Briefing on “Anticipating the Impact of Scientific Developments on International Peace and Security”*
On Monday morning (21 October), the Security Council will convene for a briefing on “Anticipating the impact of scientific developments on international peace and security” under the “Maintenance of international peace and security” agenda item. Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis will chair the meeting, which is one of the signature events of Switzerland’s October Council presidency. The expected briefers are Robin Geiss, Director of the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR); Jocelyne Bloch, Center for Research in Neuroscience, Faculty of Biology and Medicine at the University of Lausanne; Grégoire Courtine, Professor at the Center for Neuroprosthetics and the Brain Mind Institute at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL); and Amin Awad, President of the Foundation Council of the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF).
Council members are currently negotiating a draft presidential statement proposed by Switzerland in connection with Monday’s meeting on the impacts of scientific developments on peace and security. The draft text is under silence procedure until Monday morning.
Monday’s Briefing
In recent years, the Security Council has periodically explored the potential of science in promoting international peace and security. For example, Council members have received briefings about scientific data linking environmental factors to security concerns in both formal sessions and Arria-formula meetings, an informal format. Additionally, the Council has held meetings focused on new and emerging technologies. Notable examples include a briefing on technology and security organised by the US in May 2022, and a high-level meeting on artificial intelligence (AI) initiated by the UK in July 2023.
Switzerland has organised an informal meeting of the Security Council and informal sessions with its members to explore how science can strengthen the Council’s response to global challenges. On 17 May, it convened an Arria-formula meeting titled “Unlocking the potential of science for peace and security”. On 26 August, during an informal visit of Security Council members to Geneva, Council members attended three sessions on “Preventing emerging security risks through innovation, science, and technology”, including one on the future implications of scientific advances on global peace and security. (For more information, see our 16 May and 3 September What’s in Blue stories.)
On 22 September, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 79/1, endorsing the Pact of the Future and the Global Digital Compact. Action 27 of the Pact recognises that rapid technological advances offer both opportunities and risks to maintaining international peace and security. In this regard, member states are committed to leveraging the benefits of new and emerging technologies while addressing the potential threats stemming from their misuse. They also requested the Secretary-General to keep them informed through his reporting on “current developments in science and technology and their potential impact on international security and disarmament efforts”.
The concept note for Monday’s meeting, which was prepared by Switzerland, acknowledges that scientific and technological developments “have affected peace and security throughout history” and emphasises that they “continue to do so at an ever-increasing pace”. In this regard, the concept note suggests that the Security Council should be aware of current scientific developments and “anticipate their future impact on international peace and security” in order to develop appropriate responses early on.
According to the concept note, the objective of the meeting is threefold: to discuss anticipated scientific developments, with a particular focus on developments in the field of neurotechnology; to examine the relevance, risks, and opportunities of those developments with respect to the Security Council’s mandate; and to share and explore potential policy guidance and operational steps that the Council should consider, including identifying potential gaps in existing normative frameworks or regulatory efforts within the UN system.
The concept note poses several questions to help guide the discussion, including:
- What aspects of current and future scientific developments should the Security Council address, and how do these developments affect the Council’s work?
- How can relevant scientific and technological tools be integrated into Security Council mandates, such as UN peace operations?
- What policy decisions and operational steps should be taken now to mitigate risks and leverage opportunities arising from future scientific developments?
- What normative frameworks or regulations need to be established or strengthened, and how can the Council systematically stay informed and respond to these developments?
At Monday’s meeting, the briefers may refer to the Secretary-General’s latest report on “current developments in science and technology and their potential impact on international security and disarmament efforts”, released on 23 July. The report highlights that this year saw the first human implant of a neural interface by a private company, marking the start of human trials in neural interface technology, which has “brought closer the blending of human cognition with machines”.
While the report notes the promising medical potential of these developments, such as restoring lost sensory functions or treating brain disorders, it also warns of profound security implications. Specifically, this technology could be misused to manipulate or control human behaviour, underscoring the urgent need for strict ethical standards and protective measures.
Additionally, the latest report of the Human Rights Council (HRC) on “Impact, opportunities and challenges of neurotechnology with regard to the promotion and protection of all human rights”, published on 8 August, highlights active military research into brain stimulation technologies designed to enhance cognitive functions such as memory and learning. The report notes that advanced “brain-computer interfaces” could potentially enhance soldiers’ combat abilities, either physically, through the use of exoskeletons, or cognitively, by increasing awareness and control of their emotions. These technologies could even enable neural control of weapons. The report emphasises the critical need to establish standards that limit uses contrary to international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law. It further recommends that developments in this area be closely monitored with the aim of adopting specific international governance frameworks.
On Monday, several Council members are expected to emphasise the importance of anticipating scientific developments in order to effectively mitigate the potential threats these developments may pose to international peace and security. Some are likely to stress the need to build trust among Council members regarding the use of scientific evidence in policymaking.
Some members may advocate better integration of scientific expertise and technology into UN peace operations, while others may raise concerns about data privacy and security, as well as equitable access to technology, particularly for developing countries. In this regard, there are members who may express support for the use of AI and data analytics to enhance peacekeeping efforts, including through predictive analysis for conflict prevention and for improving operational safety.
Many members are also likely to emphasise the ethical implications of scientific developments, advocating for the protection of human rights in the use of technology. They may also highlight the importance of cross-sector cooperation to create normative frameworks that facilitate ethical use and equitable access to technology.
Concerns about biases in technologies and the use of scientific tools may also be raised, with calls for objectivity, respect for state sovereignty, and responsible data handling. These members may urge the Council to consider historical and cultural contexts when applying scientific knowledge to political decisions.
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**Post-script: On the afternoon of 21 October, the Security Council adopted a Swiss-authored presidential statement (S/PRST/2024/6) recognising the role that scientific developments can play in supporting the Council’s responsibility to maintain international peace and security, as well as in promoting mutual trust and cooperation. The statement expresses the Council’s commitment to more systematically consider scientific advances, particularly with regard to their impact on international peace and security.
Council members generally supported the idea of a concise presidential statement addressing the effects of scientific developments on peace and security. Differing views needed to be reconciled during the negotiations, however. Switzerland introduced an initial draft on 4 October, and the negotiations involved one in-person meeting followed by email exchanges. After three silence breaks, a revised draft of the text passed silence on 21 October.
Several Council members called for the inclusion of language emphasising the need to enhance cooperation in bridging scientific and technological divides, both within and between countries, including through capacity-building and voluntary technology transfers. Additionally, at the request of one Council member, language was added to acknowledge relevant processes in the General Assembly, as well as General Assembly resolutions and decisions.
It appears that some members expressed caution over the operational implications of the draft text. The initial draft invited the Secretary-General to consider scientific advances in UN conflict prevention efforts, conflict analysis, and integrated mission assessments and planning, and to provide an annual briefing to the Council on this topic. It also suggested that the Secretary-General include such considerations in reports related to situations on the Council’s agenda. However, this paragraph was removed at the request of one member.
Early versions of the text affirmed that the development, deployment, and use of scientific advancements and data must align with international law, including the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, as well as international humanitarian law and international human rights law. These drafts also emphasised the importance of promoting the responsible and ethical use of science, technology, and innovation, guided by principles of equity and solidarity. While the final text retains the mention of international law, the remaining references were removed at the request of one member.
