The European Union has called for Indigenous Peoples to be genuine partners in shaping artificial intelligence frameworks, in a statement delivered on 16 July 2026 at the 19th Session of the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Geneva. Speaking under Item 8, a panel discussion on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Artificial Intelligence, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and stressed that AI must not reinforce inequalities or enable misuse of Indigenous knowledge, data or cultural expressions.
The statement, delivered by the Delegation of the European Union to the UN in Geneva, emphasised that AI should be safe, secure, trustworthy, human-centric and developed in full respect for human rights. The EU underlined the need for meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples in the design, development and governance of AI systems that affect them, while respecting free, prior and informed consent and Indigenous data governance. The EU welcomed Indigenous-led initiatives demonstrating how AI can contribute to language revitalization, education and environmental stewardship, reflecting Indigenous knowledge systems and priorities.
as AI governance evolves globally, how can states best ensure that Indigenous Peoples are genuine partners in shaping AI frameworks, while safeguarding Indigenous data sovereignty and enabling communities to benefit from these technologies on their own terms?
The statement carries no binding legal force but signals the EU's policy orientation in international forums. It may influence future EU digital and human rights policies, particularly in the context of the EU's AI Act and its external action. Indigenous communities stand to gain from the EU's advocacy for their participation and data sovereignty, though the lack of concrete measures or funding may limit immediate impact. EU member states may face pressure to align their AI governance approaches with the principles outlined. Tech companies developing AI systems that use Indigenous data could face increased scrutiny and expectations to obtain free, prior and informed consent. The statement does not introduce new EU legislation or funding, but reinforces existing commitments in international human rights law.