Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia is playing a strategic role in shaping global artificial intelligence (AI) governance. At a United Nations (UN) forum specifically addressing AI governance, Indonesia pushed for child protection to be a key principle in developing global AI regulations.
This was conveyed by the Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, at the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
The forum, opened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, was attended by 108 UN member states, including heads of government, ministers, and leaders of international organizations, to discuss the direction of global AI governance.
International AI Governance Standard that can Protect Children
At the forum, Indonesia proposed the formation of a global coalition that prioritizes children's best interests in the development and utilization of AI. Indonesia also advocated for the harmonization of cross-border regulations and the development of international standards that could protect children from algorithmic exploitation without hindering innovation and digital transformation.
Unlike many countries still developing AI policy frameworks, Indonesia brings real-world experience through Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 concerning Electronic System Governance for Child Protection (PP Tunas).
"This dialogue is an important opportunity to build global AI governance that is inclusive, human-centered, development-oriented, and strengthened through international cooperation," said Meutya in her speech.
According to Meutya, President Prabowo Subianto views AI not only as a technology with risks that must be controlled, but also as an instrument to accelerate development, especially for developing countries.
Therefore, Indonesia believes that global AI governance must be able to address the various gaps still faced by many countries, from access to advanced AI technology, digital infrastructure, data governance, human resource capacity, and financing.
"AI must be an instrument of inclusive development, not just a technology enjoyed by developed countries," Meutya emphasized.
Indonesia’s National AI Regulations
At the national level, the government is preparing a presidential regulation regarding the National AI Roadmap and Ethics as a strategic direction for AI development in various sectors. The regulation is designed to ensure the use of AI is carried out responsibly and transparently, while still placing humans at the center of decision-making.
Indonesia also introduced PP Tunas as a good practice in child protection in the digital space. The regulation, enacted by President Prabowo Subianto in March 2025, stipulates increased child protection by restricting access to high-risk digital platforms for users under 16 years of age.
In her speech, Meutya explained that within five months of its implementation, approximately five million child accounts have been deactivated. This demonstrates that national regulations can align with technological innovation without hindering digital transformation.
Indonesia also emphasized that global AI governance should be built on the principle of interoperability, not uniformity. Given the varying levels of readiness and development needs in each country, a flexible framework is needed that still maintains strong protection standards.
To this end, Indonesia is encouraging strengthened international cooperation through capacity building, technology partnerships, access to cloud computing, the development of local language-based AI models, and financing mechanisms that can broaden the equitable distribution of AI benefits across countries.
Conclusion
Indonesia promoted child protection as a key principle in global artificial intelligence (AI) governance at a United Nations (UN) forum in Geneva. Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid proposed the formation of a global coalition that prioritizes the best interests of children, harmonizes cross-border regulations, and establishes international standards. Indonesia also introduced PP Tunas as an example of implementing child protection in the digital space. Indonesia is also preparing National AI Roadmap and Ethics as a strategic direction for AI development in various sectors
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