High-level Multi-stakeholder Informal Meeting to Launch the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance
Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia H.E. Margus Tsahkna
25 September 2025, New York
Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
AI is transforming societies faster than many governments and institutions can adapt. Estonia welcomes the adoption of the Global Digital Compact last year and the launch of the Dialogue and the Panel on AI governance. These are important steps towards building international cooperation that is agile, responsive, and inclusive.
AI brings opportunities to improve healthcare, education, disaster response and climate resilience, and to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. But it also presents risks: algorithmic bias, malicious use, threats to privacy and security, and the danger of widening divides. For Estonia, international law, human rights, and gender equality must guide our response, ensuring that AI is trustworthy and human-centric.
Estonia supports non-binding global principles for AI governance. We support inclusive, transparent, multidisciplinary, and multistakeholder AI governance that is compatible with the EU AI Act. Human rights must be respected, protected and promoted throughout the life cycle of AI systems. At the same time encouraging their use for positive societal impact, including disaster response, healthcare improvement, and addressing global challenges.
Our national experience shows that trust in digital governance comes from partnership between government, the technology community, academia and civil society. In Estonia, digital identity and e-governance have empowered citizens and built trust. This year, at the Tallinn Digital Summit on 9-10 October, Estonia is placing a special focus on artificial intelligence, bringing together global leaders and experts to advance inclusive and forward-looking AI governance. We also stress the importance of digital literacy and capacity-building, so that both policymakers and citizens can meaningfully engage with AI.
Excellencies,
For Estonia, the way forward is clear: international AI governance must be human-centric, rights-based, innovation-friendly and globally inclusive. The launch of this dialogue gives us a unique opportunity to ensure that AI strengthens democracy, equality, and sustainable development worldwide.
Thank you