Doha: Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Dr. Khaled El Enany has affirmed that navigating the challenges associated with artificial intelligence and its governance requires nothing short of international collaboration and combined global efforts. He stressed that no country could have achieved that alone amid the rapid evolution of these technologies and their impact on communities.

According to Qatar News Agency, El Enany was speaking ahead of the launch of the 4th UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI 2026 in Riyadh next week, bringing together decision-makers, experts, academics, representatives of international organizations, as well as public- and private-sector representatives from around the globe. The forum is an opportunity to galvanize international cooperation and help global AI governance keep pace with rapid innovation, El Enany continued, welcoming efforts to reinforce the ethical use of these technologies.

He pointed out that, five years after UNESCO member states adopted the world's first global standard on AI ethics, countries around the world are increasingly moving to turn ethical principles into concrete policies, strategies, and institutions. Ethics aren't confined to damage prevention, El Enany recalled, stressing that they also include ensuring AI remains at the service of people and serves as a driver of sustainable development and the public interest.

The four-day forum is poised to address AI ethics, governance and capacity-building, as well as responsible innovation and international policies. It will likewise explore global initiatives and experiences aimed at strengthening international dialogue on ways to responsibly leverage AI for the benefit of communities and sustainable development.