A group of United Nations bodies and international organisations UN bodies issue joint statement on AI and children’s rights

The Joint Statement on Artificial Intelligence and the Rights of the Child, issued in Geneva on 19 January 2026, was published and co-signed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), UNICEF, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), UNESCO, UNICRI, UNODA, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Representatives of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and on Violence against Children, the UN Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, and Safe Online.

The statement is co-branded by more than 50 organisations and calls for coordinated action to ensure that AI is designed, developed and governed in ways that respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child.

The statement situates AI within the existing framework of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and related international instruments, rather than proposing a new legal regime.

The statement distinguishes responsibilities across different actors. For states, it sets out expectations for child rights-based AI governance, including legislative and administrative measures, designated institutional responsibilities, impact assessments, oversight mechanisms, and access to remedies. It also addresses the role of parliaments in shaping and scrutinising AI-related policy and spending.

At the international level, the document calls on UN bodies and other international and regional organisations to integrate children’s rights consistently into AI-related strategies, standards, and operational practices, in line with international law. This includes developing guidance, coordinating across institutions, and ensuring internal accountability for AI systems used within their own operations.

Several thematic areas are addressed in detail. On responsibility, accountability, and transparency, the statement highlights expectations for states and business enterprises to prevent harm, ensure clarity about how AI systems function, and provide mechanisms for reporting and redress. In relation to child safety, it covers risks such as AI-enabled abuse, harmful content, exploitation, and the use of AI in security and military contexts, while noting that protective measures must respect freedom of expression and other rights.

The statement also focuses on data protection and privacy, emphasising data minimisation, informed consent, safeguards for biometric and sensitive data, and protection against commercial exploitation. The best interests of the child are identified as a primary consideration in all AI-related decisions affecting children, alongside the need for age-appropriate design and communication.

Further sections address non-discrimination and inclusion, calling attention to digital divides, accessibility for children with disabilities, and the risk of algorithmic bias. Child participation is framed as a core principle, with the statement highlighting children’s right to be heard in AI policy processes and system design.

The document also links AI governance to broader societal issues. It addresses AI and the environment, noting both the potential use of AI to address climate challenges and the need to mitigate the environmental impacts of AI systems themselves. Finally, it emphasises capacity building and education, science, and awareness-raising, covering training for policymakers and professionals, AI literacy for children and caregivers, and support for research and public understanding.

The document is framed as guidance rather than a binding instrument. It aims to consolidate existing international norms and provide reference points for future regulation, policy development, and cooperation, as governments and institutions continue to integrate AI into social and economic systems