88 Nations Sign New Delhi AI Declaration at 2026 Summit

Eighty-eight nations and international organisations have endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on Artificial Intelligence at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Backed by major global powers including the US, China, Russia, the UK, and the EU, the charter focuses on democratising AI access, building secure and trusted systems, promoting open-source AI tools, and developing energy-efficient AI infrastructure. The move marks a significant step toward coordinated global AI governance.

After six days of cross-border deliberations at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, 88 countries and multilateral organisations formally endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on Artificial Intelligence. The agreement represents one of the broadest global alignments on AI governance, signaling that artificial intelligence is no longer just a national policy priority but a coordinated international agenda.

The declaration aims to balance innovation with accountability, inclusivity, and sustainability, at a time when AI systems are rapidly reshaping economies, security frameworks, and digital ecosystems worldwide.

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Global Participation: Who Signed the Declaration?

The declaration drew support from a diverse coalition of advanced economies, emerging markets, and international institutions.

Category	Key Signatories
Major Powers	United States, China, Russia, United Kingdom
Asia-Pacific	South Korea, Australia
Americas	Brazil, Canada
Europe	Switzerland, European Union
Multilateral Institutions	EU, IFAD
Total Endorsers	88 Nations & Organisations

The wide representation suggests that despite geopolitical differences, countries recognize the shared risks and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.

The participation of both the European Union and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) adds institutional weight to the declaration, particularly in areas such as regulatory alignment and AI-driven agricultural innovation.

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Core Objectives of the New Delhi Declaration

The charter outlines a structured framework for AI governance centered around five primary pillars.

Strategic Pillar	Key Objective
Democratisation of AI	Expand access to AI compute, datasets, and research tools
Secure & Trusted Systems	Strengthen transparency, safety, and accountability standards
Open-Source AI Promotion	Encourage collaborative and accessible AI development
Energy-Efficient Infrastructure	Reduce carbon footprint of AI systems
Science & Innovation	Foster research-driven technological advancement

The emphasis on open-source AI reflects a growing global debate around concentration of AI power among a limited number of technology giants. By advocating open collaboration, the declaration seeks to lower entry barriers for startups, researchers, and emerging economies.

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Why This Declaration Is Timely

Artificial intelligence has evolved from a niche research domain into a foundational economic driver. It is influencing sectors such as healthcare, finance, agriculture, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing.

AI Impact Area	Strategic Relevance
Healthcare	Drug discovery & diagnostics
Finance	Risk modelling & fraud detection
Agriculture	Precision farming & yield optimisation
Cybersecurity	Threat detection & defense automation
Manufacturing	Automation & productivity gains

With rapid advances in generative AI, machine learning, and large language models, concerns around misinformation, bias, data privacy, and energy consumption have intensified. The declaration attempts to establish a cooperative baseline to address these challenges.

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Governance Convergence: Different Models, Shared Vision

AI governance frameworks vary significantly across regions.

Region	Governance Approach
United States	Innovation-driven with light-touch regulation
European Union	Regulation-centric and compliance-focused
China	State-guided AI development model
Emerging Economies	Access expansion & capacity building

The New Delhi Declaration suggests that despite these differences, there is emerging consensus on certain universal principles: secure AI systems, responsible innovation, and broader access to digital resources.

India’s role as host underscores its ambition to serve as a bridge between advanced AI economies and developing nations seeking digital inclusion.

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Energy & Infrastructure: The Sustainability Question

AI systems are computationally intensive, often requiring vast data centers and energy resources. Energy-efficient AI infrastructure was a central theme in the declaration.

AI Infrastructure Challenge	Proposed Direction
High Energy Consumption	Promote efficient compute architectures
Data Center Expansion	Encourage sustainable power sourcing
Carbon Emissions	Support green AI initiatives
Infrastructure Inequality	Improve access to AI resources globally

By embedding sustainability into governance discussions, the declaration aligns AI development with broader climate goals.

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Economic & Strategic Implications

Artificial intelligence is increasingly viewed as a multiplier for national competitiveness.

Countries that develop robust AI ecosystems can benefit through:

Economic Lever	Potential Outcome
Productivity Gains	Higher GDP contribution
Startup Ecosystem Growth	Innovation acceleration
Digital Governance	Improved public service delivery
Export Competitiveness	AI-driven industrial advantage

Multilateral alignment reduces regulatory fragmentation, offering clearer pathways for cross-border collaboration and investment.

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What This Means for Industry & Investors

For global technology firms, policy harmonisation can reduce compliance uncertainty. A shared governance framework may facilitate:

Industry Benefit	Impact
Regulatory Clarity	Lower legal ambiguity
Cross-Border Innovation	Easier collaboration
Standardised Safety Norms	Reduced compliance complexity
Infrastructure Investment	Scalable AI deployment

The declaration may not be legally binding, but it sets a policy tone that could influence future legislation and technology standards.

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FAQs

Q: Is the New Delhi Declaration legally binding?

No, it serves as a policy alignment framework rather than a binding international treaty.

Q: Why is open-source AI important in this context?

Open-source AI promotes transparency, innovation, and equitable access, reducing reliance on a few dominant providers.

Q: What role does sustainability play in the declaration?

Energy-efficient infrastructure is emphasized to address AI’s growing environmental footprint.

Q: How could this impact global AI competition?

By encouraging cooperation, the declaration aims to reduce fragmentation while maintaining innovation momentum.

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Final Outlook

The signing of the New Delhi Declaration by 88 nations marks a pivotal moment in global AI governance. As artificial intelligence becomes central to economic growth and strategic policy, multilateral coordination may shape the trajectory of future innovation.

While geopolitical tensions persist, the agreement reflects a shared understanding that AI’s transformative power requires collaborative oversight. The declaration may not resolve every governance challenge, but it establishes a foundation for a more coordinated digital future.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only.