Thank you, Chair.
The United Kingdom expresses its gratitude to the Swiss Chairpersonship and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities for convening this important Forum. Meetings mandated by the OSCE play a crucial role in all three dimensions of regional security. It is important to note our disappointment that certain nations have once again obstructed legitimate discussions concerning human rights, democracy, and media freedom.
Harnessing Technology for Security
As we gather here in Prague, our agenda appropriately centres on how anticipatory technologies, strategic foresight, and science-based diplomacy can enhance security and stability throughout the OSCE region.
The rapid pace of technological advancement offers considerable opportunities. Artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, and other leading-edge technologies can enhance early warning systems, identify interconnected economic and environmental risks, bolster public services, and aid responses to humanitarian crises. However, these same technologies have the potential to exacerbate disinformation, facilitate hostile actions, and heighten instability when misapplied or used without adequate safeguards.
To maximise the benefits of these innovations, responsible governance and genuine multistakeholder collaboration are essential. It is imperative that states, international organisations, businesses, academia, and civil society join forces to create inclusive, secure, and sustainable digital ecosystems. Technology must be at the service of humanity, honour human rights, and uphold public trust.
The Impact of Conflict on Security
These discussions cannot be divorced from the context of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine. The ongoing aggression by Russia continues to inflict significant economic, environmental, and humanitarian harm, particularly through assaults on Ukraine’s energy, water, and other civilian infrastructure. The UK welcomes the practical efforts of the OSCE to assess the environmental repercussions of the war, mitigate long-term risks, and assist Ukraine in its recovery and resilience. We remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine.
Additionally, we must not overlook the broader spectrum of hybrid threats. Technology-enabled disinformation, cyber-attacks, sabotage, transnational repression, and foreign interference are crafted to exploit vulnerabilities, undermine critical infrastructure, and destabilise our democracies. In July, the UK enacted the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026, which grants new powers to designate and disrupt organisations engaged in activities that pose threats from foreign powers. This legislation empowers the UK government to treat proxy organisations as if they were foreign intelligence services.
Strengthening Collective Resilience
Moreover, the UK and the EU have implemented their first joint cyber sanctions package, targeting Russian state, criminal, and proxy networks responsible for cyber-attacks across Europe. These actions follow the UK’s most extensive counter-FIMI sanctions package to date, aimed at individuals and entities involved in Russian malign influence and destabilisation efforts in Ukraine. Such measures underscore our resolve to expose hostile activities, impose consequences, and bolster collective resilience.
The OSCE should work to integrate efforts across its various dimensions, enhance early warning systems and situational awareness, and create practical tools to assist participating states in identifying, preventing, and responding to hybrid threats, all while upholding human rights.
The United Kingdom stands ready to support these initiatives and ensure that technological advancements contribute to a safer, more resilient, and humane future.
Thank you.