At a United Nations General Assembly session focused on strategic capacity building, Saudi Arabia called for enhanced global collaboration to prevent terrorist groups from leveraging artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies. Abdulaziz Alwasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, underscored the urgency of nations sharing knowledge, bolstering national defenses, and investing in long-term initiatives to counteract emerging security challenges. Alwasil cautioned that technological advancements have opened new avenues for extremist factions to recruit, disseminate propaganda, secure funding, and orchestrate attacks.
Yemen was highlighted as a critical area, with Alwasil noting the exploitation of technologies like drones by terrorist entities, including the Houthi militia and Al-Qaeda. He urged that governments must enhance their readiness to counter the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by terror networks. Alwasil emphasized that effective counterterrorism is not solely reliant on military actions but also on robust institutions, contemporary legal frameworks, and international partnerships. It’s crucial, he said, to tailor capacity-building endeavors to the unique needs and objectives of each nation, ensuring these efforts are conducted in close collaboration with their respective governments for enduring impact.
Saudi Arabia’s contributions to international counterterrorism were also spotlighted by Alwasil. The Kingdom played a pivotal role in the establishment of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre in 2011 and has contributed $110 million to aid member states in the execution of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Saudi Arabia actively participates in global initiatives like the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh, and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition. Furthermore, the Kingdom initiated the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, known as Etidal, which leverages advanced technology to track extremist content, counter online propaganda, and raise public awareness.
Alwasil also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government. He stated that the Kingdom has collaborated with local authorities to fortify the nation’s security institutions, enhancing their capability to identify and dismantle financial and logistical networks that support terrorist factions. Efforts have also been made to prevent the transfer of advanced technology and military resources to extremists. According to Alwasil, these initiatives have bolstered security and stability in the region by curbing opportunities for terrorist organizations to exploit instability and broaden their operations.