Pakistan has urged the international community to eliminate barriers that hinder developing countries’ access to new and emerging technologies, citing their significance in addressing contemporary challenges. Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Pakistan’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, emphasized this during the UN Security Council’s “Arria-Formula” meeting on ‘Unlocking the Potential of Science for Peace and Security.’
Hosted by Switzerland, the informal consultation under the Arria formula facilitated discussions on providing equitable access to scientific knowledge, equipment, materials, and technology to developing nations. Ambassador Jadoon highlighted the importance of removing undue restrictions, stating that without fair access, the Global South might struggle to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Thomas Gurber, State Secretary of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, stressed the Council’s responsibility to address global crises and emphasized the necessity of a long-term perspective amidst escalating conflicts and complex challenges to peace and security.
Acknowledging the transformative power of science in promoting peace and security, Ambassador Jadoon underscored the role of scientific knowledge and tools in anticipating threats effectively. He mentioned examples such as climate modeling, disease surveillance systems, and early warning mechanisms.
However, he also raised concerns about the potential misuse of modern science and technologies in warfare, including the development of AI-enabled autonomous weapons. Ambassador Jadoon warned about the convergence of AI and information warfare, where online platforms are exploited to spread disinformation for purposes of “hybrid warfare,” inciting social discord and propagating discrimination, hate speech, stigmatization, racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia.
