A coalition of 20 nations, including Germany, Canada, and South Africa, along with the European Union, has formally proposed the creation of a global AI governing body. The institution would draft and enforce strict international safety and ethics standards for advanced artificial intelligence systems.
The joint declaration, released during the United Nations General Assembly in late September 2026, was led by Finland and Norway.
Signatories include leaders such as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The statement stresses that AI “must remain under human direction, oversight and control.”
Key recommendations call for mandatory pre-release safety testing of frontier AI models, independent external evaluations, coordinated common standards across governments, and shared reporting of serious safety incidents. UN member states are urged to explore establishing an international institution—potentially modeled on the International Atomic Energy Agency—to set standards, verify compliance, and convene countries when AI capabilities cross agreed thresholds.
Notably, the United States, China, the United Kingdom, France, and several other major AI developers did not join the declaration. Proponents argue the body is needed to address rising risks from rapidly advancing systems without widening the global gap in access to AI benefits.
The proposal arrives amid growing international debate on regulating powerful AI while preserving innovation. Further developments are expected in the coming days as more nations respond and discussions continue at the UN.
