About the Statement:

Issued by the Union Association for Human Rights, in cooperation with an organization holding consultative status, this written statement was submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council at its 58th session (February – April 2025). The statement focuses on strengthening the role of international bodies and mechanisms in governing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and highlights the efforts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in adopting and guiding the use of AI and modern technologies in line with global human rights principles.

Contents of the Statement:

First: General background

• The statement commends the advanced role of the Human Rights Council in keeping pace with technological transformations and calls for developing its mechanisms to address emerging challenges in the field of AI.
• It links AI progress to the need for digital governance based on legal and ethical principles to ensure respect for human rights.

Second: The need for an international framework for AI governance

• The statement expresses concern about the persistence of technological disparities and the legislative vacuum in global AI regulation.
• It calls for supporting UN initiatives such as the Pact for the Future and the Roadmap for Digital Cooperation to promote balance between innovation and human rights commitments.

Third: Highlighting the efforts of the United Arab Emirates

• The statement reviews the UAE’s pioneering AI initiatives, including:
• Establishing the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence, an unprecedented step in the region
• Launching the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy
• Issuing the AI Ethics Guidelines
• Creating the National AI Program and the UAE Council for AI and Advanced Technologies
• It highlights that the UAE ranked 5th globally (1st regionally) on the 2024 Global AI Vibrancy Index, issued by Stanford University.

Fourth: Recommendations of the statement

• The UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
• The principles of the Pact for the Future, to enhance social justice, equality, and prevent discriminatory applications
• The UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation
• The outcomes of the UN High-Level Advisory Body on AI Governance
• Supporting the efforts of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) and the Humanitarian AI Alliance
• Involving the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in policymaking and coordinating international dialogue on technology

Importance of the statement:

• The statement reflects an advanced strategic vision linking technology and human rights.
• It highlights AI as a comprehensive human rights issue intersecting with security, health, education, economy, and human dignity.
• It presents the UAE as a leading model for responsible AI governance based on ethical principles and sustainable development.