AIFOD and Lesotho Permanent Mission Meet in Geneva on AI Cooperation

The AI for Developing Countries Forum (AIFOD), which publishes this site, met with the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Lesotho in Geneva to discuss collaboration on artificial intelligence governance, digital inclusion, and sustainable technology development.

His Excellency Tsiu Khathibe, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the United Nations Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva, received the organisation. The talks focused on aligning AIFOD's mission with Lesotho's national priorities in public service modernisation, youth empowerment, digital transformation, and education, while utilising AIFOD's global network of more than 7,000 members across over 150 nations.

Governance and Flagship Programmes

The parties examined several specific initiatives for potential collaboration. Discussions included Lesotho's possible participation in the Independent Review Board for governance oversight, the Forum for AI Inclusion and Readiness certification framework designed for developing economies, and the AID programme, which directs corporate contributions to AI capacity building in least developed countries.

Ambassador Khathibe welcomed AIFOD's approach to practical institutional frameworks and commended its efforts to ensure that the Global South acts as a co-architect of global AI governance rather than an audience. He also expressed interest in Lesotho taking part in AIFOD's upcoming Geneva Summit 2026 at the Palais des Nations. Both sides agreed to maintain contact in the coming weeks to establish formal next steps for cooperation.