Twenty countries and the EU call for international oversight of frontier AI

A joint statement dated 22 September 2026, published by the Dutch government, is signed by leaders from 20 countries and the President of the European Commission, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Singapore and South Africa. It says frontier AI must stay under human direction, oversight and control. It calls for company safety protocols with pre-deployment testing, common standards and shared reporting of serious incidents, and for UN members to explore an international institution that could set standards and convene states. The United States and China are not among the signatories. The text says it remains open for further endorsement.

What it means for business: a political statement, not a law.