Manama, Bahrain - Governments, National Human Rights Institutions, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, and regional and international organizations gathered in Manama today for a two-day regional workshop on strengthening responsible and human rights-based governance of Artificial Intelligence across the Arab States. Organized by the National Institution for Human Rights in Bahrain, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI), in partnership with the Arab ICT Organization (AICTO), the workshop aims to translate global and regional principles into practical approaches suited to the priorities and contexts of the Arab region.  

Artificial Intelligence is increasingly shaping public services, policymaking, institutional decision-making and economies, and the  discussion centered on how countries can harness its potential while protecting human rights and strengthening transparency, accountability, non-discrimination, participation and inclusion.  

Asmaa Shalabi, Resident Representative of UNDP Bahrain, highlighted that artificial intelligence is transforming public service delivery and decision-making, with significant implications for people’s lives. She noted the range of regional efforts to address these developments, including the Arab Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the Arab AI Ethics Charter, and the Doha Declaration on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights. She underscored UNDP’s global efforts to support governments and institutions in developing digital policies and AI governance approaches that integrate human rights, ethical safeguards and inclusive development, complemented by practical tools such as the Human Rights Impact Assessment Toolkit for AI.  

Building on the work of various stakeholders, Asmaa underlined that the regional workshop on “Responsible Governance of Artificial Intelligence in the Arab States” will explore the development of a Pan-Arab AI Regulatory Framework Toolkit and a Monitoring Framework for Responsible AI Governance, grounded in the principles of accountability, transparency, non-discrimination and inclusive participation. She highlighted that UNDP stands ready to support countries across the Arab States in advancing this agenda, in partnership with ANNHRI, AICTO and other regional and international partners. 

Day one opened with a look at emerging global norms, standards and regulatory approaches,  alongside experiences and initiatives already underway in the Arab region. Discussions then explored how international approaches can be adapted into governance frameworks that reflect the social, cultural and linguistic contexts of the Arab States. Sessions also examined how human rights can be integrated throughout the lifecycle of Artificial Intelligence systems, from assessing and mitigating risks to strengthening accountability and transparency.  

Regional progress featured prominently as well, with participants taking stock of initiatives shaping the evolving regulatory landscape. This builds on growing regional momentum. In 2025, the Council of Arab ICT Ministers adopted the Arab Artificial Intelligence Strategy, followed by the Arab AI Ethics Charter and the launch of the Arab AI Initiative.  

The workshop also builds on the International Conference on "AI and Human Rights," held in Doha in May 2025, which brought together over 1,200 leaders and resulted in the Doha Declaration on AI and Human Rights.  

Engineer Ali Ahmed Al-Derazi, Chairperson of the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI) and Chairperson of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) of the Kingdom of Bahrain, affirmed that the convening of the regional workshop on “Responsible Governance of Artificial Intelligence in the Arab States” in the Kingdom of Bahrain comes amid the rapid developments witnessed in the field of artificial intelligence, and the consequent importance of strengthening regional dialogue and cooperation on the responsible use of these technologies and their implications for human rights. 

Al-Derazi stressed the need to establish effective frameworks for AI governance that ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and promote transparency, accountability and non-discrimination, noting the importance of the workshop in exchanging expertise and best practices, shaping a common Arab vision, and strengthening the role of National Human Rights Institutions and cooperation with relevant stakeholders, in a manner that contributes to the responsible deployment of AI that places the human being and his rights at the heart of technological development. 

Discussions will continue on 17 September with a focus on national experiences in developing Artificial Intelligence strategies, regulatory frameworks and institutional arrangements, drawing on lessons from the Arab States, Europe and Asia. Participants will explore how to balance technological innovation with ethical safeguards, human rights protection and effective public sector governance.  

A key focus of the second day will be moving from principles to implementation. Participants will work to identify key components of a proposed Pan-Arab AI Regulatory Framework Toolkit, covering priority policy areas, regulatory principles, institutional responsibilities, risk management approaches and implementation tools. Participants will also explore options for a Monitoring Framework for Responsible AI Governance, looking at possible indicators, reporting mechanisms, governance benchmarks and institutional arrangements that could support implementation, strengthen accountability and facilitate regional learning and peer exchange.  

The workshop will conclude with an action-planning session to identify practical next steps, including the further development, validation and potential piloting of the proposed tools, along with capacity development needs, institutional roles and opportunities for continued regional collaboration 

National Human Rights Institutions have an important part to play in this process. Through their mandates to monitor human rights, advise governments and promote accountability, they can help ensure that the development and use of Artificial Intelligence remain consistent with international human rights standards. More broadly, the workshop contributes to regional efforts to strengthen coordination and advance approaches that enable technological innovation while embedding human rights, accountability and inclusion in the development and use of Artificial Intelligence. 

Media Contacts: 

UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States 

Yunjin Oh| Programme Analyst ( Governance and Human Rights)| yunjin.oh@undp.org 
Ahmed Bazzoum | Communications Analyst | ahmed.bazzoum@undp.org 

The Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI)| Nawaf Yousif Hassan |Head of the Administrative Unit| Nawaf Yousif Hassan nyh@nihr.org.bh