Over 600 parliamentarians from 130 countries met from October 13th to 17th at the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva to debate the use of scientific and technological developments for a more peaceful and sustainable future . The responsibility of parliaments to enable all social groups and regions of the world to have access to the advantages of such innovations was emphasized, as can also be seen from the final declaration.
In addition to the opportunities offered by new technologies, the general debate also focused on the risks that artificial intelligence poses in particular for democracy, human rights and the rule of law. To this end, the IPU Assembly passed a resolution in which it advocates the regulation of the development and use of AI technologies.
Global crises and military conflicts were also a central topic. In contrast to the last two meetings, this time the parliamentarians agreed on an urgent resolution in which they called for a return to multilateralism.
Austria’s delegates on the IPU resolutions
The Austrian delegation consisted of National Council members Andreas Minnich (ÖVP), Christoph Matznetter (SPÖ), Hubert Fuchs (FPÖ) and Federal Councilor Maria Huber (Greens). Delegation leader Minnich emphasized that by adopting the emergency resolution, the parliamentarians had committed themselves to working for more multilateralism, peace, law and sustainability. “The debate on science, technology and innovation has also given impetus to efforts to address the challenges this poses to human rights and the rule of law,” explained Minnich.
Christoph Matznetter welcomed the IPU initiative to regulate artificial intelligence. However, these regulations should not stop at military technology. “Autonomous weapon systems with AI must be banned!” appealed Matznetter, referring to a resolution from the previous IPU meeting.
“The climate crisis is the biggest challenge we face together,” explained Maria Huber, and was convinced that innovation and technology were an essential part of the solution. It is all the more important that a broad debate was held within the IPU. “But one thing is also clear: we not only need the debate, now is also the time to act,” said Huber.
IPU agrees on urgent resolution to strengthen multilateralism
The resolution, based on an initiative by France, Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands and Canada and co-sponsored by Austria, follows on from the urgent plea that UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed to the United Nations General Assembly on September 20, 2024. The IPU Assembly wants to decisively counteract the decline of multilateralism in the face of multiple global crises and conflicts. It reiterates its “unwavering support” for multilateralism, both within the United Nations and other key global and regional institutions, including the IPU, and underlines its commitment to an international order based on the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter.
The resolution highlights the gravity of the challenges facing the global community, from a growing number of international conflicts to the consequences of climate change to other global threats such as famine and the threat of pandemics. It highlights the urgent need for a collective response based on a renewed political will to cooperate internationally and share responsibilities across geopolitical divides.
The IPU Assembly condemns military attacks on civilians as well as sexual violence and war crimes against women and girls. The impact of conflicts on children must also be combated. It is committed to implementing ambitious climate protection measures in line with the Paris Agreement and to protecting human rights, for example by restoring trust in the integrity of independent human rights institutions. Finally, the IPU calls for action to prosecute international crimes and curb disinformation.
KI: Resolution emphasizes need for international standards
In its resolution on the influence of artificial intelligence on democracy, human rights and the rule of law, the IPU Assembly advocates the creation of strong framework conditions for the development, deployment and use of AI technologies. It calls for increased international cooperation involving all regions of the world in order to set global standards for responsible behavior.
According to the declaration, parliaments should also ensure that the progress of artificial intelligence has not created any legal loopholes in the existing protection of democratic and constitutional institutions. In this context, the need for legislative measures to counter the spread of deepfakes and AI-generated content, which can incite hatred and violence, is underlined. In addition, instruments would have to be developed and used that make it possible to determine the origin of online images, as the IPU assembly notes.
About the IPU
The IPU, founded in 1889, sees itself as a world organization of all national parliaments. It promotes cooperation and the exchange of experiences among parliamentarians from 180 countries and holds debates on issues of international importance. For this purpose, resolutions are passed that are intended to serve as political impulses. There is close cooperation with the United Nations with the aim of actively involving parliaments in the development and fulfillment of international obligations. (End) wit