Saudi Arabia is advocating for enhanced global collaboration to thwart the misuse of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies by terrorist groups. During a session at the United Nations General Assembly focused on strategic capacity building, Abdulaziz Alwasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, underscored the importance of nations uniting to share knowledge, bolster national capabilities, and invest in sustainable capacity-building measures to confront evolving security challenges.
Alwasil cautioned that technological advancements have opened new avenues for extremist factions to recruit members, disseminate propaganda, secure funding, and orchestrate attacks. He cited Yemen as a critical region requiring focused attention, noting that terrorist organizations like the Houthi militia and Al-Qaeda are attempting to leverage technologies such as drones and other sophisticated systems. Alwasil emphasized that governments must enhance their readiness to match the increasingly advanced tactics employed by terrorist networks.
The Saudi envoy highlighted that addressing terrorism effectively involves more than just military and security actions. He advocated for the development of robust institutions, modern legal systems, international collaboration, and continuous investment in human and technical expertise as essential components in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. Alwasil also mentioned that capacity-building efforts should be customized to fit the specific needs and objectives of individual countries, undertaken in close collaboration with their governments to ensure sustainable outcomes.
Illustrating Saudi Arabia’s role in global counterterrorism, Alwasil pointed out the Kingdom’s significant contribution to the establishment of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre in 2011, including providing $110 million to assist member states with the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Saudi Arabia actively participates in initiatives like the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh, and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition. Furthermore, the Kingdom set up the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, known as Etidal, which employs cutting-edge technology to monitor extremist content, counter online propaganda, and boost public awareness.
Alwasil also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s continuous support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government, emphasizing that the Kingdom has been working to reinforce Yemen’s security institutions in cooperation with local authorities. These efforts, he noted, have enhanced the capacity to detect and dismantle financial and logistical networks aiding terrorist groups, while also preventing the transfer of advanced technology and military capabilities to extremists. According to Alwasil, these initiatives have played a crucial role in enhancing security and stability by reducing opportunities for terrorist organizations to exploit instability and expand their operations.