Video Message
Excellencies,
Distinguished Participants,
It is a pleasure to join you at the 9th Regional Symposium on Effective Governance and AI.
Today’s gathering demonstrates our shared recognition of the urgent need to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
The clock is ticking on the 2030 Agenda. Across the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, most SDG targets are off track. On climate, we are moving backward. The current course is not an option.
To get back on track, we need a catalyst for change. That catalyst is Artificial Intelligence, guided by innovation and inclusion.
By strengthening public institutions and empowering local governments with bold policies, we can deliver for all.
Digital transformation and AI is our powerful ally on this, with the potential to fundamentally reshape how we serve our communities, by making services faster, smarter, and more accessible.
Allow me to highlight some examples:
• First, we can transform public services by using AI to anticipate needs, streamline processes, and deliver basic services with unprecedented efficiency.
• Second, we can strengthen local governance by leveraging AI for data-driven insights that lead to smarter urban planning and effective resource allocation.
• Third, we can enhance people engagement, allowing people to interact with their governments and participate directly in the decisions that shape their communities.
These promises, however, come with a profound responsibility. Technology must serve humanity, not the other way around.
To ensure that this digital transformation is inclusive, equitable, and ethical, the UN General Assembly has established the Global Dialogue on AI Governance and the Independent Scientific Panel on AI to guide our path.
Let this symposium be more than a conversation. Let it be a turning point where we commit to action, leveraging technology and innovation to accelerate progress on the SDGs and build the sustainable, equitable future we all demand.
I wish you a successful conference.
Thank you.