one focusing on substantive issues and another on capacity development, and called for clear mandates and coordination between them.

The Global Mechanism is mandated to advance discussions across five pillars:

threats
norms and principles
the application of international law
confidence-building measures
capacity development.

It will convene annual plenary sessions, thematic group meetings, and a review conference every five years, leading up to the 2030 review.

The organisational session marks the start of the mechanism’s substantive work as a permanent UN forum on ICT security.

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South Korea seeks support for global AI hub

South Korea is seeking international support for a proposed global AI hub to advance cooperation on technology and governance. The initiative was discussed during talks with Switzerland’s leadership.

Officials in Switzerland met with South Korea’s prime minister to strengthen bilateral ties and support the project. The programme is intended to promote collaboration on AI rules, education and innovation.

The government of South Korea has also engaged several UN agencies to support the initiative. Agreements outline cooperation to help establish the hub and expand global dialogue on AI development.

Leaders in South Korea say the country aims to contribute its strong information technology capabilities to the project. The initiative reflects broader efforts to position the nation as a key player in global AI policy and innovation.

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