Closing Remarks by Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos,
Under-Secretary-General and High Representative
for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC),
at the Lisbon Forum 2025:
“AI and Global Governance – Rights, Retrospectivity and Readiness”
Your Excellency, Mr. Alian Breset,
Secretary-General of the Council of Europe;
Your Excellency, Mr. Augustin Kibassa Maliba,
Minister of Digital Economy of the Democratic Republic of Congo;
Your Excellency Ms Ines Domingos,
Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs;
Your Excellency Ambassador Francesca Camilleri Vettiger,
Permanent Representative of Malta to the Council of Europe amd President of the Ministers’ Deputies of the Council of Europe;
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
As this year’s Lisbon Forum to a close, allow me first to warmly thank the Council of Europe and its North-South Centre for inviting me to address the closing session. I also commend them for convening such a timely and forward-looking discussion on AI and Global Governance.
Over the past two days, this Forum has once again demonstrated its value as a space for inclusive and multidisciplinary dialogue — one that brings together policymakers, experts, civil society, and youth to address some of the most complex questions of our time.
Artificial Intelligence, is transforming not only how we communicate, learn, and work — but also how we understand ourselves as human beings and as members of one interconnected global community.
It is clear that AI is not merely a technical or regulatory issue. It is also a cultural and civic phenomenon — one that touches our languages, ethics, and social norms.
It compels us to reflect on the kind of societies we wish to build, and on the values that must guide technological progress in a rapidly changing world.
As participants have emphasized, the governance of Artificial Intelligence must be anchored in human-centered principles.
We must ensure that AI systems promote inclusivity rather than exclusion; empowerment rather than marginalization.
The three pillars framing this Forum — Rights, Retrospectivity, and Readiness — or the three Rs form a solid foundation for this endeavor:
Rights, because the protection of human dignity and fundamental freedoms must remain the cornerstone of any digital transformation;
Retrospectivity, because AI will only be as fair as the diversity of the data, perspectives, and cultures it reflects;
And Readiness, because the pace of innovation demands not only technical preparedness, but also ethical, educational, and institutional readiness.
In this context, I wish to commend the Council of Europe for adopting the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law — a landmark instrument that provides the first international legally binding framework for the responsible development and use of AI. It is an important step forward in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of individuals while upholding democratic values and accountability in the digital sphere.
For the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, these concerns are integral elements that we delved into. In the past 2 years, UNAOC convened two Global Dialogues on “AI with a human-centered approach or AI for humanity”.
These dialogues brought together policymakers, industry experts,, and academicians from all regions to reflect on how we can align technological innovation with human values. Their collective message was clear: algorithms are never neutral. They are neither democratic nor transparent. We don’t know who created them. They reflect the priorities, assumptions, and cultural biases of their anonymous creators.
If AI is to serve humanity equitably, it must be informed by diversity, empathy, and a commitment to shared ethical standards. Our Geneva discussions underscored that readiness cannot be defined solely by infrastructure or access to technology. It must also include ethical readiness — the ability to exercise critical judgment, empathy, and civic responsibility in designing and applying AI systems.
The Lisbon Forum’s focus on Inclusive and Multicultural AI resonates deeply with this perspective.
Intercultural dialogue — the very foundation of UNAOC’s mission — is not peripheral to AI governance; it is central to ensuring that technology reflects and serves the plurality of our world.
When AI systems fail to represent the diversity of languages, narratives, and identities, they risk entrenching inequality and bias. But when grounded in pluralism and inclusion, they can become powerful tools for cooperation, mutual understanding, and sustainable peace.
The path ahead requires coordination across borders, disciplines, and institutions.
In this regard, the United Nations Global Digital Compact offer an important opportunity to establish a shared vision for an open, free, and secure digital future — one that places human rights, accountability, and inclusion at its core.
The Compact, together with frameworks such as the Council of Europe’s Convention, demonstrates that the international community is capable of shaping technology in line with the universal principles of democracy, justice, and equality.
Such initiatives reinforce the need for multilateralism — not only as a mechanism of governance, but as a mindset rooted in dialogue, trust, and shared responsibility.
Looking ahead, it is clear that AI will profoundly shape the trajectory of our societies. But the moral compass guiding that transformation remains firmly in human hands.
We must therefore build bridges between innovators and policymakers, between the public and private sectors, and between the global North and South. We must also invest in intercultural education, ethical literacy, and public trust — the foundations of what I would call digital coexistence.
As we conclude this Forum, let us reaffirm a simple truth: the ultimate purpose of Artificial Intelligence is not to replace human intelligence, but to enhance human potential.
Let us continue working together to ensure that AI reflects the richness of our diversity, protects the integrity of our shared humanity, and contributes to a more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable world.
Concluding, I congratulate you for your successful forum.
May the spirit of Lisbon continue to inspire our collective efforts — towards an Artificial Intelligence that truly serves one humanity.
Thank you.