Digital Development Agency

• (1) The conviction and consensus among all stakeholders regarding the urgent need to adopt a shared vision of AI governance that is comprehensive, inclusive, safe, and ethical, and focused on respecting fundamental rights and freedoms as well as democratic values
• (2) The urgency of building the capacity of stakeholders and citizens at the Member State level to bring them up to speed on AI-related issues, thereby facilitating its adoption for greater inclusion
• (3) The solemn call for investment and funding of ethical AI development initiatives to fully harness its potential, on the one hand, to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and on the other hand, to prevent the emergence of discriminatory, unethical AI that is prone to societal contradictions and controversies.

• Safe, secure and trustworthy AI
• AI capacity-building
• Protection and promotion of human rights
• Social, economic, ethical, cultural, linguistic and technical implications of AI

In my view, AI is a double-edged strategic tool. It can accelerate development just as much as it can create problematic situations, as we have seen with generative AI. Such a tool must be used in an appropriate context that ensures trust, safety, and accountability.

Environmental issues were not addressed. In fact, AI infrastructure has a significant and rapidly growing environmental footprint (enormous energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, intense pressure on water resources, depletion of mineral resources, generation of electronic waste, ...). It is important to address this issue and ensure that the benefits do not lead to further environmental damage, as has been the case with other technologies.

In my country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we possess some of the world's most significant mineral resources. We are the leading exporter of cobalt, accounting for more than 70% of global production. However, we are facing a nightmare created by Rwanda (a neighboring country) that is attacking our people and plundering our minerals. AI, along with all other Web3 technologies, will help us improve transparency and traceability in mineral extraction. It is a strategic tool that can help restore peace in the part of the country under attack.

The global dialogue on AI governance can help establish a robust framework for discussions and decisions regarding the development and use of AI by Member States. This includes establishing regulatory and institutional guidelines to promote the ethical, responsible, and safe development of AI by Member States through national AI strategies.

The AI Dialogue can accelerate the implementation of some initiatives included in the Digital Global Compact (inclusion in the digital economy, responsive data governance, ...).

They can join the meeting online or attend in person according to the agenda to be announced.

People of rural zone are not represented because of the lack of Internet coverage in some countries like DRC, etc.

The conference on July will be the more effective way to foster the dynamic launched on Marc 18, 2026

African Union AI strategy that aims to harness AI for Africa's development and prosperity.