US Secretary Of State Antony Blinken Pledges $200 Million For Sudan Aid At UN Meeting

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $200 million in humanitarian aid for war-torn Sudan during a UN Security Council meeting on Thursday, according to AP. He highlighted the severity of the crisis in Sudan, describing it as one of the worst humanitarian emergencies globally.

The pledged funds aim to provide essential food, shelter, and healthcare to those affected by the conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions since it began last year, AP reported. Blinken also expressed a commitment to collaborate with Congress to secure an additional $30 million to support Sudan’s transition to democratic governance.

“Sudan is facing one of the most dire humanitarian crises on the face of the planet,” said State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel.

With this latest announcement, total US humanitarian aid for Sudan now exceeds $2.3 billion since the outbreak of the conflict.

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Artificial intelligence

During another Security Council session, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the global impact of artificial intelligence, highlighting its potential benefits as well as its risks. He cautioned against the misuse of AI by authoritarian regimes for surveillance purposes and raised concerns about the dangers of weaponized AI malfunctions.

“By setting rules of the road for AI, we can minimize risks and harness the exceptional promise of this technology,” Blinken emphasized.

No confrontation with Russia

While Blinken participated in discussions with Russian diplomats, including Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, the interactions remained devoid of direct confrontations. Despite broader geopolitical tensions, both the US and Russia acknowledged the importance of ethical AI development.

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