The UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence is the first global normative instrument addressing ethical governance of AI, adopted unanimously by 193 Member States at the 41st UNESCO General Conference. It provides a comprehensive framework grounded in human rights, human dignity, and environmental sustainability, guiding states in developing laws and policies that ensure fairness, accountability, and inclusiveness in AI systems. The Recommendation promotes mechanisms such as ethical impact assessments, algorithmic transparency, and governance structures for monitoring AI’s societal and ecological impacts. By articulating principles of proportionality, justice, and human oversight, it has become a cornerstone reference for emerging national and regional AI ethics strategies, reinforcing the global move toward trustworthy and human-centred AI governance.