Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations

For Malaysia, the success of the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance would depend on its ability to advance a balanced, inclusive and action-oriented approach to global AI governance that reflects the needs and realities of all countries, particularly developing nations. First, the Dialogue should reaffirm that AI governance must remain human-centric, ethical, transparent and conducive to sustainable development. Discussions should focus not only on addressing risks associated with AI, but also on ensuring that countries are able to harness AI responsibly for economic growth, public service delivery, education, healthcare and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Second, Malaysia would view the Dialogue as successful if it meaningfully addresses the digital and technological divide. This includes greater emphasis on capacity-building, digital infrastructure, AI literacy, technical cooperation and equitable access to emerging technologies, particularly for developing countries. In this regard, international cooperation and knowledge-sharing will be essential to ensure that no country is left behind in the global AI transition. Third, the Dialogue should reinforce the importance of inclusive and multilateral governance processes under the United Nations framework. Malaysia attaches importance to ensuring that all Member States, regardless of their level of technological advancement, have the opportunity to participate meaningfully in shaping global AI norms and principles. Finally, practical and forward-looking outcomes would be important. This may include identifying areas for enhanced international cooperation, promoting interoperability and trusted digital ecosystems, and encouraging continued engagement among governments, industry, academia and other stakeholders. Malaysia believes that the Dialogue should serve as a platform to build trust, strengthen international cooperation and lay the foundation for inclusive, balanced and development-oriented global AI governance.

• Safe, secure and trustworthy AI
• AI capacity-building
• Social, economic, ethical, cultural, linguistic and technical implications of AI
• Transparency, accountability, and human oversight

Malaysia's selection reflects its commitment to ensuring that artificial intelligence (AI) supports inclusive, secure and sustainable development, while remaining people-centred and accessible to all countries. AI capacity-building is a key priority, particularly for developing countries, to ensure equitable participation in the digital economy. Malaysia attaches importance to strengthening digital infrastructure, technical expertise, AI literacy, and institutional readiness so that countries are able to harness AI responsibly and effectively. Greater international cooperation, knowledge-sharing and technical assistance will be important in narrowing existing technological and capacity gaps. Malaysia also considers safe, secure and trustworthy AI to be essential in building public confidence and ensuring that AI systems are deployed responsibly. In this regard, governance frameworks should promote safety, reliability and resilience, while addressing risks related to misuse, misinformation, cybersecurity and harmful applications of AI. Transparency, accountability and human oversight are equally important to ensure that AI systems remain ethical, fair and human-centric. Malaysia supports approaches that uphold human responsibility in decision-making processes, while promoting transparency and accountability in the design and deployment of AI technologies. Finally, Malaysia recognizes the broad social, economic, ethical, cultural, linguistic and technical implications of AI, particularly for developing and multicultural societies. AI governance discussions should therefore remain inclusive and sensitive to differing national contexts, levels of development and cultural diversity. Malaysia believes that AI governance frameworks should support innovation and economic growth while safeguarding social inclusion, human dignity and sustainable development.

Malaysia has established a robust foundation for AI development through the National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap (AI-Rmap) 2021-2025 and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDIGITAL). These frameworks are designed to build a sustainable ecosystem and transform Malaysia into a regional digital leader. Furthermore, we are currently drafting the National AI Action Plan 2026-2030 (AI Nation 2030) to align with our 13th Malaysia Plan, ensuring long-term strategic continuity. Our commitment to responsible AI is reflected in the National AI Governance and Ethics Guidelines (AIGE) launched in 2024, providing a voluntary framework based on seven ethical principles. In the public sector, our 2025 AI Adoption Guidelines specifically mandate a "Human-in-the-Loop" approach, ensuring that human oversight remains central to ethical service delivery. While leveraging existing laws such as the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 and the Cyber Security Act 2024, Malaysia is actively developing a dedicated AI Governance Bill. This forthcoming legislation aims to establish a clear framework for AI stakeholders across the entire lifecycle, addressing emerging risks such as deepfakes while maintaining a strong focus on safety and accountability. To promote global interoperability, Malaysia has also initiated MY-AI Standards, a national initiative led by the National AI Office (NAIO). This initiative acts as a critical "soft law" bridge between ethical principles and binding legislation by centralising international standards (e.g. ISO, IEC, IEEE), ensuring Malaysia's AI ecosystem remains auditable, consistent, and aligned with global best practices.