UNHRC Adopts First AI Resolution; Bangladesh Is Penholder

The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted by consensus its first resolution specifically addressing the implications of artificial intelligence for human rights, with Bangladesh serving as the penholder and a main sponsor of the initiative.

The resolution, titled “Implications of Artificial Intelligence for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights”, was adopted during the ongoing 63rd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Bangladesh joined fellow Core Group members Algeria, Austria, Egypt, Greece, Guyana, Kuwait and Nepal in advancing the initiative. The Council’s official records list all eight countries as the main sponsors of draft resolution A/HRC/63/L.25, which was adopted without a vote.

Guided by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the initiative was first presented before the Council in August 2026 by then Ambassador and Permanent Representative Nahida Sobhan on behalf of the Core Group.

Since then, the Core Group has pursued an open, inclusive and constructive process of engagement with member states and relevant stakeholders.

The consensus adoption marks a step forward in the Council’s consideration of the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and human rights, with the initiative placing emphasis on human dignity, development, inclusion and international cooperation.

The resolution comes amid growing international attention to the human rights implications of artificial intelligence, including concerns related to privacy, discrimination, accountability and other potential impacts of AI systems.

The initiative also highlights Bangladesh’s role in multilateral discussions on emerging technologies, development and human rights.

Bangladesh underscored that continued constructive engagement and cooperation among member states and stakeholders will remain important as work on AI and human rights moves forward.