Nairobi, Kenya- Kenya has achieved a major diplomatic milestone after the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) adopted the world’s first resolution on the environmental sustainability of artificial intelligence systems, an initiative led by Kenya and hailed as a breakthrough for Africa’s role in shaping global AI governance.
The resolution, passed under the theme “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet,” sets a global framework for understanding and managing how artificial intelligence affects energy use, water resources, mineral demand and ecosystems, while also highlighting its potential to support climate adaptation, biodiversity protection and environmental restoration.
Following the adoption of the resolution, Ambassador Philip Thigo, Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology, has emerged as one of the most influential voices driving Africa’s involvement in the global conversation on AI governance.
He has been widely credited with elevating the continent’s priorities in a debate often dominated by powerful economies and major technology companies.
Amb. Thigo said the resolution marks a turning point for Africa’s role in the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, noting that it ensures the continent is an active participant in designing AI systems that reflect its environmental and developmental realities.
“Africa cannot afford to be an observer in the age of intelligence. This resolution ensures that global AI development reflects the needs and realities of the Global South,” he stated.
The resolution emphasizes that AI systems must be developed and deployed in ways that uphold environmental sustainability, including supporting climate resilience, conservation and ecological restoration.
It calls for developing countries to gain access to high-quality, interoperable environmental data and stresses the need for international support to strengthen sovereign AI capabilities. It also mandates the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to deepen scientific research on AI’s environmental impacts and opportunities to guide global policy and practice.
Kenya’s diplomatic efforts at UNEA-7 attracted strong support from a wide coalition of partners, including the European Union, the African Group, Egypt, the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, Mozambique and UNEP’s Digital Office, who worked together to secure a balanced and forward-looking agreement.
Ambassador Thigo’s leadership was widely praised for ensuring that Africa’s priorities were firmly embedded in the final outcome.
In a global environment where major AI-related decisions often take place within exclusive groupings such as the G7 and G20, UNEA remains the only universal platform where all nations participate as equals on environmental matters.
The adoption of this resolution marks the first time the United Nations has comprehensively addressed the environmental footprint of AI while recognising its transformative potential.
The outcome is considered a defining moment for Kenya and Africa, signalling a shared vision for an AI future rooted in equity, sustainability and environmental stewardship. It further positions the continent as a key contributor to shaping how intelligence technologies evolve in service of both people and the planet.
