President Kagame Named Chair of UN Global Commission on Artificial Intelligence

KIGALI, Rwanda, July 7, 2026 - Rwandan President Paul Kagame has been appointed chair of the newly established United Nations AI for Good Global Commission, a high-level body tasked with promoting the responsible and inclusive development of artificial intelligence worldwide. Kagame will lead the commission alongside Salesforce Chief Executive Marc Benioff, while International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin will serve as deputy chair. Supported by the ITU and UNESCO, the commission aims to reduce global technological disparities, promote international cooperation on AI, and help countries build capacity to harness emerging technologies. The commission brings together more than 40 leaders from governments, international organizations, academia, and the technology industry, including executives from major global technology companies. Rather than developing binding regulations, it will focus on shaping global dialogue, promoting technical standards, and supporting AI adoption, particularly in developing countries. Kagame's appointment reflects Rwanda's growing profile in digital innovation and technology policy. The country has expanded the use of artificial intelligence across sectors including healthcare, education, agriculture, justice, trade, and public services, while recently approving the creation of a national artificial intelligence agency to accelerate innovation, investment, and digital governance.