IGF-MAG discusses modernisation of the WSIS architecture
On 23 March 2026, the 2025 IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) held its final meeting. Discussions centred on a ‘to-do list’ for the new MAG, which UN Secretary-General Guterres is due to appoint in April 2026. The list focuses on more efficient IGF procedures, particularly with regard to so-called "Interessional Work"[1]. Discussions also covered closer alignment of the IGF with the WSIS Action Lines, the GDC and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as with other intergovernmental negotiations on digital issues (WSIS+).
Launch of the UN bodies on artificial intelligence
On 2 March 2026, the inaugural meeting of the "Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence" took place in New York. UN Secretary-General Guterres said that "the world urgently needs a shared, global understanding of AI that is based not on ideology but on science, not on fake news but on knowledge."[2] The panel’s task is "to bring independent, credible science into the global debate – at a time when geopolitical tensions are rising, conflicts are raging and the importance of safe and responsible AI could not be greater. In this fragmented context, an unbiased and trustworthy understanding of AI is essential." It is necessary "to establish effective guardrails, harness innovation for the common good and strengthen international cooperation." Spain, alongside Costa Rica as co-facilitator of the AI Panel, will host the first meeting of the AI Panel from 22–24 April 2026. The AI Panel must present an initial report by the end of June 2016, which will be discussed at the "Global Dialogue on AI Governance" on 6 and 7 July 2026 in Geneva. The US rejects both the AI Panel and the AI Dialogue.
Kick-off for the UN Dialogue on AI Governance
On 18 March 2026, an initial informal consultation on the "Global Dialogue on AI Governance" took place. The co-facilitators are the UN ambassadors from El Salvador and Estonia, Egriselda López and Rein Tammsaar. Five questions were discussed. Among other things, the discussion focused on how to prevent fragmentation of the AI discussion landscape. One problem is the lack of a definition of AI governance. The lack of integration with Internet governance was also discussed.[3]
Constitution of the “Global Mechanism” on cybersecurity
The UN’s new permanent "Global Mechanism" (GM) on cybersecurity convened for its constituent meeting in New York on 30 and 31 March 2026. It agreed on the governance structure, the timetable and two Dedicated Thematic Groups (DTGs). The UN Ambassador from El Salvador, Egriselda López, was elected as Chair of the GM. López is also Co-Facilitator of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance. The first GM meeting will take place in New York from 21 to 26 July 2026. The DTGs are to address security threats in cyberspace and capacity-building measures, and are scheduled to meet in New York in December 2026. However, no agreement could be reached on a specific agenda for the first meeting or on the co-facilitators of the DTGs. This is now to be clarified in informal consultations.[4]
White House presents new US cybersecurity strategy
On 7 March 2026, the White House published the long-awaited new US cybersecurity strategy[5], which fits seamlessly into the US’s long-term AI strategy. "Cyberspace was born in America," the document states. From this, the claim to international leadership is derived: "The US’s cyber specialists and tools are the best in the world and can be deployed quickly and effectively to defend the interests of the US … We will engage internationally through diplomacy, trade and operational measures to ensure that norms and standards reflect our values … We will streamline cyber regulation and reduce administrative burdens to ensure the private sector has the flexibility needed to keep pace with rapidly evolving threats." It is thanks to President Trump’s leadership that "a new era in cyberspace" has begun.
Negotiations on lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) remain deadlocked
As expected, no significant progress was made during the negotiations on autonomous weapon systems (GGE LAWS) held in Geneva from 2–6 March 2026. Discussions centred on a number of additions to the ‘rolling text’ presented by the Chair of the GGE LAWS in February 2025. The majority of states favour a ‘two-tier approach’. Under this approach, autonomous weapon systems that operate without human control should be prohibited. The use of AI in weapon systems under human control should be subject to the rules of international humanitarian law set out in the 1949 Geneva Conventions. However, the US, China, Russia, Israel and Ukraine in particular continue to block a final agreement. The concluding session of the GGE LAWS is scheduled for early September 2026 in Geneva.[6]
EU debate on the coherence of the digital terms and policies
On 20 March 2026, the 6th meeting of the ‘EU Digital Markets Act High-Level Group (HLG)’ took place in Brussels.[7] Discussions focused on how to improve coherence between various EU digital legislative acts in the context of the "Digital Omnibus", particularly between the Digital Markets Act and the AI Act. The aim is "to ensure coherent and effective implementation of EU digital frameworks, ultimately supporting innovation and fairness in the digital landscape". The HLG heard reports from three law professors. No resolutions were taken. Ahead of the meeting, EuroISPA had welcomed efforts to simplify EU digital rules but added: "Simplification should go beyond adjustments to individual provisions and focus on improving coherence across the broader digital regulatory framework".[8]
UNCSTD Working Group prepares report on data governance
The 5th meeting of the UNCSTD Working Group on Data Governance (WGDG) took place on 2 and 3 March 2026 in Geneva. Four topics were on the agenda: 1. Data Governance Principles, 2. Interoperability between national, regional, and international data systems, 3. Sharing the Benefits of Data, and 4. Data Flows.
Extensive working papers were produced on all four topics. These form the basis for the report to be submitted to the 81st UN General Assembly in autumn 2026.[9]
WTO: e-commerce agreement without a global customs moratorium
Following years of negotiations, the "Agreement on E-Commerce” was signed by 65 governments on 26 March 2026 at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The agreement establishes uniform rules for cross-border e-commerce. Documents in electronic form are recognised as equivalent to their paper-based counterparts. It contains provisions on consumer protection, cybersecurity and digital inclusion. It also incorporates the ban on tariffs on digital services from the 1998 WTO moratorium. However, the attempt to extend the moratorium indefinitely for all WTO member states failed, as the US was unable to reach a compromise with the countries of the Global South. The WTO Council in Geneva is now set to resolve the dispute.
New “World Data Organisation” (WDO) founded in Beijing
On 31 March 2026, a new "World Data Organisation" (WDO) was founded in Beijing. The WDO is conceived as a non-governmental and non-profit international organization, which describes itself as "a platform for global data collaboration that is practice-oriented, industry-focused and designed for multi-stakeholder dialogue and cooperation". The launch event was attended by 200 participants from 40 countries. A charter for the new organisation and a list of its founding members have not been published. Yang Jie, former Chairman and Party Secretary of China Mobile Communications Group Co. Ltd., was appointed as Secretary-General of the WDO.[10]
[1] https://www.intgovforum.org/en/filedepot_download/342/30836
[2] https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statements/2026-03-03/un-secretary-generals-remarks-the-first-meeting-of-the-independent-international-scientific-panel-artificial-intelligence-delivered
[3] https://www.un.org/global-dialogue-ai-governance/sites/default/files/2026-03/11_mar_2026_concept_note_-_virtual_multistakeholder_consultation_0.pdf
[4] https://dig.watch/updates/un-global-mechanism-on-ict-security-discusses-procedures-debates-co-facilitator-appointments
[5] https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/President-Trumps-Cyber-Strategy-for-America.pdf
[6] https://reachingcriticalwill.org/disarmament-fora/ccw/2026/laws/reports/18162-ccw-report-vol-14-no-2
[7] https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/sixth-meeting-digital-markets-act-high-level-group-2026-03-20_en
[8] https://www.euroispa.org/2026/03/euroispa-published-its-position-paper-on-the-digital-omnibus-package/
[9] https://unctad.org/meeting/5th-meeting-un-cstd-multi-stakeholder-working-group-data-governance-all-levels
[10] https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202603/31/content_WS69cb2a94c6d00ca5f9a0a2db.html
