Global authority figures pledge support for ethical AI development aimed at promoting sustainable growth
The Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC) concluded on June 3, 2025, with a significant milestone: the adoption of the Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This landmark declaration marks the first global multi-stakeholder initiative focusing on ethical AI in the context of international development cooperation [1][2][3].
The Hamburg Declaration, a comprehensive ethical framework, establishes a global benchmark for the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies, aligned with the 2030 Agenda's five core principles: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership [1]. Over 40 global partners, including governments, international organizations, civil society groups, and private sector actors, formally endorsed the Declaration at the conference [3][4].
The Declaration underscores the importance of empowering low- and middle-income countries, ensuring they are not left behind in the digital transformation, and fostering local AI innovation [2][3]. It emphasizes expanding access to AI education, particularly for women and girls, to bridge the digital divide and drive sustainable development [2][3].
The Declaration outlines four core commitments and actions: human rights and inclusivity, sustainable development and the environment, transparency and accountability, and cross-sector collaboration [1][4]. AI systems must uphold human rights, serve marginalized communities, combat disinformation, and promote gender equality and inclusive participation [1][4].
The Declaration also commits to leveraging AI to address urgent challenges such as climate change, public health, social equity, and environmental stewardship [1][4]. It calls for openness in AI deployment to build trust and ensure ethical use, including accountability for AI’s social and environmental consequences [1][4]. The Declaration encourages coordinated global efforts from various sectors to deploy AI responsibly and sustainably [3].
UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner stated that the Declaration represents a crucial commitment to harnessing AI responsibly for sustainable development. He emphasized that AI is a transformative force, yet its potential remains unrealized for many developing countries. The Declaration aims to ensure AI benefits all people equally and addresses global inequalities [2].
The Hamburg Declaration is a global call to action, placing AI at the service of the SDGs in a human-centric way. It resonates with other international frameworks such as the Global Digital Compact and the AI Action Summit outcomes [5]. The HSC emphasizes the need for coordinated global action to harness AI responsibly for sustainable development [6].
In summary, the Hamburg Declaration provides a comprehensive ethical framework and a set of voluntary commitments by global stakeholders for the equitable, inclusive, and sustainable use of AI technologies to advance the SDGs worldwide, with particular attention on empowering developing nations and addressing societal and environmental challenges through responsible AI governance [1][3][4]. The HSC's focus areas include investment in inclusive and sustainable AI, supporting local innovation, and global cooperation [7]. The path forward requires collective effort for responsible harnessing of AI to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals [8]. The HSC supports local innovation and ensures no region is excluded from the digital future [9]. The Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC) is a global platform for co-creating solutions for a sustainable world [10].
- The Hamburg Declaration, a global benchmark, establishes a comprehensive ethical framework for the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies, aligned with the SDGs' five core principles.
- The Declaration emphasizes expanding access to AI education, particularly for women and girls, to bridge the digital divide and drive sustainable development.
- AI systems, according to the Declaration, must uphold human rights, serve marginalized communities, combat disinformation, and promote gender equality and inclusive participation.
- The Hamburg Declaration calls for openness in AI deployment, accountability for AI’s social and environmental consequences, and encourages coordinated global efforts from various sectors to deploy AI responsibly and sustainably, especially in empowering developing nations and addressing societal and environmental challenges.
