Envoy calls for awareness on emerging technologies

China proposed five solutions to prevent the potential risks and conflicts by the application of emerging technologies during an informal meeting at the United Nations on Monday.

"The rapid development of emerging technologies is leading to a new round of scientific and technological revolution and injecting strong impetus into human progress. They bring both opportunities and challenges," said Ambassador Zhang Jun, permanent representative of China to the UN.

He made the remarks at "the Impact of Emerging Technologies on International Peace and Security" meeting. The conference, held at the initiative of China, which holds the presidency of the Security Council for the month of May, was the first ever meeting on emerging technologies. He chaired the meeting.

Zhang said China proposed five solutions to find better ways to develop, use and govern emerging technologies to benefit people around the world while keeping risks under control.

First is the need to promote innovation-driven development and comprehensively improve the development and application of science and technology in all countries to narrow the digital divide, he said.

Zhang suggested the international community strengthen capacity-building through the application of emerging technologies to raise all countries' capabilities to fight the pandemic, tackle climate change and maintain food, energy and data security.

Second, Zhang said, is the need to create favorable conditions to encourage healthy competition and prevent a monopoly on technology. All countries should pursue open development and meet the challenges in the process of development.

"Unilateralism, protectionism and technological hegemony should be firmly opposed. We need to uphold international fairness and justice, promote equal and mutually beneficial cooperation," he said.

Global governance

Third is the need to strengthen global governance to better regulate the development and application of emerging technologies. More efforts should be made to formulate relevant international instruments to fill the gaps in rules, norms and order, Zhang said.

Fourth is the need to fully recognize the potential risks and challenges of emerging technologies to better maintain international peace and security, said the envoy.

He suggested that the international community ensure technological innovation complies with the law and universally recognized international norms.

"We must ensure emerging technologies are of the people, by the people and for the people."

Fifth is the need to strengthen coordination to support the central role of the UN.

The UN should pay more attention to emerging technologies, study and explore the establishment of a democratic, transparent and inclusive framework for international cooperation and governance from the perspectives of peace, development and security, he said.

Monday's Arria-formula meeting is a flexible and informal mechanism for Security Council members to exchange views with UN member states and interested parties on issues of common concern.