Pakistan flags evolving nexus between terrorism, technology

UNITED NATIONS:

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations, on Friday called for strengthening multilateral cooperation and coordinated global responses to counter a growing and evolving threat of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations at an event held at UN Headquarters in New York.

"We must enhance information-sharing, build resilient digital ecosystems, and ensure that international frameworks are updated to address the evolving nexus between terrorism and technology," he told participants at the event organized by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan and the United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT).

In his opening remarks, the Pakistani envoy underscored the need to deal with the root causes of extremism, including xenophobia, racism, and intolerance that fuel cycles of violence. "Only through collective resolve, strengthened partnerships, and a renewed commitment to the principles of the UN Charter can we hope to effectively confront and defeat the threat of terrorism in the digital age."

Friday's event on "New and Emerging trends in terrorism" provided a platform for exchange of views from varying perspectives presented by diplomats, UN policy experts, civil society, and counter terrorism experts from the private sector and academia. It was co-chaired by Ambassador Asim Ahmad and the UN's Acting Under Secretary General of the UNOCT, Alexander Zouev.

Panelists included Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong; the Coordinator for the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, Colin Smith; the Member of UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria and former Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights, Professor Fionnuala Ni Aolain; the Clinical Assistant Professor, New York University's Center for Global Affairs, Dr. Olajumoke Ayandele; UNOCT's Human Rights and Gender Section, Ms. Krisztina Huszti-Orban; the Resident Senior Fellow for South Asia, Atlantic Council, Michael Kugelman; the Executive Director of Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), Ms. Naureen Chowdhury Fink; and the Principal Strategic Advisor to Christchurch Call Foundation, Ms. Mackenzie Rice.

In his remarks , Ambassador Asim Ahmad gave an overview of the fast evolving threat landscape, xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief, gaps in the global counter terrorism architecture and sanctions regimes, limitations for national governments to combat threats beyond national jurisdictions and challenges towards accountability of commercial social media platform providers and technology companies. He also gave an overview of regional perspectives and increasing use of modern means by terrorist groups to orchestrate terrorist attacks and shed light on the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.