At the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum held in Brasilia, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates joined world leaders in wide-ranging discussions on climate change, artificial intelligence, global peace, and parliamentary cooperation. Representing the UAE was Sara Falaknaz, a member of the Federal National Council from the UAE Parliamentary Division, who delivered a notable address on AI governance and sustainable growth.
UAE Calls for Ethical AI Governance at BRICS Forum
Falaknaz made clear that AI governance must be a legislative priority, not an afterthought. She stated that AI "is a crucial opportunity for achieving development and balanced growth," but stressed that realising its full value requires sound governance — beginning with fair and equitable legislation.
She emphasised that technological advancement must not come at the expense of justice, privacy, or digital sovereignty. Human and moral values, she argued, should be the foundational principle in developing any AI regulatory framework, and new laws for emerging technologies must safeguard individual rights and promote fairness across society.
UAE's AI Leadership Programmes
Falaknaz pointed to the UAE's concrete steps as a model for the international community. She highlighted three landmark initiatives that position the country as a global pioneer in AI:
- World's first Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence — a cabinet-level commitment to national AI leadership - UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 — a comprehensive roadmap aimed at enhancing government performance and driving economic excellence through AI technologies - Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) — described as the world's first graduate-level institution dedicated entirely to AI research
These initiatives, she noted, reflect the UAE's proactive approach to anticipating and shaping the technological future rather than simply reacting to it.
Call for Global Parliamentary Cooperation on AI
Falaknaz urged her fellow BRICS lawmakers to enact legislation that can evolve alongside rapidly advancing technology — frameworks that foster innovation while defending citizens' rights. She called for structured global cooperation among parliaments to share ideas and agree on universal digital safety standards.
The UAE delegation also urged BRICS member states as a whole to lead AI development by anchoring it in ethics, equality, and multilateral cooperation — ensuring that the benefits of AI are distributed equitably across the world, not concentrated among a technological elite.
The 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, held from 3 to 5 June 2025, centred on the theme "The Role of BRICS Parliaments in Building a More Inclusive and Sustainable Global Governance," with AI governance featuring as one of the Brazilian presidency's six headline priority topics.
