The Security Council’s counter-terrorism team to review the growing threat posed by new technologies |
The two-day meeting in India marks the first time since 2015, that the Council has convened outside the UN Headquarters in New York.
The discussion will focus on three areas: Internet and social media; money for global freight networks; and the advancement of unmanned aerial systems, such as drones.
These emerging technologies are being rapidly developed and used more and more frequently by countries all over the world, including for homeland security and counter-terrorism purposes.
But high-tech software and hardware are also misused by terrorist groups for their own illegitimate ends.
Terrorists hijacking technology
India chairs the Counter-Terrorism Committee until the end of this year. Briefing journalists in New York, the President of the Commission, Indian Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, said that the summit will reflect on recent developments and research based on new evidence on terrorism and the use of technology.
He said it would bring together “a lot of scientific and real-world knowledge on the subject, with the participation of Member States, relevant operational partners and important partners.”
The meeting will provide a platform to exchange ideas on how the technology sector can help combat the spread of terrorist content online and effectively counter terrorist narratives.
Furthermore, they hope to discuss how techno-terrorists are using technological innovations to move money around, through lots of money, sales, appeals for donations through social media platforms, and another way.
Drones and AI
Another concern that will be explored is the potential use of 3-D printing, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, unmanned aerial systems, and synthetic biotechnology, for illegal ends.
On the increasing use of drones, the President of the Commission for Information Technologies, Jennifer Bramlet, said that Member States have already taken some steps to combat it.
“Of course, communities do not fly around airports and critical infrastructure. Of course, the companies themselves have taken steps to build in devices for geo-tile locking so that if we see drones flying in certain places, they can be activated automatically,” he added.
He said there are still “a number of discussions” going on, on how to sell drones, “and who can buy them.”
There is growing concern over the misuse of information and communication technologies by terrorists, particularly the Internet and new digital technologies.
End of contract
Due to the complexity of the whole issue, and its rapid evolution, the hope is that members will work towards a final document that should provide an overview of how terrorists use technology, aiming to close their history and using technology down.
Member States are also expected to update on recent developments and research on threats and share best practices that are in line with international human rights law.
Collective measures that can be taken through industry collaboration, private-sector partnerships and legislative, policy and regulatory responses, will also be discussed.
About the Board
The Counter-Terrorism Committee was established by consensus on 28 September 2001, following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, and all 15 Security Council members sit on it.
The Commission is tasked with monitoring the implementation of measures to strengthen the legal and institutional capacities of countries, at all levels, locally and internationally.
Briefing journalists, the President of the Commission recalled that “any act of terrorism is not justified, regardless of motivation”.
Ambassador Kamboj said that day one of the meeting will be held at the iconic venue, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai, to pay tribute to the dozens of victims who were killed there in 2008 by terrorists during the day siege. a four Dozens more were killed across the city in other coordinated attacks by militants.
The second day will be held in the capital of India, New Delhi.
He added that because the terrorist epidemic is clearly an “international” issue, cooperation between Member States is essential to provide effective solutions.
