New York: Describing India as a rising force in the global order, Antonio Guterres has lauded the country’s role as a dynamic emerging economy and endorsed its hosting of a major international summit on Artificial Intelligence.
In remarks ahead of the AI Impact Summit 2026, the UN Secretary-General said India’s growing economic strength and expanding influence in global affairs make it an ideal platform for shaping conversations on the future of AI. He stressed that artificial intelligence must not become the exclusive domain of a handful of developed nations or powerful blocs.
Guterres, who will travel to New Delhi to attend the high-level gathering, underscored the need for equitable access to AI technologies. According to him, the benefits of AI should extend to countries across the Global South, ensuring that innovation serves humanity as a whole rather than deepening global divides.
The summit, scheduled from February 16 to 20, will be the first event of its kind hosted in the Global South. Framed around the themes of “People, Planet and Progress,” it aims to address both the opportunities and risks associated with rapidly evolving AI systems.
World leaders and prominent figures from the technology sector are expected to participate. Among those set to attend are French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Adobe chief Shantanu Narayen, and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei. Senior UN officials, including Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Turk and UN technology envoy Amandeep Singh Gill, will also be present.
Guterres reiterated his long-standing support for a multipolar global framework, cautioning against systems dominated by a single power or split between rival superpowers. He argued that emerging economies like India must play a more decisive role in shaping trade, technology and international cooperation networks.
Reflecting on global governance challenges, he expressed concern over the inability of the UN Security Council to respond effectively to ongoing conflicts. He called for comprehensive reform to better represent contemporary geopolitical realities and empower the body to take meaningful decisions.
The UN chief said he looks forward to discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on strengthening multipolarity and enhancing the voice of emerging economies within global institutions.
Calling India a vibrant democracy with a rich civilisational heritage, Guterres also spoke of the country’s historical contributions to global cultural and economic exchanges. As the AI summit approaches, he expressed hope that deliberations in India would help chart a path toward inclusive and responsible technological progress for the world.
