The United Nations (UN) is spearheading a Global Dialogue on AI Governance, a significant initiative aimed at fostering international cooperation in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. This dialogue convenes all 193 UN member states, alongside representatives from the private sector, civil society, academia, and the tech industry, to share best practices and establish common approaches to AI governance.
The inaugural meeting of this dialogue is scheduled for July in Geneva. Discussions will be informed by data prepared by the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, another key UN AI initiative, which is co-led by Nobel laureate Maria Ressa and computer scientist Yoshua Bengio.
‘Science and evidence-based’ Approach
Amandeep Gill, the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, emphasized that policy discussions will be “science and evidence-based,” incorporating diverse perspectives. “Policy discussions need to be this way, and the UN is proud to facilitate this first major convergence between science and policy in this rapidly advancing technology,” Gill stated.
Ahead of the UN’s AI governance meeting in Switzerland, discussions are underway among all stakeholders to ensure national initiatives on the optimal use of technology are shared. Co-chairs Egriselda López and Rein Tammsaar announced that priorities for the Swiss meeting include promoting respect for human rights, establishing safety measures to prevent harm from technology, and addressing a significant AI access gap.
In responses to media inquiries, the co-chairs and Mr. Gill clarified that while military uses of AI would not be debated, general security and human rights concerns would be addressed. They highlighted the UN’s potential to serve as a global hub for sharing best practices and advancing an action-oriented, inclusive approach to AI governance.
Shifting Migration Routes Claim More Lives, UN Agency Warns
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that approximately 8,000 migrants died or went missing worldwide in 2025, bringing the total number of recorded deaths since 2014 to over 82,000. New data from IOM’s Missing Migrants Project and the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) indicate that while migrant arrivals have decreased in some regions, migration routes are changing rather than becoming safer. Sanctions and conflicts are pushing individuals into longer, more fragmented, and increasingly perilous journeys.
IOM Director Amy Pope stated, “Routes are changing due to conflict, climate pressures, and policy changes, but the risks remain very real.” Pope underscored that an estimated 340,000 family members are directly affected by these disappearances.
Significant Shifts Noted
The report highlights significant changes: northbound movements from Central America and arrivals in the Canary Islands have declined, while journeys have become more geographically dispersed. In Europe, Bangladeshi nationals have become the largest group of arrivals, coinciding with a decrease in Syrian migrants. Ahead of the International Migration Review Forum in May, the IOM calls for stronger international cooperation. The organization stresses that lower arrival numbers do not equate to safer journeys and urges continued investment in evidence-based responses to save lives and support affected families.
Actress Lucy Hale Appointed New WFP Goodwill Ambassador
American actress and producer Lucy Hale, known for her role in the popular television series Pretty Little Liars, has been appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN agency, the World Food Programme (WFP). Hale will advocate on behalf of the more than 318 million people facing extreme hunger worldwide.
Hale, the daughter of a Tennessee farmer and nurse, has previously raised her voice for women and children and prioritizes food security, the health and education of smallholder farmers, and children.
An Honor, Passion, and Commitment
Lucy Hale expressed, “Becoming a WFP Goodwill Ambassador is the honor of my life. It has been a long-held dream of mine to give back in this way, and I am eager to shine a light on the critical work WFP is doing to save and transform lives around the globe.” Hale has been raising awareness and support for WFP’s efforts in locations such as Sudan, Gaza, Myanmar, and Ukraine since 2024.
WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain commented, “In a world where so many go to bed hungry, we are fortunate to have someone as passionate and dedicated as Lucy partner with us. Her voice will bring attention to the people and places often overlooked and drive the action needed to support them.”
Hale joins a distinguished group of WFP Goodwill Ambassadors, including American actress Kate Hudson, fashion designer Michael Kors, Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur, and Canadian singer Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd).
