Statement by H.E. Ambassador MIKANAGI Tomohiro, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the informal consultation on the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance

 
Thank you, Co-facilitators.
 
At the outset, I congratulate the adoption of the GDC last September, and reiterate our appreciation for Ambassador Enestrom of Sweden and Ambassador Milambo of Zambia, as well as the Secretariat for their efforts.
 
I welcome Ambassador Chan of Costa Rica and Ambassador Gomez of Spain as the co-facilitators of the processes of the AI Panel and the Global Dialogue, which are among the most important commitments in the GDC. Japan will engage actively in these processes.
 
Taking this opportunity, let me briefly explain Japan’s basic position on the implementation of the GDC, including on AI governance.
 
First, Japan is strongly committed to enhancing human-centric AI through human-centric international cooperation. Japan believes that digital cooperation through the GDC would protect and empower all individuals by minimizing the risks and maximizing the benefits of digital technologies. This would lead to the protection of human dignity, on which Japan places the utmost importance.
 
Second, considering the roles played by multiple actors in the development of AI, it is critical to build safe, secure, and trustworthy AI which can minimize the risks and maximize the benefits through closely collaborating with multi-stakeholders. This perspective underpins the Hiroshima AI Process led by Japan, and we will strive to advance synergies between the Hiroshima Process and the GDC.
 
Based on this basic position, I would like to make three points on the AI Panel and the Global Dialogue.
First, the mandate, length of the term and TOR of the Panel and the Dialogue must be determined through consensus, taking into consideration the comments from multi-stakeholders.
 
Second, the purpose of the Panel must be to inform the UN Member States and other stakeholders the latest scientific findings and technological developments. Therefore, we must ensure that panel members are independent from both Member State governments and from the UN Secretariat.
 
Third, the purpose of the Dialogue must be to hold free and interactive dialogues with all multi-stakeholders on various agendas, such as challenges and best practices. Given the expertise accumulated in multiple organizations and entities, two-way dialogue respecting other stakeholders’ expertise is necessary for promoting effective international collaboration on global AI governance. In this respect, we consider the Dialogue should take place on the margins of an existing multi-stakeholder forum, such as the Internet Governance Forum.

Co-facilitators, to conclude, Japan will actively contribute to the coming consultations while listening carefully to the views of others.
 
I thank you.