Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

I thank Pakistan and Tajikistan for organizing this timely side event. As we deliberate on AI and the future of sustainable development, China recognizes both the immense potential and the profound responsibilities that come with this transformative technology.

For developing countries, the promise of AI lies not in automation alone, but in its power to leapfrog traditional development barriers. In China, we have witnessed how AI accelerates inclusive industrialization—our intelligent manufacturing systems have boosted efficiency by over 30 percent while cutting defects by half in many sectors, directly advancing SDG 9.

At the same time, we are deploying AI to strengthen climate resilience, from precision agriculture that optimizes water usage to disaster early-warning systems that protect vulnerable communities. Our digital public service platforms now reach more than 90 percent of rural populations, ensuring that even remote areas benefit from AI-enabled healthcare, education and financial inclusion. These efforts demonstrate that AI can reduce rather than widen the digital divide, provided that infrastructure investment and capacity-building reach the margins.

But technology alone is not enough. The central question is how we equip the next generation to lead this transformation. China has introduced national AI curricula in thousands of schools and established youth innovation funds that have nurtured over ten thousand AI-driven startups. We believe young people are not just beneficiaries but co-creators of the AI era—and they need not only skills, but also platforms, mentorship and financing to turn ideas into impact.

We also take seriously the governance and ethical dimensions. China has enacted comprehensive legislation on data protection and algorithmic accountability, and we positively contribute to the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI. We advocate for a people-centered approach that prioritizes transparency, security and fairness, while working with partners to counter cybersecurity threats, disinformation and algorithmic bias.

We also believe that international cooperation—through knowledge exchange, public-private partnerships and North-South South-South and triangle cooperation—is essential to ensure that no country is left behind in shaping or benefiting from AI.

China has proposed the Global AI Governance Initiative and launched capacity-building programs for developing countries. We stand ready to share our experiences and learn from others. Let us work together to ensure that AI becomes a force for inclusive, resilient and sustainable development for all.

With the theme of “Intelligent Partners, Co-create the Future,” the 2026 World AI Conference & High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance will be held in Shanghai from July 17 to 20. Through this conference, China looks forward to building a platform for various parties to enhance mutual trust, pool consensus, and deepen cooperation so as to promote the sound, safe and orderly development of AI.

Thank you.