UN Secretary-General Urges Inclusive Global AI Governance in Shanghai

UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged governments and technology companies to establish an inclusive global partnership for artificial intelligence during the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on July 17, 2026. Guterres characterized AI as both humanity's greatest opportunity and one of its greatest risks, warning that the technology could exacerbate global inequality if governance remains concentrated among a few nations or corporations.

To address these risks, Guterres outlined three priorities: expanding capacity in developing countries, establishing law-based international safety standards, and improving environmental sustainability. He announced plans to present recommendations for a Global Fund for AI and called on major AI firms to transition to renewable energy by 2030. He also noted that more than 20 countries, including China, have nominated centers for a UN-supported Global Network for Exchange and Cooperation on AI Capacity Building.

Other world leaders echoed these calls for inclusion, specifically advocating for the Global South to be active contributors rather than mere consumers of AI. Leaders from Kazakhstan, Cambodia, and Thailand highlighted China's leadership in the field, referencing the 2023 Global AI Governance Initiative and the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) as key frameworks for international collaboration.