Global Dialogue on AI Governance (UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/79/325)
Issued by
United Nations General Assembly
- September 30, 2026 · Correction — Added the date the General Assembly adopted the resolution (26 August 2025). (Cody Maxwell)
- September 30, 2026 · Correction — Updated the entry now that submissions closed and the first Dialogue met in July 2026, and corrected what the submissions informed (fact-check finding). (Cody Maxwell)
- October 1, 2026 · Correction — Rewrote the practical steps, newsletter hook, search description, and audience fields to match the entry's corrected content. (Cody Maxwell)
UN Resolution A/RES/79/325 established the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, open to states and other stakeholders. The first Dialogue met in Geneva on 6 and 7 July 2026, informed by 1,532 written submissions. The second is set for New York on 3 and 4 May 2027.
Applies To
Overview
Resolution A/RES/79/325, adopted by the UN General Assembly, creates a structured multilateral process for deliberating on AI governance at the global level. The framework is designed to be inclusive, inviting submissions from member states, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, academia, and civil society. The dialogue aims to surface diverse perspectives on AI risks, opportunities, and governance gaps that existing national and regional frameworks may not address consistently. Written submissions, which closed on 30 April 2026, informed the agenda of the first Dialogue in Geneva on 6 and 7 July 2026. Its outcome was a Co-Chairs' Summary, not recommendations for the General Assembly to adopt. The second Dialogue is set for New York on 3 and 4 May 2027. The framework does not yet carry binding legal force; its authority is consultative and norm-shaping in nature. Outcomes may feed into future treaty negotiations, voluntary commitments, or General Assembly resolutions with broader normative impact.
Key Requirements
- •Written submissions for the first Dialogue closed on 30 April 2026, and 1,532 were received.
- •Submissions should address identified AI governance challenges, gaps, and priorities as defined in Resolution A/RES/79/325.
- •No binding compliance obligations are currently attached; participation is voluntary for all non-state stakeholders.
- •Intergovernmental bodies and specialized UN agencies are expected to coordinate submissions through established UN protocols.
- •Enterprises and civil society organizations participating should document their submissions for internal governance records, as outputs may inform future binding instruments.
- •No financial penalties or enforcement mechanisms are in place at this stage; the framework operates on a deliberative, consensus-building basis.
What Your Organization Must Do
- →Track the second Dialogue in New York on 3 and 4 May 2027 for agenda and outputs.
- →Read the Co-Chairs' Summary from the Geneva Dialogue held on 6 and 7 July 2026.
- →Retain your organization's written submission, since the first submission window closed on 30 April 2026.
- →Tell leadership that participation is voluntary and carries no penalties or enforcement at this stage.
- →Check that public policy positions stay consistent with what your organization submitted to the UN.
- →Watch for any future treaty talks, voluntary commitments or resolutions that could follow this process.
Playbook Guidance
Step-by-step implementation guidance for compliance teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the submission deadline for the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance?
- Submissions for the first Dialogue closed on 30 April 2026, and the portal is now shut. The UN received 1,532 submissions, which informed the agenda of the Geneva Dialogue in July 2026.
- Is participation in the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance mandatory for private companies?
- No. Participation is entirely voluntary for all non-state stakeholders, including private sector organizations, academia, and civil society. There are no binding compliance obligations or financial penalties attached to the framework at this stage.
- Can outputs from the GDAG process become legally binding in the future?
- Not directly, but the dialogue is explicitly designed to inform future instruments. Contributions may feed into treaty negotiations, voluntary commitments, or subsequent General Assembly resolutions that could carry broader normative or binding force. Organizations should monitor outputs through 2026 and beyond.
- How does the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance differ from the EU AI Act?
- The EU AI Act is a binding regulation with enforceable obligations and financial penalties. The UN Global Dialogue is consultative and norm-shaping, with no current enforcement mechanisms. Its outputs may eventually influence international instruments, but it does not impose direct legal requirements on organizations today.
- Who is eligible to submit contributions to the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance?
- Eligible participants include UN member states, intergovernmental organizations, private sector entities, academic institutions, and civil society organizations. The framework is intentionally broad to surface diverse perspectives on AI risks and governance gaps across regions and sectors.
- Why should compliance teams retain a copy of their organization's submission to the GDAG portal?
- Submissions helped shape the first Dialogue's agenda, and the UN keeps them accessible. Your own copy lets you show that later policy positions match what you submitted.