Remarks at the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance 2026 by Honorable Judge Samuel Arias Arzeno

This UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, held on July 6-7 in Geneva, Switzerland marked the first-of-its-kind UN mechanism for inclusive, multistakeholder engagement on AI governance priorities. It was born from the Global Digital Compact (adopted by UN member states in September 2024) and a subsequent resolution of the UN General Assembly in August 2025.

During the Dialogue, there were four dedicated thematic segments. On July 7th, Honorable Judge Samuel Arias Arzeno, Judge of the First Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Dominican Republic and Co-Lead of the Justice Action Coalition Thematic Track on Emerging Technology, AI, and Justice participated as a panelist in the high-level discussion on Respecting, Protecting, and Promoting Human Rights, Transparency, Accountability, and Human Oversight.

The thematic session was co-chaired by H.E. Óscar López Águeda, Minister for Digital Transformation & the Civil Service, Spain and Linda Bonyo, Founder and CEO, Lawyers Hub Africa and facilitated by Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Jeremy Ng, Counsel, AI and Digital Economy, World Bank. Fellow panelists included: Sima Bahous, Executive Director, UN Women, H.E. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Minister Delegate, Morocco, Sonia Livingstone, AI Scientific Panel, Sasha Luccioni, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Sustainable AI Group, and Jhalak M. Kakkar, Executive Director, Centre for Communication Governance, National Law University Delhi. The panel was moderated by H.E. David Lametti, Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN and former Minister of Justice.

A selection of Hon. Judge Arias’ recorded remarks can be viewed on YouTube.

Due to time limitations, he was unable to deliver his full remarks. This document includes his full prepared remarks in both English and Spanish in which he highlights the role of the judiciary at the intersection of human rights and AI.