UNITED NATIONS, May 18 (APP): Pakistan has called for the removal of \u201cundue restrictions\u201d on providing to developing countries access to new and emerging technologies to enable them to make progress to address contemporary challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe underscore the imperative of removing barriers for gaining equitable and non-discriminatory access to scientific knowledge, equipment, material, and technology, including its transfer to developing nations,\u201d Ambassador Usman Jadoon, deputy permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, told UN Security Council\u2019s \u201cArria-Formula\u201d meeting on \u2018Unlocking the Potential of Science for Peace and Security.\u2019<\/p>\n
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Switzerland convened the 15-member Council meeting under the format of the Arria formula, which is named after a former Venezuelan UN ambassador, Diego Arriva. It is a very informal consultation process that allows the Council to hear persons in a confidential, informal setting.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnless fair and equitable access to new and emerging technologies is provided to developing countries, and all undue restrictions removed, the Global South will lag even further behind in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),\u201d Ambassador Jadoon added.<\/p>\n
Opening the meeting, Thomas Gurber, State Secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, said that the 15-member Council has a mandate to deal with the many crises that are shaking the world.<\/p>\n
But, he said, even in these difficult times, the world community needed to take a longer-term view,\u2019 noting that the number of conflicts was increasing and the challenges to peace and security becoming ever more complex.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe consequences of climate change are exacerbating existing risks, new technologies are having a profound impact on our societies and disinformation is threatening trust between states,\u201d the top Swiss official added.<\/p>\n
In his remarks, Ambassador Jadoon said that Pakistan recognizes the transformative potential of science in advancing peace and security.<\/p>\n
\u201cScientific knowledge and tools also enable us to anticipate threats more effectively,\u201d the Pakistani envoy said, pointing out that climate modeling, disease surveillance systems, and early warning mechanisms have demonstrated the power of scientific data in informing proactive responses.<\/p>\n
At the same time, he said, modern science and technologies have also led to the advent of new tools of warfare \u2013 moving from sticks and stones to gun powder to nuclear weapons and cyber warfare. \u201cThe use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled autonomous weapons is poised to be the new revolution in military affairs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToday,\u201d Ambassador Jadoon warned that the convergence of AI and information warfare \u2013 marked by the exponential proliferation of disinformation through online platforms and social media \u2013 was also being used to wage \u201chybrid warfare\u201d for fomenting social discord and spreading propaganda leading to discrimination, hate speech, stigmatization, racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia.<\/p>\n
In this regard, he reiterated Pakistan\u2019s concerns about the unregulated military applications of emerging technologies and supported calls for establishing legally-binding norms to regulate their use, ensuring regional and global stability.<\/p>\n
In conclusion, he reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s commitment to unlocking the potential of science for peace and progress, advocating for responsible scientific practices and international cooperation to build a safer and more prosperous future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UNITED NATIONS, May 18 (APP): Pakistan has called for the removal of \u201cundue restrictions\u201d on providing to developing countries access to new and emerging technologies to enable them to make progress to address contemporary challenges. \u201cWe underscore the imperative of removing barriers for gaining equitable […]<\/p>\n
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