Saudi Arabia has urged for enhanced global collaboration to prevent terrorist groups from leveraging artificial intelligence and other modern technologies. During a United Nations General Assembly session focused on strategic capacity building, Abdulaziz Alwasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, stressed the importance of countries uniting to share knowledge, boost national capabilities, and invest in long-term initiatives to counter emerging security threats.
Alwasil cautioned that technological advancements have opened new avenues for extremist factions to recruit, disseminate propaganda, fundraise, and orchestrate attacks. He specifically pointed to Yemen as a region of concern, noting that terrorist entities such as the Houthi militia and Al-Qaeda are attempting to exploit technologies like drones and sophisticated systems. He underscored the necessity for governments to enhance their readiness to keep up with the evolving tactics employed by terrorist networks.
Emphasizing that counterterrorism requires more than just military and security measures, the Saudi envoy advocated for the establishment of robust institutions, the development of modern legal frameworks, and the fostering of international partnerships. He highlighted the importance of continuous investment in human and technical expertise to effectively combat terrorism and violent extremism. Alwasil also mentioned that capacity-building efforts should be tailored to the unique needs and priorities of individual nations and should be conducted in close collaboration with their governments to achieve enduring outcomes.
In highlighting Saudi Arabia’s role in global counterterrorism efforts, Alwasil noted the Kingdom’s pivotal role in the creation of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre in 2011, along with its contribution of $110 million to aid member states in executing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Saudi Arabia actively participates in initiatives such as the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh, and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition. The Kingdom also established the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, known as Etidal, which utilizes advanced technology to monitor extremist content and counter online propaganda.
Alwasil also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ongoing support for the internationally recognized government of Yemen, emphasizing the Kingdom’s efforts to bolster the country’s security institutions in collaboration with local authorities. These initiatives have enhanced the ability to detect and dismantle financial and logistical networks supporting terrorist groups, while preventing the transfer of advanced technology and military capabilities to extremists. According to Alwasil, these efforts have contributed to greater security and stability by reducing opportunities for terrorist organizations to exploit instability and expand their operations.