The UN's Global Digital Compact will likely play a key role in eliminating socioeconomic inequalities, as open-source Artificial Intelligence (AI) has great potential to reduce the digital divide, according to Tawfic Jelassi, the Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information at UNESCO.
In an interview with China Global Television Network(CGTN), Jelassi stressed that the compact, proposed by the United Nations Common Agenda and adopted at the UN Summit of the Future in 2024, places the fight against inequality at its heart. "We believe that the adoption of the Global Digital Compact is significant towards ensuring that AI benefits humanity at large while helping to reduce socioeconomic inequalities within and among countries. This is obviously what was stated in the Sustainable Development Goal Number 10, which calls for reducing inequality. So, the compact itself calls the international community to build capacities, especially in developing countries, to access, develop, use and govern AI systems and direct them towards the pursuit of sustainable development," said Jelassi.
While AI has the potential to foster economic growth, he noted, the benefits may not spread evenly if global actors are left to their own devices.
"Artificial Intelligence holds the potential to foster economic growth. The evidence shows that these gains are expected to be concentrated in few leading economies. This is why our work is so far from being finished. The hardest part, actually the implementation is still to be rolled out," he said.
The assistant director-general also warned that AI is a double-edged sword, capable of leveling the global playing field while also introducing hefty risks.
"We believe that open source technologies, especially in the field of AI, have a great potential to reduce the digital divide and also to foster equitable access to technology. UNESCO will continue to support its 194 member states in implementing open solutions for sustainable development including efforts to strengthen data governance mechanisms and remove barriers to open science. And these are aimed at closing the digital, technological and knowledge gaps that exist nowadays. However, open source AI also raises significant concerns such as the irreversibility of release, potential security risks from unsecured models, but also the lack of control over misuse through fine tuning," Jelassi said.
Global Digital Compact key to reducing inequalities among nations: UNESCO official
Leaders of seven European countries on Tuesday reaffirmed that Greenland "belongs to its people," stressing that issues concerning Denmark and Greenland must be decided solely by Denmark and Greenland, according to a joint statement.
The statement, released by Denmark's Prime Minister's Office, was signed by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
"Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," the statement said.
The leaders underscored that Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and is critical for international and transatlantic security. They noted that NATO has made clear the Arctic region is a priority and that European allies are increasing their presence there.
The statement noted that the Kingdom of Denmark, including Greenland, is part of NATO, and said security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively with NATO allies, including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.
Calling the United States an "essential partner," the leaders also referred to the 1951 defence agreement between Denmark and the United States.
The Prime Minister of Greenland Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Tuesday that Greenland is open to dialogue and discussions with the U.S., but "they must take place through the proper channels and in respect of international law."
The PM also urged respect from the U.S. side, saying "Our country is not an object in great power rhetoric." Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who was appointed by President Donald Trump last month as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland, said that Trump "supports an independent Greenland with economic ties and trade opportunities for the United States," Reuters reported.
Trump said in a telephone interview on Sunday with The Atlantic that the United States "absolutely" needs Greenland. He also discussed the U.S. intervention in Venezuela.
Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in gaining control of Greenland, saying that he would not rule out using "military or economic coercion" to achieve that goal.
European leaders reaffirm Greenland sovereignty, stress Arctic security
European leaders reaffirm Greenland sovereignty, stress Arctic security
