In a United Nations General Assembly session focused on enhancing strategic capabilities, Saudi Arabia has urged the international community to enhance collaboration to counteract the use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies by terrorist organizations. Abdulaziz Alwasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, stressed the importance of countries uniting by sharing knowledge, fortifying national strengths, and investing in enduring capacity-building measures to combat evolving security threats. According to Alwasil, the swift progression of technology offers extremist groups new avenues to recruit, disseminate propaganda, fund operations, and orchestrate attacks.
Alwasil specifically identified Yemen as a critical area of concern, noting that terrorist groups, including the Houthi militia and Al-Qaeda, are attempting to leverage technologies such as drones and advanced systems. He underscored the necessity for governments to enhance their readiness to keep up with the increasingly complex tactics employed by terrorist networks. Alwasil emphasized that effective counterterrorism strategies must extend beyond just military and security responses. Robust institutions, up-to-date legal frameworks, global partnerships, and sustained investment in both human and technical expertise are vital for countering terrorism and violent extremism.
The Saudi envoy also highlighted the need for capacity-building efforts to be tailored to the specific needs and priorities of individual countries, implemented in collaboration with their governments to ensure enduring success. Highlighting Saudi Arabia’s role in international counterterrorism efforts, Alwasil noted the Kingdom’s instrumental role in the establishment of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre in 2011, along with providing $110 million to assist member states in adopting the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
Saudi Arabia continues to actively participate in initiatives such as the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh, and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition. Additionally, the Kingdom founded the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, known as Etidal, which employs cutting-edge technology to monitor extremist content, combat online propaganda, and promote public awareness.
Alwasil also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ongoing support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government, emphasizing the Kingdom’s efforts to bolster the country’s security institutions in cooperation with local authorities. These initiatives, he stated, have enhanced the ability to identify and disrupt financial and logistical networks that support terrorist organizations while preventing the transfer of advanced technology and military capabilities to extremists. According to Alwasil, such efforts have contributed to increased security and stability by reducing opportunities for terrorist groups to exploit instability and expand their operations.