South-South Cooperation on AI Policy: From Global Agendas to Local Action

As Global South governments push for greater agency in determining the trajectory of artificial intelligence, translating high-level cooperation commitments into concrete, coordinated action remains a critical challenge. Drawing on insights from Members of the Africa-Asia AI Policymaker Network, this discussion document examines the opportunities and obstacles facing policy officials navigating AI governance across regional and national contexts. Grounded in emerging legislative and institutional experiences, it identifies six priority areas for practical South-South cooperation, with attention to inclusive design, implementation pathways, and the roles of civil society, local innovators, and private sector actors. The report argues that realising the promise of equitable, development-oriented AI governance requires moving beyond rhetorical consensus toward substantive frameworks that reflect the diverse needs and agency of communities across the Global South.