Global leaders commit to responsible AI for sustainable development
Hamburg, 2 June 2025 — At the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC), global leaders from the public sector, business, science, and civil society have jointly endorsed the ‘Hamburg Declaration on Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’. The landmark initiative – the first global declaration focused specifically on AI in international development – outlines shared principles and commitments to promote the equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development and deployment of artificial intelligence worldwide, with particular emphasis on empowering developing countries.
The Declaration centres on ensuring that AI technologies uphold human rights, serve and protect marginalized communities, and combat disinformation. Co-signatories further commit to improving the resource efficiency of AI systems, expanding access to AI education for women and girls, and supporting the growth of local AI innovations in developing countries.
Addressing global challenges together
Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator
Artificial Intelligence is one of the most transformative forces of our time, yet its potential remains unrealized for most developing countries. The Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for Sustainable Development represents a crucial commitment to harnessing AI responsibly, ensuring it promotes equity, connects communities, and addresses global inequalities. The Declaration underscores our collective responsibility. Our task now is to ensure AI’s extraordinary capabilities drive sustainable development, benefiting everyone, everywhere, equally.
Achim Steiner, UNDP-Administrator
Reem Alabali-Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, BMZ
Improving access to fair and sustainable AI worldwide is one of the great challenges of our time. Too many people remain excluded from the benefits of digital innovation. The Hamburg Declaration marks a turning point — AI must become a force for good, a driver of inclusion, equality, and sustainable development.
Reem Alabali-Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, BMZ
From commitment to action
The Declaration is the result of extensive collaborations that began at HSC 2024. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), introduced a set of principles for leveraging AI responsibly for sustainable development. Over the last year, a series of inclusive, multi-stakeholder engagements have further strengthened this shared vision. The result is a rallying call for global collaboration, challenging governments, businesses, and civil society to turn commitment into action—by investing in inclusive and sustainable AI, supporting local innovation, and ensuring no region is excluded from the digital future.
The path forward requires collective effort: only through coordinated global action can AI be harnessed responsibly to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and create a more equitable digital future for all.
About the Hamburg Sustainability Conference:
The HSC is a global platform convening changemakers from across sectors to co-create solutions for a sustainable world. It is organized by BMZ, UNDP, the Michael Otto Foundation, and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. The 2025 conference takes place on 2–3 June in Hamburg, Germany.
Media Contact
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