Joint Statement
Contribution from the Global South regarding the Terms of Reference and Modalities for the Establishment and Functioning of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance (rev2)
We, the undersigned civil society organizations from the Global South, respectfully submit this joint letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, the co-facilitators of the negotiation process—Spain and Costa Rica—and the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, through the Office of Digital and Emerging Technologies.
As Global South organizations working for digital rights and inclusion, and as organizations that were actively involved in the making of the Global Digital Compact from the civil society standpoint, we would like to express our concerns with the current negotiations on the AI Panel & Dialogue.
We also present some inputs on critical matters to stakeholders, as follows, in four different areas.
Transparency
To uphold the principles of scientific independence and credibility outlined in paragraph 1(a), the process of appointing members to the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence must be guided by a transparent and participatory mechanism. The selection process, led by the Secretary-General as per paragraph 3, should include clear public criteria, reinforcing the legitimacy and impartiality of the Panel, human rights expertise (so that human rights considerations are prioritised in the planning and implementation of subsequent activities), while safeguarding its mandate from potential conflicts of interest or political interference.
Also, the Panel is tasked with producing one report to be presented at the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, but there are no clear guidelines on whether drafts, data, or dissenting opinions will be published or made available for scrutiny. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the Panel and the deep scientific disagreements on the topic of AI, the global community can benefit not only from access to the report but also from transparency regarding the disagreements and divergences.
Stakeholder participation
To ensure that the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance fully reflects the diversity of perspectives required to address the multifaceted challenges of AI governance, it is essential to define “relevant stakeholders” in a manner that guarantees substantive and balanced participation. Stakeholders should be identified based on their demonstrated engagement with AI-related issues and multilateral processes, with particular consideration for actors from the Global South, to foster inclusive and multidisciplinary deliberations. It is unclear how “relevant stakeholders” are identified and what role they have in agenda-setting or decision-making during the Dialogue.
Inclusion and access
The Panel and the Dialogue must ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities, who are often sidelined in key decision-making processes. The Global Dialogue should also be geographically diverse in its organisation and outreach. While paragraph 5 rightly anchors the Dialogue within the margins of existing United Nations events, specific attention should be given to convening meetings in countries of the Global South and during forums such as the Internet Governance Forum, which already support multistakeholder engagement and are accessible to a broad range of actors. Events should not be hosted in countries where visa or entry restrictions could hinder the inclusive participation of stakeholders, particularly from developing countries.
Coordination
Both the Independent International Scientific Panel and the Global Dialogue must be firmly grounded in the international human rights framework. Moreover, the two mechanisms should be designed to inform and complement each other: the Global Dialogue providing a platform for identifying challenges and knowledge gaps through stakeholder input, while the Panel offers scientifically rigorous and policy-relevant guidance and solutions. This reciprocal relationship would strengthen evidence-based governance and ensure responsiveness to the evolving needs of the international community. Finally, the document should reinstate the Independent Appointment Committee as pointed out in Rev1.
This contribution is endorsed by the following Global South organizations:
Data Privacy Brasil
Tech Global Institute
Fundacion Internet Bolivia
Dukingire Isi Yacu (DIY) – Burundi
Center of AI and Tech Innovation for Democracy (PIKAT), Indonesia
FREEDOM FORUM, Nepal
KICTANet (Kenya)
Digital Access
Jokkolabs Banjul, The Gambia
Derechos Digitales
Research ICT Africa
Aláfia Lab
Fundación Multitudes
Paradigm Initiative
