From healthcare and scientific research to industrial applications, radioactive sources play a vital role in modern societies. Yet, if diverted, stolen, or misused, these materials can also pose serious security risks, including potential criminal or terrorist exploitation. As the production and use of radioactive sources continue to expand across Southeast Asia,  strengthening the integrity of radiological supply chains has become increasingly important.

On 12 May, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) convened an Expert Group Meeting on addressing technology-facilitated sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) linked to terrorism. The meeting brought together experts from international organizations, civil society, academia, and think tanks at the Palais des Nations in Geneva to discuss more effective ways of tackling this rapidly evolving threat.  

As digital technologies continue to transform every dimension of modern life, they are also reshaping the nature of crime, security, and justice at an unprecedented pace. Artificial intelligence, algorithmic systems, online platforms, and emerging technologies are creating new opportunities for development and innovation, while simultaneously generating increasingly complex risks that transcend borders, institutions, and traditional governance frameworks.

How can governments respond effectively to minerals crime when criminal networks operate across borders, supply chains, and financial systems?

Across several regions of Africa, the relationship between terrorism and illicit economies interacts with broader patterns of insecurity. In environments marked by fragile institutions, porous borders and expansive informal markets, violent extremist groups and criminal actors operate within overlapping spaces where the boundaries between legality and illegality are often blurred. These conditions create environments in which illicit economic systems can be exploited by violent extremist groups.