On 17 September, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) convened a digital regional briefing on Security and Technology for African diplomats and experts. The goal was to arrange delegates, each in New York and in capitals, for the upcoming eightieth session of the First Committee of the General Assembly scheduled for October in New York. The briefing, organized in collaboration with UNODA’s Science, Technology and International Security Unit (STU), unpacked the rising international peace and security threats posed by synthetic intelligence, drones, and our on-line world. African diplomats and regional experts mirrored on international security and technology tendencies and mentioned their implications for Africa’s regional disarmament agenda.
The digital occasion gathered 56 African diplomats and experts together with 20 ladies representing 32 international locations particularly Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo and Tunisia. They have been joined by experts from the African Union Working Group on Cybersecurity, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and Kenya.
The first subject mentioned was cybersecurity. Participants have been briefed on developments in the space of knowledge and communications applied sciences (ICTs) at the United Nations since 1998 Participants have been knowledgeable of the latest institution of a brand new Global Mechanism on Information and Telecommunications (ICT) security in addition to AU methods to handle the affect of superior applied sciences on peace and security. Participants have been briefed on the long-standing multilateral efforts and mechanisms addressing cybersecurity and ICT-related peace and security and key achievements, reminiscent of the international factors of contact listing and the adoption of confidence-building measures. From a regional perspective, the briefer outlined a collection of suggestions, together with the adoption of a Common African Position on rising science, technology, and innovation (STI), harmonization of regional insurance policies, and elevated assets to counter the misuse of drones. The want for UN and regional our bodies to strengthen Member States’ capacities and improve regional cooperation on ICT and security was additionally famous.
The second subject mentioned was the proliferation and use of armed uncrewed aerial autos (UAVs or drones for brief), emphasizing their rising deployment in large-scale assaults resulting from affordability and accessibility. Participants have been briefed on the threats posed by non-State armed teams’ use of UAVs, usually in violation of International Humanitarian Law, with examples from a UNIDIR study on tendencies in Africa. Discussions coated present international management frameworks reminiscent of the Arms Trade Treaty and UN Security Council decision 1540, in addition to the challenges raised by the regulation of dual-use applied sciences, and the significance of autonomy of Member States. Discussions famous that whereas UAVs can function helpful instruments for authentic protection, their misuse by Non State Actor Groups s raises severe considerations. The exchanges included calls for stronger due diligence, drone business engagement, and domestication of international devices to curb illicit proliferation.
The third subject addressed the rising use of synthetic intelligence (AI) in the army area and its implications for international peace and security. Participants mirrored on the adoption of the 2024 UN General Assembly decision on the subject, the first of its type, in addition to different multilateral efforts in this space reminiscent of the convening of two international summits on AI Action and AI Safety, respectively. These developments underscore the urgency of taking motion to help the accountable use of AI. Kenya’s nationwide skilled mirrored on how AI is reshaping warfare by way of enhanced intelligence surveillance, autonomous programs, improved situational consciousness, and stronger cyber protection capabilities.
While recognizing the advantages of those technological developments, members additionally acknowledged considerations about the moral, authorized, and strategic dangers posed by army AI, notably in the absence of strong international regulation. Increased international cooperation and capacity-building was highlighted in this context. The dialogue additionally emphasised the significance of regional security coordination to stop fragmentation and mitigate dangers of an AI arms race. The continental AI technique, which promotes collaboration between the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, and international companions to implement inclusive governance and regulatory frameworks addressing dual-use considerations (civilian and army) and safeguarding international humanitarian norms, was additionally raised.
The digital regional briefing was born out of the statement that technology quickly advances alongside its implications for international peace and security. Hence why, the Member States’ rising curiosity and sense of urgency in addressing issues like ICTs, armed uncrewed aerial autos, synthetic intelligence and autonomy. The regional briefing for Africa was a platform to reflect on the newest developments in the fields of ICTs, armed uncrewed aerial autos and synthetic intelligence and took inventory of regional views, developments, and considerations concerning the security implications of rising applied sciences in Africa.