On March 19, 2026, Paradigm Initiative (PIN) presented a statement at the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, highlighting the importance of inclusive, multistakeholder approaches to global AI governance processes. Delivered by PIN Senior Manager, Partnerships and Engagements, Thobekile Matimbe, the statement emphasises the need for meaningful participation of Global South actors, particularly civil society organisations, in shaping AI governance priorities and frameworks. It also calls for adequate resourcing to ensure equitable participation and representation in global discussions on artificial intelligence. Through this engagement, PIN continues to advocate for rights-respecting, inclusive, and accountable digital futures for Africa and the Global South.

See the full statement below:

Paradigm Initiative Statement on the Global Dialogue on AI Governance 

Presented by Thobekile Matimbe: 19 March 2026

Thank you for this opportunity, Co-Chairs.

My name is Thobekile Matimbe. I work for Paradigm Initiative, an organisation promoting digital rights and inclusion in Africa and a member of the Global South Alliance. Please note our interests in response to the questions asked. We welcome the opportunity to make our submission from the onset. We participated in consultations leading to the Global Digital Compact and the WSIS+20 review processes, which are interrelated and consistently echoed the need for multistakeholder participation in AI governance, bridging digital divides and ensuring rights-respecting AI deployment and oversight. 

To this end, firstly, we echo the importance of ensuring that non-governmental stakeholder participation in the Global Dialogue is vital to the representation of key concerns from the Global South. We acknowledge that the Terms of reference and modalities for the establishment and functioning of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance in paragraph 11 encourage States, private sector, financial institutions, foundations and other donors in a position to do so, to support the effective functioning of the Panel and Dialogue, including by facilitating the participation of representatives and stakeholders of developing countries by offering travel support, through voluntary contributions that are made public in the interest of full transparency.

We highlight the importance of prioritisation of adequate resourcing aimed at facilitating participation of Global South actors, especially civil society actors, if multistakeholderism envisaged in the Terms of Reference is to be a reality. Also, it is pertinent to highlight the need for stakeholders from the Global South to be part of the agenda-setting of core priorities for discussion in the Dialogue with clarity of engagement modalities. Institutionalised participation by civil society organisations from the Global South will be key, and the São Paulo Multistakeholder Guidelines will serve as a reference.

We also recognise that States participating in the dialogue will have the opportunity to share approaches to AI governance and to bridge digital divides between and within countries. We therefore reinforce the need for the development of AI governance frameworks that are inclusive of Global South realities, economic and cultural contexts.  

Lastly, but not least, we envisage a Dialogue that is not only development-focused but also balanced with a human rights-based approach, calling for AI deployment anchored in the respect, protection, and promotion of human rights in the field of artificial intelligence.

Thank you