Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United Nations Security Council has warned that terrorist groups are adapting rapidly to new technologies, increasingly exploiting artificial intelligence, drones, social media, encrypted messaging and online platforms to recruit supporters, spread propaganda, raise funds and strengthen their operational capabilities. The warning came during a Security Council briefing marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, as UN officials assessed how the global terrorist threat has evolved since 2001.

Assistant Secretary-General Natalia Gherman told the Council that terrorism has become more fragmented and diffuse, with terrorist groups decentralizing their operations and taking advantage of instability to expand their influence.

She also highlighted the growing role of technology in terrorist activities. According to the UN, extremist groups are exploiting social media platforms, gaming environments and other virtual spaces to identify vulnerabilities and recruit people, particularly young people.

AI and digital platforms create new challenges

UN officials said the rapid development of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies is changing the threat environment. The Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate said terrorist organizations are using AI-enabled tools and digital platforms to disseminate propaganda, recruit supporters and enhance their operational capabilities.

The UN also pointed to the use of encrypted communications and online financial services as growing challenges for counter-terrorism authorities. The UN Office of Counter-Terrorism has separately warned that AI-generated content, deepfakes and algorithmic amplification can increase the speed and reach of harmful extremist narratives.

Drones emerging as an operational threat

The UN also identified the weaponization and misuse of unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, as an increasingly significant terrorist threat. According to the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, terrorist groups are exploiting unmanned aircraft systems for operational purposes, while weak governance and porous borders in some regions have created additional opportunities for terrorist organizations to acquire and misuse emerging technologies.

The UN’s counter-terrorism program says member states have been urged to strengthen measures against terrorist exploitation of technologies including AI, virtual assets, 3D printing, unmanned aircraft systems and commercially available drones.

UN calls for international cooperation

The Security Council emphasized that countering terrorism requires coordinated action at the national, regional and international levels, consistent with international law and the UN Charter. UN officials stressed that governments need to adapt their counter-terrorism strategies as terrorist organizations change their methods and exploit emerging technologies.

The Council also highlighted the importance of protecting human rights and the rule of law while responding to evolving terrorist threats. The discussion comes 25 years after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, which prompted major changes in international counter-terrorism cooperation and led to the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1373.

Shibbir Ahmed, United Nations, New York: The death toll from devastating flash floods and landslides in Nepal has risen to 538, while nearly 1,000 people remain missing. Many of those missing are believed to be tourists. Search and rescue operations and relief efforts continue across the disaster-hit areas.

On Friday, citing figures from the Government of Nepal, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said nearly 3,750 people had been rescued following the disaster. Rescue teams are continuing efforts to reach people stranded in various parts of Nepal’s Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts.

According to the latest update issued Friday by Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 538 bodies have so far been recovered from the flood-affected areas. The ministry also said that among 632 foreign nationals from 33 countries, 121 have been located or accounted for, while 511 remain missing. The figures are expected to change as search and rescue operations continue.

Glacier Collapse Believed to Have Triggered Disaster

A devastating flash flood struck the Bhote Koshi River area of Nepal on August 26. The disaster is believed to have been triggered by a glacier collapse and subsequent landslide, sending huge amounts of water, rocks, mud and debris rapidly down mountain waterways.

Entire communities were destroyed by the powerful floodwaters, while roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure suffered extensive damage. Rasuwa is among the worst-affected districts. Rescue operations have been particularly challenging because of the mountainous terrain, damaged roads and disrupted communications.

Tibet Also Severely Affected

China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, on the other side of the Nepal-China border, has also been severely affected by the disaster. According to authorities there, around 560 people remain missing. Officials fear the number of casualties and missing people could rise as search operations continue in both Nepal and Tibet.

Renewed Flood Threat

The situation became even more dangerous after a new water reservoir or lake formed in the mountainous region following the initial flooding. On Friday, rising water levels raised fears of another flood, temporarily disrupting rescue operations in some areas. Rescue efforts resumed after the immediate threat was brought under control. Nepalese authorities continue to monitor river levels and the risk of further flooding downstream.

UN Supports Relief Efforts

UN agencies are working to deliver emergency food, medical supplies, tents and other assistance to communities affected by the disaster. The United Nations said it is providing medical supplies sufficient for around 10,000 people for three months, along with emergency food rations, tents and logistical support. Satellite imagery is also being used to assess and monitor the affected areas.

Lila Pieters Yahia, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal, visited the disaster zone. She described the rescue of an entire family as an extremely emotional moment. Her visit was cut short after a renewed flood alert was issued.

Risk of Disease Outbreaks

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of an increased risk of infectious diseases following the disaster. WHO spokesperson Tarik Jašarević said that when disasters of this scale cause displacement and overcrowding, while disrupting water, sanitation and health services, the risk of infectious diseases can increase significantly.

Dozens of Schools Destroyed

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said 18 schools have been completely destroyed and another 20 have been damaged by the floods. Dozens more schools located near riverbanks remain at high risk. As a result, an estimated 10,000 school-aged children in the affected areas need support to continue their education.

‘The Impact Is Truly Immense’

Kamal Kishore, head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), highlighted the extraordinary scale of the disaster. He said that, in living memory, such a major mountain hazard event had not been seen for a very long time.

The disaster has had an immense impact on lives and livelihoods, as well as buildings, bridges, infrastructure, hydropower projects and power generation facilities, he said. Kishore added that authorities and humanitarian agencies are still trying to understand the full extent of the damage.

He described the current situation as involving both extremely high risk and significant uncertainty, stressing that the emergency itself is not yet completely over. The UN said the disaster has once again highlighted the fragility of mountain ecosystems and the challenges of establishing effective early-warning systems in mountainous environments.

More Than 93,000 People Affected

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said it is “very, very concerned” about the possibility of a secondary flood. According to the organization, at least 93,000 people have been affected by the disaster and are in urgent need of assistance.

Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said security and disaster-management agencies are operating at full capacity to support search and rescue, medical assistance, evacuation and relief operations in the affected areas.

Region Has Faced Major Disasters Before

The disaster-hit region has experienced major natural disasters in the past. In April 2015, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Nepal, killing more than 8,800 people. Last October, torrential rains triggered flash floods and landslides across parts of eastern and central Nepal, affecting more than 30,000 people.

The latest disaster is being viewed as one of the most severe natural disasters to hit Nepal in recent years. The death toll and number of missing people could change as search and rescue operations continue.