Mr President,

We thank Greece, France, and Korea for convening this important meeting. We thank today’s briefers.

Germany aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union.

I would like to add a few additional points in my national capacity:

First, AI poses new opportunities and risks to maintaining peace and security. International cooperation and improved governance of AI must be the way forward. AI offers ample opportunities to enhance U.N. peace and security efforts. It can provide for better situational awareness in peacekeeping operations and help in detecting and defending against cyber-attacks on the UN system. At the same time, AI can be used maliciously. Massive AI-driven cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns have already proven to be tremendous challenges to the UN and some of its member states. Collective action is crucial to address these challenges. It is key that all countries and regions are involved in the AI discussion in the same way. We view the planned initiatives under the Global Digital Compact’s implementation as vital components of this global effort.

Second, we believe a human rights-based and human-centered approach must always be at the heart of the discussions on AI. Apart from the Global Digital Compact, the Council of Europe’s Convention on AI and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law stands as the first international treaty open to all for accession.

Third, AI is already firmly established in the military domain. We consider it fundamental that compliance with international law is ensured throughout the lifecycle of any weapons system, including those based on AI applications. We welcome the valuable and complementary international initiatives that aim to ensure the responsible use of AI in the military domain. We will continue to actively engage: Germany was among the core group of co-sponsors of the AIMD [AI in the military domain] resolution in 2024, and we look forward in particular to examining the UNSG’s report on military AI.

Finally, I would like to highlight the upcoming UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin. The high-level political discussions on the future of peacekeeping will include opportunities to explore how new technologies, such as AI, can enhance the effectiveness of UN peace operations, improve the safety and security of peacekeepers, and promote information integrity in mission contexts. We have provided more than USD 5 million in extrabudgetary funding to UNDPO on this issue.

I thank you.