Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly become one of the most transformative technologies of our time. From reshaping industries and labour markets to influencing education, healthcare and security, AI is increasingly embedded in every part of our societies.

Although there is increasing convergence on the risks and opportunities associated with AI, policy solutions are diverse and fragmented, with standards, sectoral regulations and strategies varying from country to country.

In response, the United Nations has provided a platform for global dialogue and scientific consensus on AI, and recently, during this year’s 80th General Assembly, Member States launched both the International Scientific Panel on AI, designed to build a common, evidence-based understanding of the technology, and the Global Dialogues on AI Governance, bringing together governments, civil society, industry and academia to exchange perspectives on a regular basis.

This episode of Multilateralism UNpacked explores these developments with Lucia Velasco, Head of AI Policy at the Office of the UN Office of Digital and Emerging Technologies, who spoke to Eleonore Fournier-Tombs, Head of Anticipatory Action and Innovation at UNU-CPR, about where global AI governance stands today, what the ISP and Global Dialogues mean in practice, and how AI governance may evolve in the years ahead.

Suggested reading list:

• Global Digital Compact: https://www.un.org/global-digital-compact/sites/default/files/2024-09/Global%20Digital%20Compact%20-%20English_0.pdf.
• International Scientific Panel on AI: https://www.un.org/independent-international-scientific-panel-ai/en.
• Global Dialogues on AI Governance: https://www.un.org/global-dialogue-ai-governance/en.
• A Global Architecture for Artificial Intelligence: https://collections.unu.edu/eserv/UNU:9284/A_Global_Architecture_for_Artificial_Intelligence.pdf
• ¿Te va a sustituir un algoritmo?: El futuro del trabajo en España: https://www.amazon.com/-/es/%C2%BFTe-sustituir-algoritmo-futuro-trabajo/dp/8418895055

As the United Nations approaches its 80th anniversary, questions about its agility and relevance have taken centre stage. In Episode 4 of Multilateralism UNpacked, UNU-CPR Director Dr. David Passarelli speaks with journalist, academic and UNU-CPR Fellow Dr. Adam McCauley about the need for international organizations to adapt and evolve in the face of deep geopolitical flux and rising scepticism toward multilateral cooperation. Drawing on lessons from organizational theory and his experience in government and academia, Dr. McCauley explores how the UN can become a learning institution, one that balances ambition with realism and reimagines coalitions, especially the role of middle powers. As the UN80 reform agenda moves ahead, this conversation lays out what’s at stake and how culture, structure and strategy must align for the UN to thrive in a new era.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were launched ten years ago. But their implementation over the past decade has been uneven and evidence suggests we are unlikely to achieve the goals by the 2030 deadline. In episode 3 of Multilateralism UNpacked Dr. Nicole Goldin and Dr. Jack Durrell explore the factors behind this lack of progress and how we can now accelerate implementation of the SDGs. The conversation also reflects on relevant discussions at two recent UN conferences - the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development and the High-Level Political Forum – and considers what comes next for the ‘2030 agenda’.

Related information:

1. The FFD4 Outcome Document, the 'Sevilla Commitment': https://financing.desa.un.org/document/ffd4-outcome-booklet-spread
2. Sevilla Platform for Action: https://financing.desa.un.org/ffd4/sevilla-platform-action
3. Connecting Decent Work to Sustainable Growth (Dr. Nicole Goldin's intervention at HLPF 2025): https://unu.edu/cpr/news/connecting-decent-work-sustainable-growth
4. Multilateralism Meeting the Moment: Moving forward from FFD4: https://unu.edu/cpr/blog-post/multilateralism-meeting-moment-moving-forward-ffd4