At a regional workshop focused on the initiative to counter Unmanned Aerial Systems threats, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) addressed the potential risks posed by terrorist use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), based on the key findings of CTED＊s latest Trends Alert on ※Greater Efforts Needed to Address the Potential Risks Posed by Terrorist Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems§. ※Increased accessibility and affordability have led to renewed attempts by organized crime and terrorist groups for malicious use of technology,§ said a CTED representative. The CTED expert stressed the potential terrorist use of UAS in four areas: attacks, disruption, surveillance, and propaganda; and explained the current approaches in terms of regulation and security frameworks to counter this emerging threat.
The two-day workshop from 28-29 May 2019 was held in Amsterdam and co-organized by the governments of the United States and Germany. Participants included members and partners of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), international and regional organizations, UAS and Counter-UAS industry representatives, and law enforcement. Discussions consisted of the threat assessment in Africa, the tools and responses for Countering UAS , illicit proliferation of UAS and UAS knowledge, future advances in UAS technology, cross-sector cooperation between governments and industry, effective countermeasures against UAS and national policy and law and inter-ministerial operational response.
CTED participated in the event as a partner of the GCTF. Its representative stated that States face two key challenges: ※limited guidance on prevention of terrorist acquisition of UAS and fast-paced-technological development§ to which States must respond by developing more holistic approaches at a regional and international level while protecting human rights.
During this workshop, a draft of the non-binding internationally recognized Good Practices document was discussed. This document seeks to provide guidance to governments in developing policies and app