Report on the 3rd UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI: Emphasizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

In June 2025, UNESCO convened the 3rd Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Bangkok, gathering over 1,200 participants from 88 countries. This forum marked four years since the adoption of UNESCO’s 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, the first global standard endorsed by all 194 member states. The event focused on evaluating progress, addressing challenges, and reinforcing international cooperation to ethically guide AI development in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UNESCO’s Call for Ethical AI Aligned with SDGs

UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay emphasized the transformative impact of AI on society and the critical need to steer AI ethically according to shared human values. She highlighted the necessity of international cooperation to prepare both the world for AI and AI for the world, underscoring the forum’s alignment with multiple SDGs, including:

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Geopolitical Context and Thailand’s Role

The forum took place amid an escalating AI arms race between the US and China, which poses challenges to global collaboration. Thailand, as the host nation, declared a neutral stance and emphasized building its own AI ecosystem through domestic investment. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra presented Thailand’s ambitious AI strategy, including a $15.4 billion investment in AI infrastructure, talent development, and a national data center.

Thailand’s initiatives support SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 4 (Quality Education) by fostering innovation and developing human capital. Additionally, Thailand plans to launch the region’s first AI Governance Practice Center with UNESCO to promote ethical AI practices and cross-sector collaboration, reinforcing SDG 17.

National and Regional Approaches to AI Ethics

More than 35 government ministers from Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America participated, sharing progress on implementing UNESCO’s AI ethics recommendations. Irakli Khodeli, head of UNESCO’s Ethics of AI unit, stressed that AI governance must balance access, sustainability, regulation, and innovation, tailored to each country’s unique priorities and capacities.

Key points include:

1. No universal AI governance model exists; policies must reflect national contexts.
2. Regional cooperation, such as the EU’s AI Act and initiatives in Africa and Southeast Asia, is vital for standardizing data practices and enhancing cross-border AI compatibility.
3. Trilateral cooperation among technologically advanced neighbors—South Korea, Japan, and China—can foster mutual learning in technology and policy innovation.

These efforts contribute to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 by promoting inclusive and transparent AI governance frameworks.

Integrating AI Ethics in Business and Society

The forum explored the application of AI ethics across sectors, including business, academia, and civil society. A dedicated session on corporate responsibility featured representatives from LG AI Research, Microsoft, SAP, Universal Music Group, and the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

• LG AI Research is collaborating with UNESCO to develop a massive open online course (MOOC) aimed at training AI researchers, developers, and policymakers on ethical AI application, supporting SDG 4.
• Challenges in embedding ethics include financial constraints, as noted by Katie Fowler of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, highlighting the need for a strong business case for responsible AI.
• Microsoft emphasized that ethical AI practices enhance trust, transparency, and profitability, aligning with SDG 8 and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Conclusion

The 3rd UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI reinforced the critical role of ethical AI development in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Through international cooperation, tailored national policies, and responsible corporate practices, AI can become a powerful tool for inclusive, sustainable, and equitable progress worldwide.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 4: Quality Education – The article discusses UNESCO and LG AI Research collaborating on an online course to train AI researchers and policymakers in ethical AI, promoting inclusive and equitable quality education.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article highlights AI’s impact on industries, business ethics, and the importance of aligning ethical AI practices with profitability and sustainable economic growth.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – Thailand’s $15.4 billion investment in AI infrastructure and development of domestic talent reflects the promotion of sustainable industrialization and innovation.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The focus on ethical AI governance, international cooperation, and regulation aligns with promoting peaceful and inclusive societies and effective institutions.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article emphasizes international and regional cooperation, including trilateral cooperation among Korea, Japan, and China, and UNESCO’s role in fostering collaboration.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

• SDG 4
  • Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults with relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment and entrepreneurship.
• SDG 8
  • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation.
  • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men.
• SDG 9
  • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade technological capabilities of industrial sectors.
  • Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet.
• SDG 16
  • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
  • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making.
• SDG 17
  • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.
  • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

• For SDG 4 (Quality Education)
  • Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with ICT skills, including AI ethics training, as implied by the UNESCO-LG AI Research online course development.
• For SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
  • Indicator 8.2.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person, implied through discussions on AI-driven economic productivity and business profitability.
  • Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, implied by the focus on AI’s impact on employment and workforce development.
• For SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)
  • Indicator 9.5.1: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP, implied by Thailand’s $15.4 billion investment in AI infrastructure and talent development.
  • Indicator 9.c.1: Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, implied by efforts to improve AI infrastructure and digital access.
• For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)
  • Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of the population satisfied with their last experience of public services, implied by the emphasis on ethical AI governance and transparency.
  • Indicator 16.7.1: Proportions of positions in public institutions by sex, age, persons with disabilities and population groups, implied by inclusive AI governance discussions.
• For SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)
  • Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks, implied by Thailand’s tool to track AI ethics recommendation implementation.
  • Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships, implied by collaborative initiatives like the AI Governance Practice Center.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: koreaherald.com