Egypt and Bangladesh, alongside a cross-regional coalition including Algeria, successfully championed the United Nations Human Rights Council’s first resolution addressing artificial intelligence and human rights. Adopted in Geneva during the 63rd session, the measure establishes formal UN backing to bridge the technological divide and keep human dignity at the center of digital innovation.
The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted the text titled The Implications of Artificial Intelligence on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. Intensive negotiations led by diplomatic missions in Geneva forged a consensus among member states, creating a unified framework for emerging digital technologies.
A cross-regional group sponsored the initiative, featuring Austria, Greece, Guyana, Kuwait, and Nepal alongside the core drafting nations. Government ministries and participating delegations welcomed the measure as both timely and essential for establishing global AI governance.
UN Adopts First Global AI Rights Resolution
The resolution explicitly mandates that the design, development, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence systems must fully align with international law, including international human rights law. Governance frameworks must draw guidance from the principles of the United Nations Charter, emphasizing international cooperation, sovereign equality, and non-discrimination.
A central pillar of the initiative addresses the technological disparities facing developing countries. The text emphasizes the right to development, decent work, and cultural and linguistic diversity while prioritizing technical assistance, capacity-building programs, and technology transfer under mutually agreed terms. It encourages access to public digital goods and open-source AI models so that emerging nations are included in the digital transition.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stated that the future of artificial intelligence must be more equitable, and its opportunities must expand for everyone, without leaving anyone behind
according to Masrawy.
That principle translates to ensuring that the future of artificial intelligence is equitable, that opportunities expand for everyone, and that no country or community gets left behind in the digital transition.
National Contributions to the Geneva Negotiations
Egypt spearheaded the cross-regional push, working closely with Bangladesh and partner delegations to secure consensus. The diplomatic effort reflects Cairo’s push to shape international discussions on emerging technologies and ensure human rights remain at the heart of technological evolution.
Algeria also played a role as a member of the core group during drafting and negotiations. The North African nation’s involvement reflects its commitment to multilateralism, sovereign equality, and defending the priorities of developing economies within UN forums.
Beyond state governments, the resolution calls on private sector enterprises and technology corporations to acknowledge and uphold their direct responsibilities regarding human rights protection. It urges the adoption of safeguards that guarantee human dignity, transparency, accountability, and active human oversight over machine systems.
Human Rights Council Schedules Panel and Reports on AI
To turn these principles into actionable policy, the resolution schedules follow-up mechanisms within the UN human rights machinery.
- The Human Rights Council will convene a dedicated panel discussion during its 65th session, titled
Putting Human Rights at the Center of Artificial Intelligence: Capacity Building and Bridging the Gap
(Putting Human Rights at the Center of Artificial Intelligence: Capacity Building and Bridging the Gap). - The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights must prepare a report on the proceedings and findings of that panel.
- The resulting report will be formally presented to the council during its 66th session to guide ongoing international standard-setting.
