Emerging Technologies and Cyber

Emerging Technologies and Cyber are developing at an ever increasing pace and have a lasting transformative impact on all aspects of society. They offer us enormous opportunities and potential, while confront us as well with the associated challenges and risks to global security, human rights, and inclusive growth. An informed approach is imperative to convert these developments into progress.

The Netherlands is committed to international cooperation on Emerging Technology and Cyber. We therefore participate actively in various forums and coordinate with a range of stakeholders in the field of human rights, humanitarian and economic affairs, like civil society, academia and industries.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) can complement our endeavours to reach social and economic goals, and to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms. This means that AI can be used to promote the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, there are also risks associated with AI. The applications of AI could contribute to unintentional consequences and possible escalation of armed conflict as well as being misused for repressive and authoritarian purposes.

To address these risks, the Netherlands is a leading advocate for the responsible use of AI in the military domain (REAIM) and co-hosted with the Republic of Korea the first global summit on this theme in 2023. The summit provided a platform for all stakeholders to discuss the opportunities, dilemmas, and vulnerabilities connected with military use of AI. The main output of the summit was the REAIM 2023 Call to Action, which enjoys broad support.

Listen to our DigitalDots Talks podcast: How to keep up with Artificial Intelligence?
Podcast interview with Dr. Giacomo Persi Paoli of the United Nations Institute on Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)
 

Cyber and Digitalisation

Cyber makes the world more interconnected through information technology than before and affects everyone. This demands a proactive approach to secure a safe, open, and free internet, which is essential to achieve the SDGs as well as our commitments to the principles of human rights and democracy.

The Netherlands employs a holistic approach in its efforts by coupling the earlier mentioned aims with our support for the implementation of international law, the multistakeholder model for internet governance, and responsible online state behaviour. For this reason, we participate in multilateral negotiations, like the Global Digital Compact for the Summit of the Future in 2024 and the WSIS+20 review in 2025. Moreover we are member of the Freedom Online Coalition, contribute to the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, and collaborate with non-governmental partners. In line with are values in regard to feminist foreign policy, also co-founded the Women in International Security and Cyberspace Fellowship.

More in our DigitalDots Talks podcast series: podcast interviews about digital issues and the role of international Geneva in shaping our digital future.
 

Space

Today’s society is defined by the fast pace of digitisation and interconnectedness, which is only possible because of the countless applications space offers us. To foster global development and prosperity, we are therefore increasingly reliant on a safe, secure, and sustainable outer space.

The Netherlands regards outer space as a global commons, to be used for the benefit of all countries, and cautions for an arms race in space and space threats. Effective multilateralism grounded in the UN framework is essential in providing global governance of outer space as well preventing an arms race. International law, such as the UN Charter, international humanitarian law and the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, is applicable to outer space and should guide our space activities.

Currently, the UN convened in 2022 the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviour. The Netherlands argues that the OEWG should serve as a vehicle to reaffirm the applicability of international law and its outcome should complement the relevant traditional disarmament and arms control tools. This way, the OEWG is intended to help build transparency and confidence in the conduct of space activities, so it’s use remains in the interest of all countries.