Arcdh Arc – Association for Human Rights of Azerbaijanis of Iran "ArcDH"
On 6 May 2025, the Association for the Defense of Human Rights of Azerbaijanis of Iran (ArcDH) attended the Special Meeting on Artificial Intelligence, centered on using AI to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). In his opening remarks, ECOSOC President H.E. Bob Rae highlighted AI and digital inclusion as key priorities for the Council’s 2025 session.
The meeting brought together Member States, UN agencies, private sector leaders, innovators, civil society organizations, and NGOs to explore how strategic investments and inclusive cooperation can support the development of accessible, ethical AI ecosystems, particularly in the Global South.
In his keynote address, Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill, the Secretary-General’s Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, posed a central question: “Will AI widen divides or widen opportunity?” He stressed the duality of AI’s potential, citing examples like AI-powered tuberculosis diagnostics in Benin, while warning of unequal access to infrastructure and governance.
He presented three core commitments from the Global Digital Compact: an independent scientific panel on AI, a global dialogue on AI governance, and innovative funding mechanisms with a focus on underserved regions. Delegates reviewed promising regional frameworks and discussed persistent challenges such as limited connectivity, skills gaps, and unequal investment.
The meeting concluded with two thematic panels with experts: one on emerging AI innovations for the SDGs, and another on building foundational capacity in the Global South.
