Saudi Arabia has underscored the importance of enhanced global collaboration to thwart terrorist groups from leveraging artificial intelligence and other advancing technologies. Speaking at a United Nations General Assembly session focused on strategic capacity building, Abdulaziz Alwasil, the Saudi Permanent Representative to the UN, highlighted the necessity for nations to exchange knowledge, bolster their national capabilities, and invest in sustainable capacity-building measures to counter evolving security threats effectively.
Alwasil cautioned that the swift progress in technology is providing extremist factions with new means to recruit, disseminate propaganda, fund their operations, and orchestrate attacks. He pointed out the situation in Yemen as particularly concerning, with groups such as the Houthi militia and Al-Qaeda attempting to exploit technologies like drones and other sophisticated systems. To combat these threats, he emphasized that governments need to enhance their readiness to keep up with the increasingly advanced tactics employed by terrorist networks.
Beyond military and security measures, Alwasil stressed the significance of building robust institutions, developing modern legal frameworks, fostering international partnerships, and investing continually in both human and technological expertise to fight terrorism and violent extremism. He advocated for capacity-building efforts that cater to the unique requirements and priorities of each country, ensuring these initiatives are implemented in close cooperation with their governments to achieve enduring outcomes.
Saudi Arabia’s active participation in global counterterrorism efforts was also highlighted by Alwasil. He noted the Kingdom’s pivotal role in the establishment of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre in 2011, with Saudi Arabia contributing a total of $110 million to aid member states in executing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Additionally, Saudi Arabia is involved in initiatives such as the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh, and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition. The Kingdom also launched the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, known as Etidal, which utilizes advanced technology to track extremist content, counteract online propaganda, and raise public awareness.
Furthermore, Alwasil highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ongoing support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government, asserting that the Kingdom has collaborated with local authorities to bolster the country’s security institutions. These efforts have enhanced the capacity to detect and disrupt financial and logistical networks that support terrorist entities while preventing the transfer of advanced technology and military capabilities to extremists. According to Alwasil, these initiatives have significantly contributed to the enhancement of security and stability, limiting the opportunities for terrorist groups to capitalize on instability and broaden their operations.