Zambia Calls for Fair and Inclusive Global AI Development at UN Forum
Zambia has urged the international community to ensure that the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) benefits all countries equitably, with developing nations actively shaping how the technology is adopted and governed.
Speaking in New York ahead of the 11th Annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (STI Forum), Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr Chola Milambo, emphasised the need for inclusive AI engagement anchored in national development priorities.
The event, held under the theme “AI Empowering Engineering Capacity Building”, was organised by Zambia, China and the China Association for Science and Technology in their role as co-chairs of the Group of Friends on AI Capacity-Building.
Dr Milambo said developing countries must move beyond debating whether to engage with AI and instead focus on how to ensure that participation is inclusive, equitable and aligned with domestic development goals.
He stressed the importance of investing in local engineers, technicians and institutions to build sustainable AI ecosystems.
The Chinese Vice Minister of Science and Technology, H.E. Mr Chen Jiachang, reaffirmed China’s commitment to advancing practical cooperation in AI capacity-building.
He highlighted the importance of real-world applications, global talent development, and the use of AI to improve education, accessibility and public services, including AI-driven learning tools and medical diagnostics.
The discussions were also attended by Mr Amandeep Singh Gill, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, alongside academic experts, technical specialists and representatives from member states.
Participants highlighted the urgent need to bridge the global AI divide, noting that many developing countries risk being left behind without targeted investment in skills, infrastructure and institutional capacity.
The forum reinforced growing international consensus that AI development must be inclusive, with stronger global cooperation to ensure that emerging technologies contribute meaningfully to sustainable development and shared prosperity.
