UK Advocates for Responsible Technology and Resilience to Hybrid Threats at 32nd OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum

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 Forum. Meetings mandated by the OSCE are crucial to all three dimensions of regional security. It is important to note the UK’s disappointment that certain nations have again obstructed meaningful discussions surrounding human rights, democracy, and media freedom.

Emphasising Technological Advancement for Security

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 presents significant opportunities. Innovations such as artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, and other cutting-edge technologies have the potential to improve early warning systems, identify interconnected economic and environmental risks, bolster public services, and aid responses to humanitarian crises. However, these technologies also pose risks; if misused or deployed without proper safeguards, they can amplify disinformation, facilitate hostile activities, and exacerbate instability.

To fully harness the benefits of these advancements, responsible governance and genuine collaboration among various stakeholders are essential. Governments, international organisations, businesses, academic institutions, and civil society must unite to create inclusive, secure, and sustainable digital ecosystems. Technology must be leveraged to serve humanity, uphold human rights, and strengthen public trust.

Addressing the Impact of Russia’s Aggression

These discussions cannot be separated from the context of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine. The ongoing aggression continues to inflict severe economic, environmental, and humanitarian harm, particularly through attacks on Ukraine’s energy, water, and other civilian infrastructure. The UK appreciates the practical efforts of the OSCE to assess the environmental consequences of the war, mitigate long-term risks, and support Ukraine’s recovery and resilience. We remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine.

Moreover, it is imperative to recognise the broader hybrid threats we face. Technology-driven disinformation, cyber-attacks, sabotage, transnational repression, and foreign interference are specifically designed to exploit vulnerabilities, undermine critical infrastructure, and destabilise our democracies. In July, the UK enacted the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026, which provides new powers to designate and disrupt organisations involved in activities posing threats from foreign powers, enabling the government to treat proxy organisations similarly to foreign intelligence services. Additionally, the UK and EU introduced their first joint cyber sanctions package, targeting Russian state, criminal, and proxy networks responsible for cyber-attacks across Europe.

Strengthening Collective Resilience Against Hybrid Threats

These initiatives follow the UK’s largest counter-FIMI sanctions package to date, which targets individuals and entities implicated in Russian malign influence and destabilising efforts in Ukraine. They underscore our commitment to exposing hostile activities, imposing consequences, and enhancing collective resilience.

The OSCE must facilitate connections across its various dimensions, bolster early warning systems and situational awareness, and develop a practical toolkit to aid participating States in detecting, preventing, and responding to hybrid threats, all while respecting human rights.

The United Kingdom stands prepared to support this essential work, ensuring that technological progress contributes to a safer, more resilient, and more humane future.

Thank you.