The UN Development Programme (UNDP), the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany, and more than 40 representatives of governments, private sector organizations, civil society, and research institutions endorsed a declaration seeking to shape human-centric, human rights-based, inclusive, open, sustainable, and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) for the SDGs.

The Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the SDGs – the first global declaration focused specifically on AI in development – outlines shared principles and commitments to promote the equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development through worldwide deployment of AI, with an emphasis on empowering developing countries. To deliver on the Declaration’s priorities, the signatories take on a set of voluntary commitments to deliver for people, the planet, prosperity, peace, and partnerships, in alignment with other international efforts, including the Pact for the Future’s Global Digital Compact and the outcomes of the AI Action Summit.

The signatories undertake to advance human rights, gender equality, and inclusivity (people) by promoting human rights-based and human-centered AI, enabling equity and inclusive participation, and ensuring trust, safety, and protection from harm.

To support climate action and environmental stewardship (planet), the signatories commit to: advancing green computing; leveraging AI to accelerate climate action and advance sustainability and environmental solutions; and promoting transparency and accountability in AI’s environmental impact.

In an effort to ensure that AI systems support economic growth, innovation, and equity (prosperity), the signatories will build sustainable AI and data infrastructure to support economic growth, use AI as an engine for economic growth and local innovation, and invest in skills development and workforce readiness.

To ensure integrity and cohesive societies (peace), the signatories commit to preserving and promoting information integrity while safeguarding public trust and promoting safe digital spaces.

The signatories envision deepening global cooperation for responsible AI (partnerships) through multistakeholder collaboration, approaching open access and AI as digital public goods, and enhancing knowledge sharing and mutual learning.

The Declaration was launched at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2025, which convened in Hamburg, Germany, from 2-3 June. Delegates also signed a joint declaration of intent, reaffirming their commitment to removing barriers to large-scale sustainable investment through the ‘SCALED – Scaling Capital for Sustainable Development’ initiative, and formed a global alliance against inequality, among other outcomes. [2025 Hamburg Sustainability Conference Opening Press Release] [2025 Hamburg Sustainability Conference Final Press Release]