UN chief in New Delhi for AI summit urges inclusive global governance

The United Nations’ spokesperson, Steph, said the secretary-general has arrived in New Delhi to participate in the AI Impact Summit and will take part in the summit’s opening ceremony and a plenary with heads of state and government.

Steph said the secretary-general attended a dinner hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for high-level participants and will hold bilateral meetings throughout his time in Delhi. The spokesman added that the secretary-general’s remarks for the summit have been shared with the press under embargo and will be issued when delivered.

“The future of AI cannot be decided by a handful of countries or left to the whims of a few billionaires,” Steph quoted the secretary-general as saying, and added that he will call for AI to be accessible, beneficial and safe for everyone.

The spokesperson said the SG will also meet UN colleagues based in India and that the UN will keep the press updated on his activities. No formal UN policy decision or negotiating text was announced at the briefing; the statement focused on the secretary-general’s public messaging and outreach during the trip.

The secretary-general’s remarks at the summit, the timing of any follow-up initiatives, and the text of proposals for global AI governance were described as embargoed and will be released after delivery.