Technological change and its impacts on security

Ambassador Radomír Boháč, Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council

Rome/Vienna [ENA] The first OSCE economic and environmental talks in 2019 are concerned on how technological change impacts security . In fact this was the focus of the First Preparatory Meeting of the 27th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum held in Vienna on 28th of January.Under the theme “Promoting economic progress and security in the OSCE area through energy co-operation, new technologies, good governance and connectivity

in the digital era” participants from the OSCE region, international organizations, civil society, academia and the business community discussed opportunities and threats very closely connected to rapid technological change, digitalization and innovation. In the opening remarks of the meeting on behalf of the 2019 OSCE Chairmanship, Slovak Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council Ambassador Radomír Boháč, pointed out the positive and negative aspects of technological innovation: “Thanks to new technologies human well-being, including longevity, education and affluence have increased over time. On the other hand, technologies are evolving and spreading so quickly through all sorts of platforms that they have often outgrown the control

of their creators.” In 2019, the Slovak OSCE Chair aims to work towards a safer future for all people in the OSCE region. “Innovations are unstoppable. Even a small country like Slovakia is the birthplace of many breakthrough technologies,” Ambassador Boháč continued. Much of discussions considered good governance and energy co-operation, with participants evincing that digitalization is leaving its mark on both.

OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger noted that “the impact of the digital economy on how we produce and consume energy is already clearly visible. Increasing the use of renewable energy can only work because digital technologies make both consumers and producers more flexible and responsive.” Greminger added that, at the same time, the increased monitoring and data gathering capacities of new technologies show a clear need for good governance and better co-operation. There’s the necessity to ensure that the technology is safe and secure and that privacy rights are respected.

The success in addressing issues such as e-governance, economic connectivity, and green energy while promoting digital security will depend in large measure on whether it is possible to interact with the private sector in a meaningful manner. The Economic and Environmental Forum is the main platform for engagement within the Economic and Environmental Dimension of the OSCE. Its objectives are to identify needs and priorities, to raise attention and to stimulate the political will of the 57 OSCE participating States in dealing with economic, environmental and security-related challenges, and to share best practices, as well as to provide a platform for dialogue with representatives of international organizations, business and academic

communities, and civil society. The second preparatory meeting will be held on 27 and ‪28 May‬ in Bratislava, Slovakia. The concluding Forum will take place ‪from 11 to 13 September 2019‬ in Prague.