Recording // Humanity at the Center: Global Citizenship, Ethical AI, and the Water-Energy-Food Nexus for Transformative SDG Action (HLPF 2026 Side Event)
This event explored how global citizenship, ethical AI, and the Water-Energy-Food Nexus can accelerate the SDGs. Youth presented AI-driven solutions developed through global collaboration, followed by an expert panel on human-centered AI and cross-sector partnerships.
About the event
This side event explored how AI can accelerate sustainable development while also addressing the governance, resource, and equity challenges associated with its rapid expansion. It highlighted the importance of combining ethical AI governance with global citizenship principles and the Water–Energy–Food (WEF) Nexus approach to ensure technology supports inclusive and sustainable development. Speakers presented practical, scalable solutions already being implemented, including AI-enabled innovations for water efficiency, clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and urban resilience. The session also showcased examples of integrated WEF Nexus governance and responsible AI policy frameworks that can generate synergies across multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Bringing together governments, UN entities, academia, the private sector, and youth innovators, the event demonstrated the value of multi-stakeholder partnerships and cross-sector collaboration in advancing the 2030 Agenda.
Event objectives
- The event demonstrated how digitally facilitated global collaborative education can cultivate ethically grounded, AI-literate global citizens.
- It showcased scalable private sector innovations in clean water, affordable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and inclusive cities aligned with global citizenship principles and WEF Nexus thinking.
- Speakers examined how AI and emerging digital tools, including machine learning, digital twins, and smart systems, can strengthen integrated WEF Nexus governance and urban resilience.
- The discussion identified practical pathways for coordinated action across governments, UN entities, civil society, the private sector, and education systems.
- The session also demonstrated a human–AI collaborative dialogue model that enhanced inclusive, values-driven decision-making while preserving human judgment.
Hosted by
Co-organised by
The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations
IVECA International Virtual Schooling
Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education East Asia Global Education Institute (IEGI)
the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)
the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD)
CoNGO & GNEC
Published
10 July 2026
Watch
You can access the recording via UN Web TV here.