During a United Nations General Assembly session focused on strategic capacity building, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil, called for enhanced international collaboration to prevent terrorist groups from exploiting artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Alwasil underscored the importance of nations working together by sharing expertise, bolstering national capabilities, and investing in long-term initiatives to tackle evolving security threats. He expressed concern that rapid technological advancements have opened new avenues for extremist groups to recruit, spread propaganda, finance operations, and plan attacks.
Alwasil highlighted Yemen as an area needing urgent attention, noting that terrorist organizations, including the Houthi militia and Al-Qaeda, are attempting to harness technologies such as drones. He emphasized the necessity for governments to enhance their preparedness to keep up with the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by terrorist networks. According to Alwasil, effective counterterrorism strategies extend beyond military and security efforts and require strong institutions, modern legal frameworks, international partnerships, and sustained investment in human and technical expertise.
The Saudi envoy advocated for capacity-building efforts tailored to the specific needs of individual countries, conducted in close cooperation with their governments, to ensure enduring outcomes. He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in global counterterrorism efforts, mentioning the Kingdom’s instrumental contribution to the establishment of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre in 2011, along with a total of $110 million provided to assist member states in implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
Saudi Arabia’s active participation in initiatives such as the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh, and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition was also noted. Additionally, the Kingdom established the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, known as Etidal, which leverages advanced technology to monitor extremist content, counter online propaganda, and promote public awareness.
Furthermore, Alwasil pointed to Saudi Arabia’s ongoing support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government, emphasizing the Kingdom’s efforts to strengthen the country’s security institutions in collaboration with local authorities. These initiatives, he stated, have enhanced the ability to identify and disrupt financial and logistical networks supporting terrorist groups, while preventing the transfer of advanced technology and military capabilities to extremists. According to Alwasil, such measures have contributed to improved security and stability by curbing opportunities for terrorist organizations to exploit instability and expand their operations.
