Sophia Bekele Attends UNGA 81, Highlights AI Governance as the Next Frontier

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, September 24, 2026 — Sophia Bekele, Founder and CEO of DotConnectAfrica Group and CBSegroup, attended the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, participating in high-level discussions on AI, digital cooperation, and technology governance — including UN Global Compact in Partnership with Unstoppable Africa,  Digital Cooperation Day, an official side event organized by the UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies, the Digital@UNGA Anchor Event at United Nations Headquarters, the General Assembly Hall, sessions in the Trusteeship Council Chamber, the Delegates Dining Room, and the Goals Lounge.

“The week was extraordinary. The level of commitment to digital cooperation, inclusion, and innovation was genuine, and the speakers brought real depth to every room.”

One gap worth naming: AI governance featured most prominently in a closed-room session at Digital Cooperation Day, rather than on the open main stage.

“AI governance was discussed at Digital Cooperation Day — in a closed-room session. If governance is what builds trust, then the conversation deserves an open platform too.”

Bekele welcomed the Secretary-General’s closing remarks, which named AI governance as a key priority for the road ahead.

“It was encouraging to hear the Secretary-General close by naming AI governance as a central part of the road ahead. Because governance is what builds trust — and trust is what drives adoption.”

The absence of any regulatory consensus was stark. On September 22, President Trump told the UN General Assembly:

“The United States totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme to control artificial intelligence.”

He also announced the US would henceforth refer to the technology as “superintelligence.” The very next day, OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Anthropic’s Dario Amodei briefed the UN Security Council at a formal session on AI and international security, warning that AI posed risks to humanity without oversight and calling for international safeguards. Within 24 hours, the world’s leading AI builders and the world’s most powerful government had taken opposing positions on the same stage. The UN had no common framework to bridge them.

Bekele, a digital sovereignty architect with over two decades of experience in internet governance, connected her observation to the week’s official theme — “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All.”

“Trust requires accountability. Accountability requires remedy. And remedy requires knowing who is responsible. Accountability without remedy is just documentation. We have the dialogue. We have the evidence. What we do not yet have are enforceable frameworks. That is the next frontier.”

About DotConnectAfrica (DCA) Group

DotConnectAfrica Group is a pioneering pan-African organization focused on digital innovation, capacity development, cloud and infrastructure services, and inclusive technology ecosystems. With a mandate to strengthen Africa’s digital footprint and advance technological sovereignty, DCA operates across entrepreneurship, education, governance, and digital transformation. Its award-winning initiatives continue to influence Africa’s emerging digital landscape and drive sustainable impact across the continent.
For more information, visit: www.dotconnectafrica.org

About CBSegroup

CBSegroup is a Silicon Valley–based technology transfer and advisory firm serving large organizations in emerging markets, with a focus on AI governance, cybersecurity, and digital sovereignty.
For more information, visit: www.cbsegroup.com