Twenty countries and EU call for global AI oversight body ahead of UN talks

Twenty countries and the European Union have called for stronger international oversight of artificial intelligence, including the possible creation of a global body to set and enforce standards. The joint statement was released on Monday as world leaders prepare to discuss AI risks at the annual gathering of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. It says governments and industry should act immediately to ensure AI remains under human direction, oversight and control.

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The declaration was issued from the office of Finnish President Alexander Stubb and says countries should develop common standards, share reports of serious safety incidents and consider an international institution that could set standards, enable verification and convene states when capability thresholds are crossed. It also says the aim is to strengthen oversight without widening the gap between countries in access to the benefits of AI. The statement describes the effort as open for endorsement by other countries.

Among the signatories are Germany, South Africa, Canada, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Norway, Kenya, Kazakhstan and Turkey. The declaration also includes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz among the named signatories. The United States and China, the two leading AI powers, did not join the statement, and other major AI players including India, South Korea, Japan, the UK and France were also absent.

The proposal comes amid a wider debate over how to govern rapidly advancing AI systems, with governments under pressure to balance innovation against safety concerns. The statement reflects growing interest in international coordination at a time when AI capabilities are developing faster than existing regulatory frameworks in many countries. It also highlights concern that the benefits of AI should not be concentrated in a small number of states or companies.

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The timing is significant because the declaration was released just before UN General Assembly discussions in which AI risks are expected to feature prominently. It also comes as Washington and Beijing remain in competition over advanced technologies and have both resisted calls to slow AI development for safety reasons. The statement suggests some governments want a more formal mechanism for cooperation before the technology advances further.

What remains unclear is whether the proposal will gain wider backing or lead to any concrete institutional plan. The statement does not set out a timetable for creating a new body, and it is not yet clear how much authority such an institution could have if established. The next key test will be whether more countries endorse the declaration during the UN meetings and whether the idea translates into negotiations on shared rules.

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