Co-facilitators, 

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity-Building. 

Let me begin by thanking you for convening the second informal consultation and distributing the guiding questions which facilitate reflections on the two mechanisms.

Bearing in mind the widening AI divide and the key role of capacity-building cooperation to bridge the divide, the Group would like to propose the following points on ToRs and modalities of the International Scientific Panel and the Global Dialogue.

First, both the Panel and the Dialogue should pursue multilateralism, uphold the central and coordinating role of the UN in international development cooperation, and actively implement UNGA resolution A/Res/78/311 entitled Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity-Building of Artificial Intelligence.

Second, both the Panel and the Dialogue should be inclusive to developing countries and guarantee their equal representation and participation, with targeted assistance when necessary, for the purpose of ensuring full enjoyment of AI benefits for all and leaving no one and no country behind. 

Third, AI capacity-building should be prioritized in the mandates and agendas of both the Panel and the Dialogue. We believe the Panel and the Dialogue should assess carefully the current capacity gap and related challenges, especially those faced by developing countries, and come up with concrete recommendations and proposals on enhancing capacity-building cooperation. 

Fourth, the Panel and the Dialogue should underline the principle of AI for good and for all in their work, with the vision of a people-centered, inclusive and development-oriented information society. Both of them should give full consideration to the needs, policies and priorities of developing countries, and promote AI and digital infrastructure connectivity, talent training, sharing of expertise and best practices.

Fifth, the Panel and the Dialogue should instill new energy into global governance of AI under the UN framework, and foster synergy with existing mechanisms and frameworks, such as the World Summit on the Information Society, the Internet Governance Forum and other national, regional and multilateral initiatives, with the aim of accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Co-facilitators, I’d like to make the following remarks in my national capacity.

China aligns itself with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of G77 and China. We reiterate our support for the establishment of the Panel and the Dialogue as mandated by the Global Digital Compact.

We believe that the work of both the Panel and the Dialogue should be development-oriented and respond to the needs of developing countries. The two mechanisms should focus on using AI to advance the development of agriculture, manufacturing, education, health care, and other key sectors, so as to accelerate the implementation of SDGs. The Panel and the Dialogue should endeavor to promote open, inclusive, and green development of AI and open-source AI technologies, and also work towards the establishment of global interoperable AI risk assessment frameworks, standards, and governance system. The two mechanisms should be interlinked, mutually complement, and reinforce each other.

On the Panel, we are open to drawing on the IPCC model, and would like to highlight the importance of meaningful participation of developing countries. We suggest the Panel be based in New York, and supported by the UN Secretariat.

On the Dialogue, China supports a dual-track structure, in which the intergovernmental track plays the leading role, while the multistakeholder track encompasses the enterprises, academia, and other relevant institutions. The Dialogue should start with easy topics, leading to tangible outcomes with practical actions and incremental progress. It is important that the Dialogue should form synergy with existing mechanisms instead of duplication. We believe it would be better to put the Dialogue in the framework of the General Assembly, so that strong political impetus could be generated in the process.

Thank you！