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Paris Peace Forum addresses climate change, AI regulation, and global cooperation

09/11/2023

This week, the Paris Peace Forum is addressing critical issues, initiating a “call to action” on melting ice caps and exploring the regulatory of artificial intelligence.

The Paris Peace Forum, occurring this week, is set to issue a “call to action” addressing the melting ice caps and will explore the regulation of artificial intelligence. The agenda includes a humanitarian conference on Gaza, with specific details yet to be disclosed but anticipated to attract significant media attention.

Leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, and various African leaders will evaluate the progress of the “Paris Pact for People and the Planet”, initiated in June. This pact aims to secure substantial funding to combat poverty and climate change, aligning with preparations for COP28 in Dubai scheduled for early December.

Despite geopolitical tensions, the forum focuses, as stated by an advisor, is to showcase that cooperation on crucial issues remains viable. The forum underscores the urgency of global challenges, emphasising that “the ice continues to melt” irrespective of ongoing crises.

The edition’s highlight, the “One Planet – Polar Summit”, concludes with President Macron and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on Friday. An “Appeal of Paris on the Poles and Glaciers” will be launched to address the accelerating collapse of global ice surfaces, with potential major impacts on coastal town submersion and access to clean water. States affected by glacier loss, including Nepal and Kyrgyzstan, along with China and India, will participate. Notably, Russia, a major Arctic actor, will not participate due to the conflict in Ukraine, but the Elysée assures it won’t impede cooperation among other countries.

Emmanuel Macron additional priority is “Digital Public Order” to enhance the regulation of platforms and artificial intelligence. He will lead the 5th Christchurch Call Summit, initiated with New Zealand post the 2019 terrorist attack, focusing on combating online terrorist and violent extremist content. Discussions are expected to touch on the Middle East conflict, addressing disturbing images circulating on social media.

By Sara Hamrani