Human rights, labor, and climate: civil society demands for AI governance
Declaration signed by organizations of 55 countries and sent to the UN defends that global regulation of artificial intelligence should be based on human rights, environmental justice, and social participation.
In this photo illustration the Google Gemini logo is shown on a mobile phone screen against an illustration of 0:1 matrix as artificial intelligence industry races to introduce new models to hold in competing global markets - June 16, 2026. (Photo by Dominika Zarzycka/NurPhoto) (Photo by Dominika Zarzycka / NurPhoto via AFP)
An international coalition made up of civil society organizations, research centers, specialists, and independent entities of 55 countries, including Conectas, released a joint statement with proposals to guide global governance of artificial intelligence (AI). The document was forwarded to the first session of the Global Dialog on AI Governance at the United Nations, to be held on July 6 and 7, in Geneva.
The initiative gathers members of the Global Coalition for Tech Justice, a network created to promote a human rights-centered approach in discussions on digital technologies. In the statement, the organizations recognize the importance of the creation of the new multilateral space at the UN, which for the first time gathers the 193 member-states in a formal process dedicated to artificial intelligence governance.
“The Dialog represents a significant achievement: for the first time, all 193 member-states of the UN have a formal seat in a global process dedicated to artificial intelligence governance”, the text states.
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The main recommendations presented to the international organization include the adoption of the international framework of human rights as a reference to prepare rules and mechanisms to regulate AI. According to the statement, principles like transparency, equity, accountability, non-discrimination, privacy, and the right to reparation should guide the development and implementation of these technologies.
“The principles of transparency, equity, accountability, non-discrimination, privacy, and right to reparation are the common language between AI governance and the international human rights system”, the organizations defend.
The document also highlights the need to strengthen accountability mechanisms for companies and governments, in addition to ensuring effective means of reparation for people and communities affected by automated systems.
Invisible work and labor rights
Another highlight is the inclusion of labor rights in the discussion on artificial intelligence. Organizations warn that the operation of several tools depends on an extensive human labor chain, often rendered invisible, involving activities such as data labeling, content moderation, and work carried out through digital platforms.
“The Dialog should recognize labor rights as a core dimension of AI governance”, the statement claims, which also defends transparency in algorithmic management systems and protection to workers subjected to automated decisions.
Environmental impacts of artificial intelligence
The coalition also sheds light on the environmental impacts associated with the expansion of the technologic infrastructure required for the development of AI. According to the document, the growth of data centers and global supply chains has increased the demand for energy, water, earths, and minerals, particularly in regions already affected by climate crises.
“The AI infrastructure is physical: a network of data centers, cables, and supply chains with concrete demands for energy, water, earth, and minerals”, the text highlights.
The organizations defend that environmental sustainability and climate justice be treated as core topics of AI governance and suggest a greater articulation between the technological debate and international instances directed to the climate agenda.
Social participation and diversity
The declaration also claims mechanisms that expand the participation of civil society, indigenous peoples, local communities, and groups that were historically marginalized in the decision-making processes related to artificial intelligence.
For the signatories, global technology governance cannot be limited to the work of governments and companies. “Significant multi-sector participation should be understood not as a consultive exercise, but as a procedural condition for legitimate and effective global AI governance”, the document states.
The organizations further defend the promotion of linguistic diversity, the creation of listening spaces for affected communities, and the strengthening of cooperation between countries of the Global South, allowing regulatory experiences developed in different contexts to contribute to the international debate.
In the end, the coalition argues that decisions made at this moment will have lasting impacts on the development of artificial intelligence and on how its benefits and risks will be distributed globally.
“The first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance takes place at a moment when artificial intelligence governance is pending – when choices made in multilateral spaces can still shape trajectories, and not just describe them”, the statement concludes.
