On December 3, China and Zambia co-hosted the inaugural meeting of the Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity-building at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Ambassador Fu Cong, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, and Ms. Prudence Kaoma, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and National Planning of Zambia, delivered opening remarks. Representatives from more than 80 countries and some UN agencies attended the meeting.
Ambassador Fu Cong noted the Global AI Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping contributes Chinese wisdom to global AI governance. Facing the opportunities and challenges brought by AI, we must promote AI for good, uphold fairness and inclusiveness, champion multilateralism, and focus on capacity-building. The Group of Friends will build partnerships, take practical and effective actions, and promote AI to empower sustainable development for member states.
Ms. Prudence Kaoma said that the international community should be committed to bridging the AI divide and supporting the United Nations in playing a critical role in the global governance of AI. It is hoped that member states will support the Group of Friends and strengthen global coordination and cooperation.
Representatives from member states and UN agencies engaged in active discussions, in which they commended the leading role played by China and Zambia, and expressed their willingness to work with the Group of Friends to further strengthen cooperation on AI capacity-building, enhance AI governance, and bridge the digital divide.
Guided by the Global AI Governance Initiative, China, together with the core group, tabled the resolution on enhancing international cooperation on AI capacity-building, which was adopted by consensus at the UN General Assembly in July 2024, with 143 countries co-sponsoring the resolution.