Arria-Formula meeting on

The impact of Emerging Technologies on International Peace and Security

INDIA STATEMENT

By

Ambassador K. Nagaraj Naidu

Deputy Permanent Representative

17 May 2021

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Chairperson,

1. Thank you for giving me the floor. I take this opportunity to thank the organisers and co-hosts for organising this Arria meeting on an important topic. I welcome Under-Secretary General Nakamitsu and other briefers to the meeting and thank them for their valuable insights.

2. Since the invention of the wheel, innovations in science and technology have spurred human well-being and prosperity. They have overwhelmingly been forces for the benefit of humanity. Recent years have seen a dramatically accelerating pace in the development and adoption of new and emerging technologies. They represent a significant opportunity to achieve the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that innovation and new technologies are consistent with a free, open, inclusive and resilient world.

3. India has long been fostering scientific and technological innovation and nurturing an enabling ecosystem to incubate and scale up scientific ideas to help improve the quality of lives of our people and to provide sustainable solutions to global challenges. India’s scientific achievements in space, information and communication technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals are well-known. To cite a recent example, India is a member of leading international scientific coalitions and global efforts in vaccine research. India is now the global hub for manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines, including one indigenously developed vaccine. Additionally, as many as 30 vaccine candidates are under various stages of development in India.

4. Emerging technologies have enormous economic and social benefits, but they also have an impact on international peace and security, especially due to their dual-use nature, ability to influence the future of warfare, and susceptibility to harmful uses by both state and non-state actors. Enhanced delegation of decision-making to machines, shortened response time and reduced thresholds of engagement can potentially exacerbate the risks of miscalculation and inadvertent escalation in conflicts or disputes. The race for cutting-edge technology research and development can accentuate strategic competition and also widen the technology divide. Emerging technologies also pose challenges to the existing arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation regimes.

5. The risks to international security increase manifold with the possibilities of such technologies falling in the hands of violent non-state actors. Ethical concerns arising from the wider use of emerging technologies and their compatibility with international law, and International Humanitarian Law in particular, also need the attention of the international community. Another aspect of concern is the use of technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) by States, for violation of human rights and enforcement of draconian laws, which calls for the attention of the entire international community. We need to work towards building common ground and consensus so as to mitigate the risks from this rapidly evolving realm of emerging technologies to international peace and security. Anchored in the principles of cooperation and transparency under the rubric of UN, our efforts and the corresponding measures should not stifle innovation or hamper the development of peaceful uses of emerging technologies.

6. India is mindful of the rapid pace of developments in emerging technologies with ensuing benefits for mankind as well as potential challenges for international peace and security. The security dimensions of these technologies go beyond the SDG16 on peace and security. India has been highlighting the same through an annual Resolution on the ‘Role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament’ in the General Assembly. This Resolution, adopted by consensus since 2017, has underlined the need for a system-wide assessment of the potential impact of S&T developments on international security and disarmament. India supports and actively participates in discussions relating to emerging technologies in various multilateral fora of the United Nations and specialized agencies, and within the framework of international treaties to which India is party.

7. Today, I will submit a SIX point action plan focussing on some critical areas, which, we believe, should be factored in by the Council in the coming years, while discussing critical and emerging technologies at the multilateral platform :

i. One, the critical concern of terrorist groups acquiring such technologies. We are witnessing the sophisticated use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) by terrorists around the world to broaden their appeal, spread virulent propaganda, incite hatred and violence, recruit and raise funds. In this regard, I would like to underscore the need for member states to address more strategically the implications of terrorist exploitation of technological and digital innovation. The commercialization of emerging technologies, including in WMDs, necessitates addressing the risk of proliferation of such technologies by States or non-State actors. On the other hand, the potential of technology to assist in the full spectrum of counter-terrorism efforts also needs to be fully tapped. We just heard last week from UNITAD on how the use of emerging technologies can ensure accountability and deliver justice for victims of war crimes and genocide committed by the Islamic State.

ii. Two, States leveraging emerging technologies to augment contemporary forms of cross-border terrorism must be nipped in the bud. The world is already witnessing acts of cyber terrorism, attacks on critical infrastructure, misuse of drone technology, attempts to disrupt social harmony through radicalisation etc. Emerging technologies, for instance the use of machine learning and big data, have the potential to improve the lethality of such acts, posing a grave threat to international peace and security.

iii. Three, re-inventing peacekeeping with advanced tech enablers. UN Peacekeeping missions face constant threats from armed groups, criminals, and terrorists, many of whom have access to increasingly sophisticated weapons and technology. Peacekeeping Missions cannot be expected to succeed in today’s complex environment without the ability to innovate and make effective use of new technology. As one of the largest contributing countries to UN Peacekeeping, I am happy to inform the Council that we are presently working with UNDPKO and Department of Operational Support in the development of a tech platform  - UNITE AWARE - that will assist UN Peacekeepers maintain situational awareness and carry out their mandates more efficiently. We hope to launch this platform jointly with UN DPKO under our August Presidency and seek the support of the entire Council in taking this further forward. The use of this platform can also enhance the safety and security of UN personnel serving in difficult, remote, and dangerous environments, thereby contributing to greater international peace and security.

iv. Four, the need to engage the private sector. Much of the research and development efforts in the realm of emerging technologies are being led by the private sector, whose capacities and capabilities to translate scientific research into innovative products and services have increased substantially over the years. The private sector is now a key stakeholder and the views from private sector organisations must be taken into account at multilateral fora holding such technology-related discussions.

v. Five, the need to strengthen S&T review mechanisms in existing international instruments and addressing the effect of technological developments on international peace and security. A coordinated and effective global response to challenges posed by technological developments of relevance to international conventions necessitates in-depth discussions on how to promote S&T’s peaceful applications and prevent their misuse. In this regard, India has consistently supported and welcomed the regular review of developments in S&T relevant to the implementation of such Conventions like the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). India has also been actively participating in the discussions in the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS).   

vi. Six, the necessity to bridge the ‘Technology gap’. Science, technology and innovation (STI) should become an inclusive and equitable tool for development and prosperity based on affordable and accessible technological innovation. When we address long term threats to sustainability and security, it is imperative that we utilise existing mechanisms or create new avenues of partnership by pooling resources and sharing knowledge. Strengthened S&T cooperation between member states and with other stakeholders through transfer of technology and capacity building, particularly the youth, is key to delivering on the promises of sustainable development. Such cooperation should be undertaken in the spirit of collaboration and with full respect for sovereignty of the recipient states.

8. In conclusion, let me reiterate again that the global community needs to leverage emerging technologies for the benefit of the entire humankind and not for a select few. This should continue to be our guiding principle on this debate.

I thank you Mr. President.

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