Cyprus’ Permanent Representative at the UN, Ambassador Maria Michael, has said, speaking during the UNGA High-Level WSIS+20 Review, that emerging technologies, especially AI, “must be developed and governed responsibly, with full respect for human rights, data protection, and ethical standards”.
Speaking on 16 December, she noted that Cyprus “aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union” and is “honoured to speak in its national capacity.” She stressed that, twenty years after the original WSIS, “we stand at a defining moment for the future governance of our shared digital space”.
Cyprus welcomed the adoption of the WSIS+20 Outcome Document, which “reaffirms the Geneva and Tunis commitments, the 2030 Agenda, and the Global Digital Compact.” These pillars, Michael said, remain “essential to building an inclusive, human-centric, and development-oriented information society”.
Ambassador Michael underscored the centrality of “human rights, openness, and interoperability” as the foundation of the digital ecosystem. She emphasised that digital governance “must uphold international human rights law, ensure privacy and trust, and safeguard democratic values” amid rapid technological change.
Cyprus expressed strong support for “the institutionalisation of the Internet Governance Forum as a permanent UN body,” a long-standing EU priority enhancing “stability, inclusiveness, and continuity” in global digital governance.
Ambassador Μichael highlighted that “2.6 billion people remain offline,” noting the disproportionate impact on developing countries, LDCs, and SIDS. These vulnerabilities, she said, “mirror, in many respects, those faced historically by island states such as Cyprus”.
Cyprus reaffirmed its commitment to “responsible AI governance,” strengthening cyber capacity, and promoting “a secure and trusted digital environment” for citizens and partners. Digital technologies, she stated, support progress across health, education, e-government, disaster preparedness, economic inclusion, and environmental resilience.
Ambassador Michael concluded by stressing that “the foundations are strong. The direction is clear. Our shared responsibility is to deliver”.
(Source: CNA)
