Delegate: State of Qatar
Committee: United Nations General Assembly
Agenda: Examining the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cyberwarfare: Promoting
Responsible Governance to Safeguard International Peace and Security
I. Introduction
The accelerated integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into modern defence and
cybersecurity operations represents a defining moment for international peace and stability.
The State of Qatar recognizes both the promise and peril of AI, particularly in its use as a tool
of cyberwarfare. As a state committed to peace, multilateralism, and responsible innovation,
Qatar affirms that the international community must act decisively to establish ethical, legal,
and technical safeguards around the use of AI in armed and cyber conflict.
AI-driven cyberattacks threaten civilian life, critical infrastructure, and global governance
systems. Without robust international mechanisms to guide the development and deployment
of AI technologies, the world risks spiralling into a digital arms race with destabilizing
consequences. Qatar urges this Assembly to prioritize the creation of enforceable norms that
reflect our shared responsibility to protect cyberspace as a domain of peace, not conflict.
II. National Perspective and Policy Stance
Qatar has emerged as a leader in responsible AI development within the Gulf and broader
MENA region. The Qatar National AI Strategy—launched in 2019—emphasizes ethical
advancement, cybersecurity, and long-term human benefit. Institutions like the Qatar
Computing Research Institute (QCRI) work actively on AI applications in threat detection,
digital resilience, and cyber forensics.
However, Qatar also acknowledges the emerging risks of AI-enabled weapons—ranging
from autonomous malware to algorithmically driven disinformation—which may violate
international humanitarian law and the foundational principles of the UN Charter, especially
Articles 2(4) and 51. Such developments challenge the sovereignty of nations and undermine
the global digital commons.
Qatar fully supports multilateral frameworks like the UN GGE 2021 Final Report and the
OEWG recommendations. These initiatives offer valuable baselines for responsible state
behaviour in cyberspace. However, current measures remain non-binding. Qatar, therefore,
calls for more decisive, enforceable mechanisms.
III. Policy Proposals and Objectives
To strengthen the global response to AI-driven cyberwarfare, Qatar recommends the
following initiatives:
1. Global Convention on AI and Cyberwarfare (GAICC)
Modeled after the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, this legally binding convention
should:
Define and prohibit offensive AI cyberweapons targeting civilian infrastructure.
Mandate transparency in state-sponsored AI defense programs.
Establish verification mechanisms and sanctions for non-compliance.
2. Creation of the International AI Oversight Agency (IAIO)
A UN-affiliated body tasked with:
Monitoring AI research in military and cybersecurity contexts.
Conducting independent audits of national AI programs.
Advising states on ethical compliance with international law.
3. Deployment of UN Cyber Peace Missions
Qatar proposes the establishment of UN Cyber Peace Teams—technical missions deployed
in response to cyberattacks, particularly in developing states, to:
Assist in digital recovery and capacity-building.
Prevent cyber incidents from escalating into armed conflict.
4. Digital Development for Peace Fund
To address the digital divide, Qatar calls for a multilateral fund focused on:
Building ethical AI capabilities in the Global South.
Supporting cybersecurity infrastructure in least developed countries.
Aligning digital peace with SDG 9 and SDG 16.
5. Establishment of International Red Lines for AI Use
Qatar supports a global agreement identifying non-negotiable prohibitions, including:
Use of AI for autonomous lethal operations.
AI-enabled interference in electoral processes.
Cyberattacks on hospitals, water systems, and democratic institutions.
IV. Conclusion
The State of Qatar believes the time has come to move from dialogue to implementation. We
must not allow technological progress to outpace our moral and legal safeguards. AI's role in
cyberwarfare demands the same urgency, responsibility, and unity as any traditional threat to
peace.
Qatar calls on this General Assembly to lead with clarity, courage, and collective resolve. Let
us commit to rules that uphold sovereignty, protect civilians, and enshrine justice in
cyberspace.
Qatar is prepared to cooperate, negotiate, and lead on this matter—firm in principle,
forward-looking in strategy, and unwavering in its commitment to global peace and
digital dignity.
