On 31 March 2026, an information session on the Global Network of AI Supervisory Authorities (GNAIS) held in Libreville, Gabon, bringing together key supervisory stakeholders from Gabon to advance dialogue on artificial intelligence (AI) governance and international cooperation.
Organised at the Maison des Nations Unies, the session is part of UNESCO’s broader efforts to expand GNAIS membership across all regions and to strengthen the visibility and engagement of the network in Africa and beyond.
The Libreville session introduced Gabonese authorities to the network’s mission, governance structure and key areas of work, while highlighting national and international challenges related to AI regulation. Discussions also focused on concrete opportunities for engagement, encouraging institutions to participate in global efforts to advance responsible AI oversight.
Participants, including representatives from ministries, regulatory authorities, research institutions, civil society, and academia, engaged in a constructive exchange on how GNAIS can be leveraged to strengthen national capacities and foster cross-border cooperation. The session also highlighted the importance of increasing African representation within GNAIS to ensure that regional perspectives are effectively reflected in global governance discussions.
Gabon was one of the first countries in Africa to implement UNESCO’s Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) in 2024. The Gabon RAM recommendations have helped guide the country’s AI efforts in a practical way, structuring the development of its national strategy (under development) and supporting concrete steps such as the establishment of a national technical committee on AI, demonstrating clear ownership of the process and a hands-on approach to building an inclusive and context-driven AI governance framework.
