Topic: 2025 – Artificial Intelligence and Resource Consumption
Country: Ukraine
Delegate Name: Jessica Liu
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence in recent years has transformed global technological capabilities. Acknowledging its potential in fields such as, but not limited to, medicine, physics, and environmental sciences, the delegation of Ukraine urges that alongside continued development, the United Nations provide increased global measures for the development of artificial intelligence and its associated resource consumption and environmental impact. Ukraine has faced severe air pollution since the Soviet industrial rise in the 1950s, with coal emissions and current wartime conditions further straining local ecosystems. These circumstances highlight the pressing need for increased efforts in managing the consequences of expanding AI infrastructure. In August 2021, Ukraine adopted its National Strategy for the Development of AI, seeking to establish Ukraine as a leader in the creation and application of AI by 2030. Accordingly, Ukraine emphasizes the importance of approaches that promote global accountability while exploring the possibilities of fossil fuel alternatives.
According to the Decree of the President of Ukraine and the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine on September 14, 2020, it is essential that a climate-resilient society be built in the wake of post-COVID-19 pandemic economic recovery. This new strategy not only contributes to global resilience but also sets the framework for adaptive action in Ukraine, defining its ten most vulnerable areas—biodiversity, water resources, energy, public health, fisheries, agriculture and soils, forestry, cities and territorial communities, transport and infrastructure, coastal areas, and tourism—for analysis and improvements. Of these, water resources and energy are especially prominent in consideration of artificial intelligence, as the expansion of AI infrastructure, including large-scale data centers and high-performance computing systems, places extreme demands on electricity and water supplies, which could exacerbate existing environmental pressures. At the same time, Ukraine has made significant strides in integrating AI into public services through initiatives such as Diia.AI, the world’s first national AI assistant for government services. This platform allows citizens to access essential documents, such as income certificates, via chat or voice request. While this demonstrates Ukraine’s leadership in AI adoption, it also underscores the importance of carefully monitoring resource consumption.
Looking ahead, Ukraine supports comprehensive international efforts through UNEP to mitigate AI’s environmental impacts while continuing its beneficial development. The delegation urges UNEP to establish global standards for the sustainable sourcing of critical resources and implement environmental impact assessments for large-scale AI projects. Ukraine also encourages research and technological innovation aimed at reducing the energy intensity of AI systems and calls for international collaboration to share best practices in sustainable AI deployment. Through these initiatives, Ukraine seeks to ensure that artificial intelligence contributes positively to global development while minimizing harm to local ecosystems and communities, reaffirming its commitment to both technological advancement and environmental sustainability.
Works Cited
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