The Second Meeting of the 13th Expert Mechanism Session on the Right to Development Focuses on AI, Cultural Rights, and the Right to Development

IPPO, United Nations, April 22 （Reporter: Li Shihui） The second meeting of the 13th Expert Mechanism Session on the Right to Development was held in Conference Room 6 of the United Nations Headquarters in New York on local time April 22. The theme of the meeting was "Artificial Intelligence, Cultural Rights, and the Right to Development," and it was chaired by K. Mahmutaj, a member of the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development. Representatives from multiple countries gathered to jointly discuss the applications and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in the fields of the right to development and cultural rights.

Sun Lei, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, pointed out in his speech that the theme of this meeting was timely and hit the nail on the head. AI is redefining the way development is advanced, the way culture is protected, and the way governance is promoted. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development, development is an inalienable human right for all people, and AI should serve as a driving force for inclusive development, benefiting everyone.

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Sun Lei shared practical cases of China's AI development. A Chinese AI start-up focuses on providing personalized and adaptable learning devices for students in underdeveloped areas in China and other developing countries. Within just two years, the company's services have reached hundreds of thousands of students, embodying China's people-oriented, inclusive, and fair philosophy in AI development. This philosophy is based on China's Global Development Initiative, which aims to address the needs of developing countries and solve the problem of uneven development. China is willing to share its experiences and technologies to help countries in the Global South strengthen their capacity building.

Regarding cultural rights, Sun Lei emphasized that AI should act as a catalyst for cultural dialogue and enhance cultural diversity. If not properly managed, AI could lead to cultural convergence. China's Global Civilization Initiative advocates respecting cultural diversity, treating all cultures equally, and promoting cultural dialogue. China has also proposed the Inclusive Plan for AI Capacity Building, committing to collaborating with various countries in developing AI language or data resources, eliminating racial and cultural discrimination, and protecting and promoting cultural diversity.

In addition, Sun Lei pointed out that the development of AI should be based on robust global governance. In 2023, China proposed the Global Initiative on AI Governance, emphasizing that all countries should enjoy equal rights, opportunities, and rules, and calling for a greater commitment to multilateralism. China supports the United Nations in playing a central role in formulating AI governance frameworks and standards and looks forward to cooperating with all stakeholders to ensure a fair and just governance system.

崔国卫（国际爱国公约组织创始人）

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Cui Guowei, the founder of the Shaanxi Patriotic Volunteer Association and the International Patriotic Pact Organization (IPPO), stated in his speech that since proposing the concept of "Loving One's Own Country Without Harming Other Nations' Interests" at the 51st session of the Human Rights Council in 2022, it has attracted 298 non-governmental organizations from 68 countries around the world to jointly sign the International Patriotic Pact and proposed the "nation’s rights to development review" mechanism.

Cui Guowei pointed out that the current global AI ecosystem is facing a crisis of "a high degree of asymmetry between data resources and technological capital." If the "technological patriotism" of a few countries evolves into the plundering of data resources from developing countries, and if algorithmic hegemony suppresses the "cognitive diversity" of indigenous knowledge and non-Western civilizations, it will violate cultural rights and trample on the nation’s rights to development.

To address this, he proposed a solution based on a "new type of international patriotism," calling for the introduction of the "nation’s rights to development review" mechanism into the global AI governance framework. This mechanism will be measured from two dimensions: compliance and mutual assistance. It will review whether countries' AI development strategies conduct "human rights impact assessments" and respect the cultural sovereignty of other countries; and ensure that technologically advanced countries help countries in the Global South bridge the digital divide through technology transfer and capacity building, achieving fair benefit-sharing.

Cui Guowei emphasized that AI technology should not become a tool for neo-colonialism. The advocated International Patriotic Pact aims to build a community with a shared future for mankind. He suggested that the Human Rights Council adopt this review mechanism so that the concept of "Loving One's Own Country Without Harming Other Nations' Interests" can be transformed from an idea into an institutional reality that safeguards global digital justice.

This meeting provided a platform for representatives from various countries to exchange ideas and cooperate, jointly exploring the applications and challenges of AI in the fields of the right to development and cultural rights. It offered valuable insights for promoting global AI governance and protecting the right to development. All parties look forward to continuing to strengthen cooperation in the future to jointly address the opportunities and challenges brought about by AI.