Chinese premier calls for early formation of global AI governance framework – Xinhua

Report on the 2025 World AI Conference: A Call for Global AI Governance Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

At the 2025 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance held in Shanghai, Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered a keynote address emphasizing the urgent need for international cooperation in the governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Premier’s speech underscored the importance of aligning AI development with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on building global partnerships (SDG 17), fostering innovation (SDG 9), and reducing inequalities (SDG 10). A central proposal was the establishment of a global AI cooperation organization to create a universally accepted framework for the technology’s development and application.

Advancing Global Governance and Partnerships (SDG 16 & SDG 17)

Premier Li Qiang’s address centered on the critical need for joint international governance to manage the rapid evolution of AI. This call to action directly supports SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by advocating for effective and accountable global frameworks, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by promoting multilateral cooperation.

• Call for a Global Framework: A primary recommendation was the early formation of a global framework and rules with broad consensus to guide AI development and ensure it remains a tool controlled by and for humanity.
• Proposed Global AI Cooperation Organization: The Chinese government formally proposed the creation of a dedicated international body to facilitate ongoing dialogue and cooperation on AI governance.
• Chinese Commitment: China affirmed its commitment to actively promoting multilateral and bilateral cooperation, expressing a willingness to contribute “Chinese solutions” to the global governance challenge.

Fostering Sustainable Innovation and Economic Growth (SDG 9)

The conference acknowledged AI’s role as a new engine for economic growth and a catalyst for innovation, aligning with the objectives of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Premier Li noted the rapid progress in AI, while also highlighting the imperative to balance development with security.

Key Technological Advancements Noted:

• Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Multimodal Large Models
• Embodied AI

The Premier stressed that while AI is empowering various industries and entering households, the associated risks and challenges require a concerted global effort to establish a secure and sustainable development path.

Promoting Inclusivity and Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10)

A significant theme of the address was ensuring that the benefits of AI are shared globally, with a particular focus on supporting developing nations. This commitment directly addresses SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by advocating for equitable access to technology and capacity building.

China’s Commitments to Global Equity:

1. Universal Access: Efforts must be made to ensure universal access to AI so that more countries and groups can benefit from its potential.
2. Support for the Global South: China expressed its willingness to share its AI development experience and technological products to help countries, especially in the Global South, strengthen their capacity building.
3. Cooperation on Innovation: China stands ready to undertake joint technical research and will be more open in sharing open-source technology and products to foster global innovation.

Conference Outcomes

The conference, attended by over 1,000 officials and representatives, concluded with the issuance of an action plan for global AI governance. This plan, along with the proposals for enhanced international cooperation, marks a significant step toward creating an AI ecosystem that is not only technologically advanced but also equitable, secure, and aligned with the global sustainable development agenda.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the 2025 World AI Conference highlights issues that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals. The primary SDGs addressed are:

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The article emphasizes AI as a driver of innovation and economic growth, its role in empowering industries, and the importance of international cooperation in technological research and development.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The call for global AI governance, the creation of a global framework and rules, and the proposal for a “global AI cooperation organization” directly relate to building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at the global level to manage a powerful new technology.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The entire article is framed around the need for global partnerships. It mentions multilateral and bilateral cooperation, multi-stakeholder engagement (government, industry, academia), and specific offers of South-South cooperation to share technology and build capacity in developing nations.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure):
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research and upgrade technological capabilities. The article’s call for “cooperation on innovation to achieve more groundbreaking results” and to “undertake joint technical research with other countries” directly supports this target.
   • Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research, and innovation in developing countries. China’s offer to “help countries around the world — especially those in the Global South — to strengthen their capacity building” aligns with this target.
2. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The proposal to create a “global AI cooperation organization” and the call for the “early formation of a global framework and rules that have broad consensus” are direct efforts to establish such institutions for AI governance.
3. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation. The article’s focus on “multilateral and bilateral cooperation,” “joint technical research,” and China’s willingness to “share its AI development experience and technological products” with the Global South is a clear example of promoting this target.
   • Target 17.9: Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries. The specific pledge to “help countries around the world — especially those in the Global South — to strengthen their capacity building” directly addresses this target.
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships. The conference itself, involving “officials and representatives of industries, universities and research institutes,” exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership to advance global AI governance.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several actions and outcomes that can serve as indicators to measure progress:

• Establishment of a global AI cooperation organization: This is a direct, measurable outcome mentioned in the article that would indicate progress towards Target 16.6 (effective institutions).
• Formation of a global framework and rules for AI: The successful creation and adoption of such a framework would be a key indicator for Target 16.6.
• Issuance and implementation of the “action plan for global AI governance”: The article explicitly states that an action plan was issued at the conference. Its implementation and impact would be a measurable indicator.
• Number of joint technical research initiatives: Progress towards Target 9.5 could be measured by tracking the number of collaborative research projects initiated as a result of the proposed cooperation.
• Sharing of open-source technology and products: The article mentions China’s readiness to be “more open in sharing open-source technology and products.” The volume and impact of this sharing can be tracked as an indicator for Target 17.6.
• Number of developing countries receiving capacity-building support: Progress on Target 17.9 can be measured by the number of countries, particularly in the Global South, that receive assistance from China to build their AI capabilities.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: english.news.cn