September 2026
Artificial intelligence is an extremely powerful technology. It has potential to improve lives, advance science and strengthen our economies.
At the same time, the rapid development of frontier AI models poses serious risks to safety and security if not appropriately managed.
Recently we have seen capable AI systems circumventing testing safeguards, exploiting vulnerabilities and gaining unauthorized access to real-world systems.
Leading scientists and executives are warning that the pace of development could outpace our ability to manage emerging risks.
To realise AI’s potential, industry, governments and society must act now. We must address these risks and strengthen oversight — without widening the gap between countries in access to the benefits of AI.
AI must remain under human direction, oversight and control. It must be developed and used in line with international law.
We therefore welcome the recently launched initiatives that aim to manage the risks related to frontier technologies, and call for:
- Companies to develop transparent safety protocols, including mandatory pre-deployment testing and independent evaluation, with qualified evaluators granted sufficient access to assess risks.
- Governments and regional organisations to further develop and coordinate common standards, strengthen transparency — including shared reporting of serious safety incidents — and ensure that countries across all regions have access to scientific capacity, expertise and trusted evaluation.
- UN member states to build on existing international mechanisms and explore creating an international institution, able to set standards, enable verification, and convene states when capability thresholds are crossed.
Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of Norway
Alexander Stubb, President of Finland
Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland
Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia
Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain
Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark
Kristen Michal, Prime Minister of Estonia
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Friedrich Merz, Federal Chancellor of Germany
Kristrún Frostadóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland
Micheál Martin, Prime Minister of Ireland
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan
William Ruto, President of Kenya
Edgars Rinkēvičs, President of Latvia
Maia Sandu, President of Moldova
Rob Jetten, Prime Minister of the Netherlands
Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Singapore
Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain
Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa
Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye
H.H Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates
The statement remains open for endorsement from leaders of other countries.