Saudi Arabia is urging for enhanced international collaboration to prevent terrorist groups from leveraging artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to their advantage. During a United Nations General Assembly session focused on strategic capacity building, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil, underscored the importance of global cooperation in sharing expertise, bolstering national capabilities, and investing in long-term initiatives to counter evolving security threats.
Alwasil expressed concerns that rapid technological advancements have opened new avenues for extremist organizations to recruit members, disseminate propaganda, finance operations, and orchestrate attacks. He particularly pointed out Yemen as a region that demands urgent attention, noting that groups such as the Houthi militia and Al-Qaeda are attempting to exploit technologies like drones. Alwasil emphasized the necessity for governments to enhance their readiness to counter the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by terrorist networks.
The Saudi envoy highlighted that effective counterterrorism strategies should encompass more than just military and security measures. He advocated for the development of robust institutions, modern legal frameworks, and international partnerships, alongside sustained investments in human and technical resources. According to Alwasil, these capacity-building efforts should be customized to suit the unique needs and priorities of each country, working closely with their governments to ensure enduring results.
Alwasil also emphasized Saudi Arabia’s significant role in global counterterrorism endeavors. The Kingdom was instrumental in establishing the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre in 2011 and has contributed $110 million towards supporting member states in implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Additionally, Saudi Arabia is actively 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 founded the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, known as Etidal, which employs advanced technology to monitor extremist content, counter online propaganda, and raise public awareness.
Furthermore, Alwasil highlighted Saudi Arabia’s consistent support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government, noting efforts to strengthen the country’s security institutions in collaboration with local authorities. These initiatives, he stated, have enhanced the capacity to identify and disrupt financial and logistical networks that support terrorist groups, 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 limiting opportunities for terrorist organizations to exploit instability and expand their operations.