The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening parliamentary engagement in the governance of Artificial Intelligence at a series of parliamentary events they delivered during Geneva AI Governance Week from 6 to 10 July 2026. 

Across the inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance, the AI for Good Global Summit and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum, Parliamentarians, international organisations and technical experts explored the critical role that Legislatures play in ensuring that AI systems are developed and deployed in ways that are transparent, accountable, inclusive and aligned with democratic values.

During the session, Anda Filip, the Secretary-General of the IPU, said:

"Declining public trust, increasing disinformation and broader geopolitical disruption make parliamentary oversight more important than ever”

The week’s discussions, building upon the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ‘Parliaments and Responsible AI’ that was launched in Malaysia in November 2025, highlighted a common message: Effective AI governance cannot be achieved without strong parliamentary participation. 

As institutions responsible for legislation, oversight and public representation, Parliaments occupy a unique position in translating international AI principles into national law, scrutinising government action, ensuring accountability for public investment in AI, protecting rights and freedoms and fostering public trust in emerging technologies.  

Opening on 6 July 2026, with a dedicated session during the Global Dialogue on AI Governance focused on transparency, accountability and human oversight of AI, delegates shared practical examples of legislative action, Committee scrutiny and parliamentary innovation. They identified the need for stronger technical support and capacity-building for Parliaments seeking to engage effectively in AI policy, and particular attention was drawn to the challenges faced by Legislatures in accessing the expertise required to oversee rapidly evolving technologies.  

Discussions continued the following day at the AI for Good Global Summit, where participants examined how Parliaments can help shape and oversee national AI strategies. Contributors emphasised the importance of ensuring that AI advances sustainable development objectives, delivers measurable public benefit and remains grounded in democratic principles through effective parliamentary scrutiny and public engagement.  

The parliamentary engagement concluded at the WSIS Forum with a High-Level Dialogue on Digital Governance. Parliamentarians reflected on the renewed WSIS mandate and explored how Legislatures can contribute to the implementation of international digital governance commitments through their law-making, oversight and representative functions. Discussions also addressed the divergence between the pace at which AI is develop and adopted and the timescales on which legislative and oversight cycles operate with many Parliaments, in particular in developing countries, lacking access to technical expertise required to assess risk and to interrogate such emerging technologies. 

A CPA delegation led by James Pinnell, Deputy Head of Programmes at the CPA Secretariat, attended the Conference. He said: 

“The Geneva discussions reinforced the message articulated in the Kuala Lumpur ‘Declaration on Parliaments and Responsible AI’: that Parliaments must play a central role in ensuring that AI serves the public good, and that democratic institutions remain active participants in shaping the future of technology. The Declaration calls upon Parliaments to strengthen scrutiny of national AI readiness, enhance oversight of government action, promote inclusive public dialogue and support international cooperation on responsible AI.” 

The CPA, IPU and UNDP further emphasised that parliamentary capacity-building must form part of international efforts to strengthen AI governance. While significant attention has been devoted globally to government readiness and technical development, these sessions highlighted the equally important need to support Legislatures in developing the expertise, institutional mechanisms and cross-border partnerships necessary to exercise effective oversight of AI.

-ENDS- 

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an international community of 180 Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance. 

Founded in 1911, the CPA brings together Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and implement the enduring values of the Commonwealth. It offers a vast opportunity for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff to collaborate on issues of mutual interest and to share good practice.