Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, Opening Ceremony
Remarks by Co-Chair H.E. Rein Tammsaar, Permanent Representative of Estonia to the UN
Geneva, 6 July 2026
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
Let me start by extending a very warm welcome to the nearly 4,000 stakeholders joining the Dialogue. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the SG Guterres and to PGA Baerbock for their trust and support, and to the government of Switzerland for hosting us. Huge thanks to fellow Co-Chair, Ambassador López of El Salvador, whose partnership has been invaluable. I also recognise the role of the Joint Secretariat in helping to transform the mandate entrusted to us by Member States into the Dialogue we are opening now.
AI is already affecting every country, regardless of its level of technological development. The conversation on its governance must therefore be inclusive, including every region, every level of development, and every relevant stakeholder. No one should be left behind, as we make better informed decisions when more voices are heard.
Our responsibility as Co-Chairs has been to create an inclusive, universal platform, where diverse perspectives can be heard, where scientific knowledge can be shared, political and technological deliberations can advance, and where trust and common understanding can grow.
Throughout our global consultations, we’ve heard that the opportunities AI offer can only be fully realized if this technology is safe, grounded in the international law and human rights, and if people themselves can shape it to be confident that AI serves them. Lesson learnt from my country – Estonia – is the same: digital tools, including AI, can improve people’s daily lives tremendously, when human-centred, trustworthy, and supported by strong public institutions. Technology alone is never enough.
Distinguished participants,
Over the next two days, we will explore what AI governance means in practice. Objective is not to eliminate differences, but to better understand them, identify areas of convergence, collect best practices, and strengthen the foundations for future international cooperation. I very much hope that Dialogue can spark a San Francisco moment for AI and that one-day AI would become a part of the public good, benefitting all of humanity.
With that, I wish us all a productive Global Dialogue on AI Governance. Thank you.