Mr. Chairman, Director-General, Distinguished Delegates, Civil Society Colleagues:

As advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) continue to transform the global technological landscape, civil society calls for proactive measures under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to address emerging AI-driven threats. AI can improve verification, monitoring, and preventive actions within CWC mandates. However, it also poses unique risks in both civilian and military applications.

Israel faced a major setback on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups launched a successful attack. After this successful terror attack, many questions were raised concerning Israeli technological superiority and robust defence mechanisms in place. Despite Israel's technological superiority, Hamas managed to bypass these defences. The issue likely wasn't with the technology itself; the surveillance systems along the Israel-Palestine border were reportedly functioning as expected.

Four months ago, on May 10, 2024, the global Uyghur movement received a massive shock by serious allegations of sexual harassment involving two of its prominent leaders: Dolkun Isa, Executive President of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) headquartered in Munich, Germany, and Nury Turkel, Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and Board Member of the Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP). The scandal has laid bare many truths - severe organizational failures, systemic corruption, and a blatant disregard for victims' (women's) rights.

Following major crackdown on terrorists in the Kashmir Valley and the redeployment of troops from the southern Pir Panjal range to Ladakh due to the ongoing border standoff with China, terrorists have shifted their base from Kashmir to the Jammu region. This shift is particularly evident in areas such as Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, and Kathua, where dense forests and steep mountains offer militants ample cover.