ABU DHABI: The technological advancements the world is witnessing at present have significantly contributed to the changing character of war, Noura Bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, said in her speech at the Ministry of Defence organised ‘The Leaders Conference: War in the 21st Century’ event, which opened in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

“Thanks to an in-depth strategic vision for the future, the United Arab Emirates has managed to deal in a sound and strategic way with all forms of challenges, and displayed consistent willingness to establish constructive relations with all countries of the world,” said the minister.

She reiterated the UAE government’s keenness to “ensure the highest level of security and stability for its citizens and residents, a fact which makes us all proud of being part of a country that proves before the whole world every day its distinction and pioneering role across multiple domains.” The minister underscored the importance of digital diplomacy in influencing individual opinions, affirming that the UAE has made great strides in this field and has secured very active channels of communications with the international community to strengthen its national branding.

“The past period has witnessed the emergence of certain groups and entities that have wielded technologies to benefit their own agenda, thereby posing new forms of threats that we have not witnessed before.”

“In this age of communication that we are witnessing now, wars are always present in people’s mind,” the minister said, adding “the kind of war created by means of communications at present is much more dangerous than the traditional form of war, especially in light of the presence of a large number of technology users who easily get influenced by such digital types of war.”

“Digital platforms nowadays take three principal forms.”

Source    www.gulftoday.ae