LONDON, Sept. 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued text of the following speech:
Thank you, Chair.
The United Kingdom thanks the Swiss Chairpersonship and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities for conveningthisForum.OSCE mandated meetings are vital in all three dimensions of regional security, and I reiterate for the record the UK's disappointment that certain countries have again blocked legitimate discussion of human rights,democracyand media freedom.
Here in Prague ouragenda rightly focuses on how anticipatory technologies, strategic foresight and science-based diplomacy can strengthen security and stability across the OSCE region.
Rapid technological change presents significant opportunities. Artificial intelligence, advanced dataanalysisand other frontier technologies can improve early warning,identifyinterconnected economic and environmental risks, strengthen public services and support responses to humanitarian crises. But these technologies can also amplify disinformation, enable hostileactivityand deepen instability when misused or deployed withoutappropriate safeguards.
Realising their benefits requires responsible governance and genuine multistakeholder cooperation. States, international organisations,businesses,academiaand civil society must work together to build inclusive,secureand sustainable digital ecosystems. Technology must serve people, respect humanrightsand reinforce public trust.
We cannot separate these discussions from Russia's illegal war against Ukraine. Russia's aggression continues to cause severe economic,environmentaland humanitarian damage, including through attacks on Ukraine's energy,waterand other civilian infrastructure. The UK welcomes practical OSCE work to assess the war's environmental consequences, reduce long-term risks and support Ukraine's recovery and resilience. We will continue to stand resolutely with Ukraine.
Nor can we ignore wider hybrid threats. Technology-enabled disinformation, cyber-attacks, sabotage, transnational repression,and foreign interference are designed to exploit vulnerabilities, undermine criticalinfrastructureand destabilise our democracies. In July, the UK adopted the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026, creating new powers todesignateand disrupt organisationsengaged inforeignpowerthreat activity,which enablesHMG totreatproxy organisations like foreignintelligenceservices. The UK and EU also issued their first joint cyber sanctions package, targeting Russian state,criminaland proxy networks responsible for cyber-attacks across Europe.
These measures follow the UK's largest counter-FIMI sanctions package to date, targeting individuals and entities involved in Russian malign influence and efforts to destabilise Ukraine. Theydemonstrateour determination to expose hostile activity, imposecostsand strengthen collective resilience.
The OSCE should connect work across its dimensions, strengthen early warning and situational awareness, and develop a practical toolbox to helpparticipatingStates detect,preventand respond to hybrid threats while respecting human rights.
The United Kingdom stands ready to support this work and help ensure technological progress contributes to a safer, moreresilientand more humane future.
Thank you.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
