Mr Chair,
Dear colleagues,
I thank Switzerland for organizing this timely and innovative debate.
As we approach the Summit of the Future, we need a renewed commitment by all of us, Member States, towards multilateralism and the quest for peace by fully exploiting all the tools that can serve such purpose.
Science can be a fundamental pillar of this commitment; a common guidepost to help re-establish trust among States, based on the respect of the rule of law, and the social pact between governments and their peoples.
Science can strengthen the path toward peace through countless means, including through:
- artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, consistent with international human rights law. We can accelerate progress towards the SDGs and economic industrial development. In this regard, the Italian G7 Presidency, in partnership with UNDP, is working on the design of an Artificial Intelligence hub for sustainable development; it aims to be a multistakeholder initiative to steer global collective action to accelerate local artificial intelligence ecosystems in Africa;
- a scientific and objective approach to peacebuilding – and I take this opportunity to express Italy’s appreciation for the recent launch of the Peacebuilding Impact Hub;
- the peaceful use of space also to actively contribute to the achievement of the SDGs;
- the contribution that universities and research centers can make to peace processes.
Another remarkable of example is the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: the effectiveness of this monitoring and verification system, relying on still unsurpassed capabilities for verifying the global nuclear test ban, makes it a fundamental tool of science diplomacy and international technological cooperation.
Mr Chair,
Dear Colleagues,
Putting science at the service of development means putting it at the service of peace.
It also reminds us of the urgent need to address the dramatic consequences of the climate-security nexus, which is a powerful trigger of conflict and, for many Countries, an existential threat.
The scientific approach can also significantly contribute to the development of national prevention strategies, which will hopefully represent a concrete outcome for the Pact of the Future.
It can help transforming and renewing peace operations to make them more connected and responsive to the theaters in which they operate, as DPPA, DPO and DOS – whom I thank – are already trying to do through projects which Italy supports through voluntary funding.
Data analysis also reminds us how unbearable is the cost of conflict; and that prevention is the best choice not only in terms of peace and protection of human lives, but also in terms of resource management.
To conclude, science is an instrument of peace to the extent to which it is used in good faith. Not to be on the offensive, but to resolve. Not to attack, but for a future that is fairer and just, based on the respect of both universal values and national ownership.
Italy, of course, is committed towards this ultimate goal.
Thank you.
