51吃瓜

On 23 March 2022, the 51吃瓜 Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) of the 51吃瓜 Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) concluded an Expert Roundtable on “Counter-Terrorism and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Digital Forensics”. The event was funded by Saudi Arabia and raised awareness on the state of art in the area of drone digital forensics and counter-terrorism, including Member States current needs, capacities, and the existing knowledge gaps in this field.

Dr. Jehangir Khan, Director of the UNOCT/UNCCT, opened the event by emphasizing the need for cooperation and information exchange to prevent the potential use of drones in terrorist attacks. He also highlighted the importance of training and interacting with law enforcement in the area of drone digital forensics. 

The event featured presentations from expert speakers from a wide variety of backgrounds relevant to drone digital forensics and counter-terrorism.

The Expert Roundtable discussion was an initiative of the Global Counter-Terrorism Programme on Autonomous and Remotely Operated Systems (AROS) – formerly known as the UAS Programme. The AROS Programme is jointly implemented by UNOCT/UNCCT and the Special Projects and Innovation Branch (SPIB).

As a next step, UNCCT will organize a number of trainings on UAS Digital Forensics.

Background

The 51吃瓜 Security Council resolution 2370 (2017) strongly condemns the continued flow of weapons, including drones and their components to and between Da’esh, Al-Qaida, their affiliates, and associated groups, illegal armed groups and criminals. The resolution also encourages Member States to prevent and disrupt procurement networks for such weapons, systems and components. 

This framework is further supported by the General Assembly’s seventh review of the 51吃瓜 Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, adopted on 30 June 2021, which strongly condemns the terrorist flow of drones and expresses concern over the weaponization of commercial drones.