On 3 September 2026, the Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue convened a Diplomatic Breakfast on Artificial Intelligence and Children’s Rights, bringing together diplomatic representatives from MENA countries, UN experts and practitioners to examine the impact of artificial intelligence and digital technologies on children’s rights, safety and participation.
The discussion featured leading experts, including Dr Philip D. Jaffé, Professor Emeritus at the University of Geneva and Member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child; Ms Fanny Rotino, Child Rights Specialist and Child Online Protection Officer at ITU; and Ms Gina Bergh of the Digital Tech and Human Rights Section, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The exchange highlighted the existing international framework for children’s rights in the digital environment and the urgent need to strengthen its implementation, emphasizing the shared responsibility of States and technology companies to embed child rights considerations and effective safeguards into digital products.
Participants explored age assurance, social media restrictions and parental controls, underscoring the importance of evidence-based, proportionate and rights-based approaches that protect children from harm while safeguarding their privacy, participation and agency. The discussion further stressed the importance of international and regional cooperation, cross-sector collaboration and accountability in addressing digital risks that transcend national borders. The Diplomatic Breakfast concluded with a shared recognition that safety should be the floor, not the ceiling, reaffirming the need to ensure that children are protected in the digital environment while retaining their rights to participate meaningfully and benefit from technological innovation.
Year of publication: 2026