A/66/PV.120 General Assembly

I wish to express profound appreciation to the President of the General Assembly for convening this important meeting. My delegation would also like to thank the Permanent Representative of Canada, Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski, for his efforts and commitment in facilitating the consultations on the draft resolution (A/66/L.53) on the third review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Today’s meeting is indeed an affirmation of the significance and invaluable contribution of the General Assembly to the global efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism. The statements by Member States yesterday underscore the importance of strengthening international cooperation to prevent and combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The heightened incidence of terrorist attacks globally remains a continuing challenge. In this regard, Nigeria firmly supports the full implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy as a comprehensive and effective framework to fight terrorism. Equally, Nigeria endorses the mandate of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), whose activities range from conflict prevention and resolution to capacity-building, education, peacekeeping, health and other development questions. We believe that all those issues should be addressed during this review to strengthen the global efforts to combat terrorism. Nigeria supports international initiatives aimed at strengthening international cooperation to counter terrorism and the implementation of all recommendations formulated within the overall framework of the Strategy’s four pillars. Whenever new mechanisms are deemed necessary, it is important to avoid duplication of effort and to ensure that they work together within the United Nations and its Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force to facilitate and promote coordination and coherence in order to prevent and combat terrorism in all its forms. At the regional level, Nigeria has participated in the formulation of the Protocol to the 1999 OAU Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and has acceded to the Convention. Over the past four months, Nigeria has faced an upsurge in acts of terrorism in the northern part of the country. Rather than being intimidated by those terrorist acts, we are resolved to develop national strategies and, above all, collaborate more closely with the international community. In this regard, Nigeria’s response has been swift and determined. We have developed new national strategies and intensified collaboration with the international community in addressing this threat. Nigeria has also undertaken measures to strengthen its law enforcement capabilities and legal/regulatory infrastructure and to enhance its strategic partnerships. It is pertinent to note that, in January, Nigeria and the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) launched the Integrated Assistance for Countering Terrorism Initiative. The CTITF also facilitated a training workshop in June on suicide attacks and preventive strategies, under the project for stabilization and counter-terrorism capacity-building in Nigeria. In support of awareness activities on global counter-terrorism efforts, Nigeria has also indicated interest in hosting the launch of the Strategy in the West African subregion later this year. The three-pronged project is a concrete example of what can be achieved when partner States, international organizations, civil society organizations and stakeholders work in concert for the attainment of a common objective. Furthermore, Nigeria’s membership in the Global Counterterrorism Forum and the Advisory Board of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre underscore our commitment to galvanize and join global efforts in the fight against terrorism and all its ramifications. At the national level, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan signed into law, on 3 June 2011, the Terrorism Prevention Bill 2011 and the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011. The Bill established measures for the prevention, prohibition and combating of acts of terrorism in Nigeria, while the Money Laundering Prohibition Act strengthened measures to prohibit the financing of terrorism and the laundering of the proceeds of crime or illegal acts. To further strengthen the provisions of those laws in accordance with modern standards, Nigeria is reviewing this legal/regulatory architecture and incorporating global best practices. It is evident that close and systematic cooperation among all States is indeed an essential prerequisite for an effective United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Winning the war against terrorism is achievable only through firm and determined resolve and commitment by all stakeholders at the national, regional and international levels. I would like to urge the General Assembly to continue this coordinated approach towards combating terrorism. It is our fervent hope that this third review will provide new insights and impetus for enhancing the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Nigeria reiterates its commitment to the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and all other such initiatives.

It is my pleasure to attend this extraordinary event that marks six years since the adoption of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Let me point out that the Republic of Serbia aligns itself with the statement made by the observer of the European Union (EU). I shall therefore focus my statement on some points from my country’s national perspective. In particular, I want to emphasize those elements that have not been included in the recently published report of the Secretary-General on the progress made in the Republic of Serbia in implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (A/66/762), in particular the progress relating to strengthening national capacity, legislation and the training of local stakeholders to implement standards that contribute to the development of national counter-terrorism plans. For the Government of the Republic of Serbia, which has set an ambitious reform agenda with membership in the European Union as its strategic priority, any assistance providing more effective and efficient social, economic and political development is of great value. When it comes to fighting terrorism, the guidelines contained in the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy are of paramount importance to us, particularly the references to measures aimed at strengthening international cooperation. In that context, I wish to inform the General Assembly that we are approaching the final stages of preparation for the start of a joint project with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) aimed at strengthening the legal regime against terrorism in Serbia. Keeping in mind that the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is the primary global provider of legal technical assistance relating to the international legal regime against terrorism, we have developed, together with the European Commission, a programme of activities designed to ensure a high level of visibility and to be an example of good practices that can be emulated by others. The proposed initiative will be further developed in close cooperation with representatives and experts of the member States of the EU, as well as with the relevant EU institutions. We wish to emphasize that relevant provisions and strategic commitments in EU documents will be taken into account. The primary aim of the initiative is to build the capacities of relevant authorities and to develop a comprehensive counter-terrorism legal framework in the Republic of Serbia in order to effectively combat terrorism and strengthen efficient interagency cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Finally, let me mention some of the activities of the Republic of Serbia aimed at strengthening the common front in the fight against terrorism. In order to strengthen the regional response to the serious challenges and threats to international security caused by links between the financing of terrorist activities and organized crime, my Government hosted last year a workshop on countering terrorist financing for south-eastern European States held jointly by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative and the Regional Cooperation Council, in cooperation with the UNODC. We also wish to inform the Assembly that, in late April, the Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted a national action plan for the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. A draft law on the freezing of terrorist assets is currently being publicly debated and will enter procedural channels as soon as the new Government is formed. Once the draft law is adopted, Serbia will have a formal mechanism in place to detect and freeze assets of persons and entities on the Security Council’s sanctions list.

I would like to congratulate the President of the General Assembly and His Excellency Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski, Permanent Representative of Canada, for the successful consultations they held and for achieving consensus on the draft resolution on the third review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (A/66/L.53). We also wish to express our gratitude to the Secretary-General for his reports (A/66/762 and A/66/762/Add.1) and for the efforts of the United Nations system undertaken to implement the Strategy. Kyrgyzstan continues to conduct activities designed to implement the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Great attention has been paid to the improvement of legislation that aims at eliminating the conditions and causes that allow terrorist or extremist organizations to thrive and at countering the ideology of terrorism and extremism. In particular, laws have been passed on counteracting extremist activities, combating terrorism and terrorism financing and the legalization of the proceeds of crime. In addition, provisions of the criminal code were tightened with respect to the organization of activities aimed at inciting national, racial, religious or interregional strife, the financing of terrorism and involvement in the commission of terrorist crimes. Previously, the Kyrgyz Republic had joined 10 of the 12 existing United Nations conventions designed to combat international terrorism, as well as their four complementary protocols. Now Kyrgyzstan is seriously considering joining the remaining conventions. One of the important issues we have considered is the strengthening of competent authorities’ capacity in the fight against terrorism. In that regard, in February 2010, we established a State office on financial intelligence for the purposes of countering terrorist financing, money-laundering and the proceeds of crime. In January 2011, a presidential decree established an anti-terrorism centre under the auspices of the State committee on national security in order to coordinate the activities of the public authorities and to promote international cooperation. For Kyrgyzstan, issues of regional stability and security are of particular importance, in the light of the withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force from Afghanistan in 2014. In that context, the Kyrgyz Republic supports the strengthening of regional cooperation. I am pleased to note that, at present, cooperation has been established with the anti-terrorist structures of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and other regional and international organizations. We consider it important to interact with the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia. It is with the active collaboration of the Centre that, in December 2011, a joint action plan to implement the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia was adopted for the first time at the regional level. Of particular importance was the decision taken at the June meeting of the Council of the heads of member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization held in Beijing to approve the programme of cooperation of SCO member States in the field of combating terrorism, separatism and extremism for the period 2013-2015. It should be noted that the programme provides a wide range of organizational and practical measures to identify, prevent and combat illegal activities related to terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as for concerted action in the areas of international legal, informational, analytical, scientific and methodological activities, field personnel and logistics. Within the framework of cooperation with the United Nations in the fight against terrorism, we commend the work of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee and other United Nations entities in providing necessary information and analytical and technical assistance. Kyrgyzstan has established constructive cooperation with the Counter-Terrorism Committee’s Executive Directorate. In April, a Counter-Terrorism Committee group of experts visited Kyrgyzstan. We hope that their efforts will help to carry out joint measures aimed at strengthening United Nations technical assistance and the Kyrgyz Republic’s national capacity to combat terrorism.

Terrorism continues to be a serious threat to international peace and security, and to retain its universal and transborder nature. The links between terrorism and transnational organized crime  — money-laundering and illegal trafficking in drugs and arms  — have intensified. These trends demand that we continue to step up efforts to implement the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy comprehensively and in all its aspects. Moreover, as we do so, we believe it is important to gain long-term results from the Strategy’s implementation. The stronger links between terrorism and transnational organized crime also demand that we continue to cooperate effectively in counteracting terrorism, within the framework of the Security Council and the General Assembly and through the Counter-Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and INTERPOL. In our view, an important element of such interaction should continue to be strengthening national capacities and potential for combating terrorism. Given terrorism’s ongoing threat, this aspect of activity should receive greater attention. We call for the completion of an effective system for rendering technical assistance, one whereby donors supply technical assistance for capacity-building that complies fully with States’ requests and without delay. Ensuring border security is an important part of combating terrorism. As a regional exporter of security, in the future Belarus intends to act as an effective guarantor of the security of borders in the interests of its own region. In that regard, we note that costs in this area tend to rise. In that connection, in the light of the need for building capacity in border protection, due to ever-growing threats, we call on our partners to assist with practical interaction, cooperation and mutual help in strengthening borders. It is exceedingly important to strengthen the international legal framework in order to combat terrorism. In that connection, we express our hope for a speedy conclusion of work on a comprehensive convention on international terrorism. Belarus is ready to consider compromise proposals in order to conclude the text of the convention and complete the work on this very urgent document. We call on States to demonstrate maximum flexibility and a constructive attitude, including negotiations on the basis of a consensus. The most recent and glaring terrorist acts have reaffirmed the vulnerability even of socially well off and politically stable States in the face of such threats. Terrorists acting alone have once again shattered existing notions of the nature and objectives of terrorist activity. In that regard, the Belarus delegation emphasizes the importance of pooling efforts to improve preventive measures for combating terrorism, and also of improving the exchange of experience in areas such as transportation security; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear terrorism; combating the financing of terrorism; and counteracting the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes. In conclusion, I would like to remind all present that in today’s world no countries or regions are immune to terrorism. It can be eliminated only through a broad range of consolidated, effective and mutually complementary measures, undertaken on a bilateral, subregional, regional and international basis.

I would like to begin by thanking the President for organizing this meeting and by applauding the efforts of Ambassador Rishchynski of Canada, who served as facilitator during the negotiations on the draft resolution (A/66/L.53) on the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. France associates itself with the statement made by the observer of the European Union; I would like to add a couple of complementary remarks. While terrorism continues to evolve, it is more necessary than ever that the international community presents a unified front against this threat. Partly thanks to the Strategy, the United Nations has gradually become an essential actor in the global fight against terrorism. But we must follow up those efforts. To that end, we must continue to promote this tool, designed to bring coherence to existing mechanisms and to strengthen cooperation between States and organizations. Promoting the Strategy will enable us to make progress in a number of areas. First of all, we hope promoting it will play a part in capacity-building, which is a key component in helping the most fragile States or those in crisis to develop the means to help them fight terrorism effectively. Next, it is imperative that the fight against terrorism is conducted with strict respect for human rights. In the long term, promoting the rule of law and respect for human rights remains the best guarantee of the effectiveness of our fight against terrorism. Finally, I would like to add that we should not underestimate the role of the victims of terrorism. In combating this scourge, their voices and message must be taken into account. In all these aspects, we hope that the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre, established through the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, will ensure that tangible results can be speedily obtained. The draft resolution we will adopt today emphasizes the importance of better coordination at several levels. At the international level, it is important to strengthen coordination with the other organizations fighting terrorism and with those that have developed relevant strategies. This includes the European Union, in particular, but also the Global Counterterrorism Forum. At the internal level, we are pleased that the draft resolution calls for giving greater attention to the proposal to create the post of a counter-terrorism coordinator. In order to be effective, the United Nations must be sure that initiatives are not duplicated and synergies are improved. The establishment of the post of counter-terrorism coordinator should advance that goal. It is commendable that the General Assembly has been able to arrive at a consensus on this issue. We are determined to ensure that progress can be made in fully implementing the Strategy throughout the world. In general, France will continue to make every effort to ensure that the United Nations has the strength it needs to combat terrorism in all its forms.

I would first like to thank the President for organizing the third review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and to congratulate the Secretary-General on his report (A/66/762) on the activities of the United Nations in implementing the Strategy over the past two years. I would also like to thank Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski, Permanent Representative of Canada, and his team for the commendable efforts they have made in achieving consensus on the draft resolution on the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (A/66/L.53). The Tunisian delegation associates itself with the statement made by the Permanenet Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The Tunisian delegation is gratified by the holding of this third review of the Strategy, which provides my delegation an opportunity to reaffirm its firm condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and its full adherence to the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Tunisia has always shown its steady commitment on the national, regional and international levels to the efforts carried out by the international community to combat terrorism. That commitment has been reflected on the national level through the adoption of a multidimensional strategy to grasp the underlying causes of terrorism and the conditions that promote its expansion, along with legal instruments in order to concretize in domestic law the provisions of international treaties and conventions in that area. But given the deficiencies and gaps characterizing Tunisian law with regard to combating terrorism and money-laundering, which have also been used by the past regime to repress individual liberties, Tunisia has undertaken an in-depth reform of its laws to ensure that all actions undertaken to combat terrorism are in keeping with its human rights obligations. Tunisia is convinced that the struggle against terrorism goes beyond the individual abilities of any State. We have therefore adhered to nearly all of the initiatives and actions dealing with the struggle against terrorism by ratifying all of the regional conventions in that sphere. We have also adhered to most of the international conventions and treaties dealing with that phenomenon, and we continue to work to fulfil our obligations under the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Tunisia remains convinced that the continuation at the global level of political injustices, the non-resolution of conflicts, economic disparities, exclusion and the defamation of religions are factors that continuesto fuel extremism and promote the indoctrination and recruitment for terrorism. Today, the threat of terrorism is a global challenge that can only be met through the strengthening of the counter-terrorism architecture of the United Nations and a balanced implementation of all the pillars of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Such an approach requires mobilization and real international solidarity, based on effective regional and international cooperation, as well as on the support of all international actors — Governments; international, regional and subregional organizations; civil society; and the media  — to that cause to avoid a scattering of efforts and to consolidate our capacity to prevent terrorism in order to fight it and to limit its impact. Our shared campaign against terrorism is surely legitimate and justified, but it must not be conducted without distinguishing between criminals who have no respect for human life and peoples who are tirelessly fighting to safeguard their right to freedom, dignity and independence. Such is the case of the Palestinian people, who are facing Israeli practices of State terrorism used as a systematic policy designed to usurp the maximum of Palestinian lands, to wipe out an entire culture and to displace as many people as possible in Palestine in order to confine them in ghettos. We must vigorously condemn that kind of State terrorism, in particular since that is a policy practised in total defiance of international law and in contempt of the most basic principles of international law. Before I conclude, I would like to raise one particularly important issue, which is the social rehabilitation of individuals condemned for terrorism. That is an essential, albeit problematic, issue since the United Nations counter-terrorism agenda does not cover it sufficiently. My delegation believes that rehabilitation during and after incarceration is another form of combating terrorism, which should be part of all counter-terrorism strategies, be they national or global.

The Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, adopted by the General Assembly by consensus six years ago, is the international community’s expression of political will to jointly and in a coordinated manner tackle the scourge of terrorism, with the United Nations at the centre of responsibility. Terrorism is a serious threat to international peace and security and is an attack on the values that they represent. As a global and transnational phenomenon, terrorism can only be successfully fought through international cooperation. The United Nations therefore has an important responsibility to support the coordination of global efforts against terrorism. Its role should be reinforced and strengthened in order to ensure adherence by all countries to those efforts and to ensure that those efforts will be sustained and undertaken in a coordinated manner in the medium and long terms. Once again, we would like to reiterate our firm support for the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the four pillars on which it is based. We would like to underscore the need for those pillars to be approached in a balanced and integrated manner, with a special emphasis on pillars I and IV. In addition to highlighting the work of the United Nations in the context of the Strategy, including the work of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force and other related bodies, we would like to acknowledge that there remain issues and gaps, which may continue to be developed in order to respond to the changing needs, which are constantly evolving and which are what characterizes the scourge before us. In that context, it is our hope that this review of the Counter-Terrorism Strategy will contribute to providing important guidance in that regard. My country condemns terrorism in all of its forms and is committed to preventing and combating it while following and respecting the norms of international law, in particular human rights, international humanitarian law and international law with regard to refugees. Our commitment in this area has been reflected in the fact that we have ratified all international instruments relating to the prevention and suppression of terrorism. It is also reflected in our active participation in various forums and appropriate multilateral bodies. At the national level, Chile has established a counter-terrorism department that reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to facilitate the coordination of foreign policy in the area of terrorism with various related national agencies and to provide an effective response to international requirements in that area. My country’s authorities are currently reviewing their ability to respond and have shown themselves to be open to an exchange of experiences and good practices in preventing and responding to a possible terrorist attack, which would include phenomena such as bioterrorism and cyberattacks. We have reached the conclusion that communication flows are important and that the participation and coordination of a number of different actors and strata involved is very important. Fundamental responsibility for implementing the Strategy falls upon the shoulders of the Member States. For the implementation to be effective and sustainable, however, contributions are needed from the other stakeholders involved. That would include regional and subregional bodies, which can bring a contribution to the table with their knowledge and experience of local episodes. In harmonizing and coordinating efforts, it is important to bear in mind the specific characteristics of the phenomenon of terrorism as it manifests itself in different geographic zones, in such a way that it would be possible to develop initiatives that take into account vulnerabilities, cultural factors and other contextual issues. Regionally, Chile has continued to participate in the Inter-American Committee on Terrorism, which is a mechanism under the Organization of American States. In the most recent period, our national institutions participated in workshops and conferences prepared by the Committee’s secretariat with the aim of preventing and combating terrorist attacks. In November 2011, Chile co-organized, with the Committee’s secretariat and the Government of Canada, a subregional workshop on bioterrorism. The workshop brought together experts from the Southern Cone, as well as officials working on terrorism at the regional level, and provided for an exchange of views. A report will be prepared with specific recommendations in order to create a national strategy in that area. National capacity-building is another key factor in efforts against terrorism. In that regard, it is fundamental to have joint contributions of all actors at the international, regional and subregional levels, geared to increasing capacity and to making it possible to strengthen the role of authorities within the territory of each State. Developing this and other mechanisms is not enough to halt a phenomenon that is complex and that can manifest in many different ways. We believe that establishing safety and security plans, enacting legislation and providing modern and cohesive institutions is only part of the solution. We also believe that the root cause of terrorism lies in the lack of opportunity, which means that it is necessary to promote a dialogue among the different social actors and provide for the active participation of civil society. This is essential in order to determine and eliminate those factors that might fuel terrorist acts, which would include religious, racial, ethnic or political intolerance as well as the socio-economic divide between nations. In that context, we would like to reiterate that regardless of the measures adopted to combat terrorism, it is important to apply them with strict adherence to international law, particularly respect for human rights, international humanitarian law and international refugee law. My country appreciates the report of the Secretary-General on the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, contained in document A/66/762. We would like to highlight the merit of the proposal on creating a position for a counter-terrorism coordinator. We hope this initiative will continue to be improved upon so that it can achieve general support once conditions are created to that end. As we have said in other bodies, before concluding our remarks we would like to join in the call for renewing efforts and the necessary political will to conclude a general convention against terrorism. Along with providing a framework and complementing institutional norms that are already in place, it would send a very strong message from the international community to those who seek to weaken international security or undermine human rights and civil liberties. In conclusion, I would like to highlight and express my gratitude for the work led by the Permanent Representative of Canada, Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski, as well as for the manner in which his Mission and his team led the process of negotiations that made it possible to achieve consensus on the draft resolution (A/66/L.53) that we will be adopting today. The text of the draft resolution enables us to reaffirm the international community’s commitment to the strategy specifically and to the fight against terrorism in all of its manifestations.

Iraq believes in the need to combat terrorism. We know that everyone is aware of Iraq’s suffering brought about by democratic and political developments in our country following the fall of the Saddam regime, in 2003. Owing to the great importance we attach to international cooperation, Iraq has made every effort to combat terrorism. In that regard, I should like to refer to the following. First, article 7 A of Iraq’s 2005 Constitution prohibits any institution or person from advocating terrorism, racism or ethnic or religious cleansing. It also prohibits preparations to commit terrorist acts, especially by Baathists in Iraq, as well as symbols of Baathism. That cannot be condoned under the new multilateral politically diverse system in Iraq. Iraq has committed itself to fighting terrorism in all its forms, so that our country is not a haven for such activities. In order to achieve that, Iraq has ratified most international treaties, conventions and instruments, including the 16 that have been highlighted in United Nations resolutions, such as resolution 1373 (2001). Iraq has participated in international workshops and conferences aimed at fostering dialogue and understanding among civilizations and at preventing discrimination and the arbitary singling out of religions and cultures. Iraq has supported the Global Strategy in order to prevent the using of charity to provide financing and support for terrorism. Iraq has also taken part in a number of workshops organized by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate. With regard to coordinating anti-terrorism efforts, diversity and peaceful coexistence in Iraq cannot be achieved by legislation alone, but by serious efforts to bolster democracy and respect for citizenship. It also cannot be done in the absence of democracy and an appropriate political environment that is open to everyone and fosters tolerance, plurality, equality and the belief in peaceful coexistence free of ethnic conflict. Iraq has been successful in achieving those goals. The Government of Iraq has put together a global counter-terrorism strategy along the lines of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. It is based on harnessing the legal, political, diplomatic, economic, informational, cultural, educational, financial and military means to counter terrorism and prevent it from jeopardizing security in Iraq. That will also have a positive impact on global and regional security and accord with relevant international humanitarian and human rights law and instruments. In order to achieve equality among the various sectors of Iraqi society, the second paragraph of article 14 of the Iraqi Constitution calls for respect for religious rights and protects freedom of religious practices. Article 41 ensures the right to freedom of religion regardless of affiliation with any religious or ethnic group. In order to implement Security Council resolution 1624 (2005), Iraq has expressed its willingness to implement all relevant provisions in respect of the rights of refugees and citizens and international human rights law. Pursuant to articles 15, 19 and 37 of the Constitution, the Iraqi Government has made it illegal to arrest any person without an arrest warrant issued by a court of law. Article 40 also guarantees the freedom of postal, electronic and all other forms of communications and bans telephone surveillance and other restrictive measures without a court-issued warrant, in conformity with human rights norms. We have also enacted legislation to that effect and have set up, in conformity with the Constitution, the Independent High Commission for Human Rights, under the supervision of the Iraqi Parliament, to guarantee full respect for human rights. This will not be in contradiction with the law of refugees or international humanitarian law. Article 21 of the Iraqi Constitution bans extradition of political asylum seekers to any foreign country and the forcible return of such asylum seekers, but political asylum shall not be granted to a person accused of committing terrorist crimes. Iraq has ratified all international and regional human rights conventions and has signed the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, opened for signature, ratification and accession by resolution 39/46 of 10 December 1984. By virtue of Iraqi Law No. 17 of 2010, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which was adopted by the General Assembly in 2006 (resolution 61/177), was incorporated into national law. The Iraqi Parliament has also ratified accession to the Arab Charter on Human Rights, which was adopted by the League of Arab States in 2004.

With the historic adoption in 2006 of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (resolution 60/288) and its plan of action, the international community moved from platitudes to platform in the fight against terrorism. For the third biennial review, our resolve remains clearer than ever. The Philippines joins all speakers and other delegations in renewing its commitment to fighting one of the gravest threats to international peace and security. We also extend our appreciation to the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report (A/66/762) of 4 April, on the implementation of the Strategy. One of the most important counter-terrorism measures for the Philippines, then as now, is intercultural and interfaith dialogue. Respect for human dignity lies at the core of greater understanding, respect and tolerance between and among peoples. We continue to contribute to advancing that dialogue here at the United Nations, in regional forums and within our nation. The Philippines also affirms the United Nations role in strengthening the international legal architecture by promoting the rule of law, respect for human rights and effective criminal justice systems. Together, they constitute the fundamental basis of our fight against terrorism. President Benigno Aquino III has identified the promotion of a just and lasting peace and the rule of law as a key result area of his Social Contract with the Filipino People. An important part of that is the amendment to the Philippines Human Security Act of 2007 (Republic Act No. 9372)  — our landmark law against terrorism — which was designed to more effectively bring terrorists to justice and prevent them from committing terrorist acts with impunity. But while we are providing more legal tools for law enforcement and judicial authorities to fight terrorism, respect for and the protection of civil liberties and human rights will at all times be upheld. Just recently, in keeping with his commitment to good governance, President Aquino signed two new laws against money-laundering and terrorist financing. The first is Republic Act No. 10167, which strengthens the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001. The second is Republic Act No. 10168, which defines and penalizes the crime of the financing of terrorism. Those laws make it easier to freeze a suspicious bank account in order to ensure that criminal proceeds will not be disposed of pending investigation by the authorities. The Financial Action Task Force has taken note of those significant steps as the Philippines’ contribution to global efforts to suppress money-laundering, counterfeiting and the financing of terrorism. In the criminal justice system, law enforcement, security and prosecution authorities should be adequately equipped to respond to terrorist acts, from investigation and evidence-gathering to the bringing of perpetrators to justice. National counter-terrorism programmes must also be anchored in reliable intelligence. With the long-standing support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Anti-Terrorism Council Programme Management Centre of the Philippines continues to offer a highly focused training programme to combat terrorism. The training programme is evidence-based and intelligence-led and emphasizes the joint training of law enforcement, security and prosecution authorities. Last March, Manila hosted a national experts workshop on designing training for collaborative investigation and prosecution of terrorism-related cases, which implemented the Philippines counter-terrorism training initiative on capacity-building. At the workshop, Philippine and international experts developed substantive content for the drafting of training materials. They also agreed on selection criteria to develop a pool of national trainers and on guideposts for assessing the quality and impact of training for priority themes. Those themes include intelligence-gathering and analysis, investigation and prosecution, particularly communicating with investigators and evaluating evidence. Terrorists must never have the ability to wield the destructive force of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction. The 64-point action plan adopted at the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons enhances international cooperation towards that aim. We must build on what we achieved at that Review Conference, working for nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We all, hand in glove, must work to ensure that nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction never fall into the hands of terrorists. Our efforts reflect our firm commitment to being an even more credible and reliable partner in the global counter-terrorism campaign. That has been true for our own region, through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Convention on Counter-Terrorism. Because many of our countries have fallen victim to terrorism, many of us recognize first-hand that fighting this evil in all its forms and manifestations is a very complex and difficult task. But rather than submit to fear and paralysis, we should be all the more undaunted and determined. With the Strategy and plan of action, we now have a global consensus on what must be done. The plan distils our shared experience and best practices. We look forward to sharing stories on their national implementation as we seek to further improve what we must individually do. We must remain even more vigilant. The fight against terrorism should only unite us, and not sow more conflict that will divide us. This year, in the spirit of the thirtieth anniversary of the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes, and in the spirit of the purpose and principles of the United Nations Charter, let us all focus on the big picture of counter-terrorism. For that reason, I cannot end without adding our congratulations to Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski, Permanent Representative of Canada. His masterful facilitation of our consultations — guiding us through the details without missing the big picture — has led to the consensus draft resolution (A/66/L.53) that we are poised to adopt.

I thank the President of the General Assembly for the importance that he attaches to the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. I would also like to thank Ambassador Rishchynski, Permanent Representative of Canada, for his efforts in coordinating our work, and congratulate him on his successful work towards achieving the adoption of a consensus draft resolution (A/66/L.53) on the the third review of the Strategy. My delegation supports the statements made respectively by the Permanent Representative of Syria on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and by the Ambassador of Benin on behalf of the African Group. My country takes this opportunity to yet again condemn as vigorously as possible all forms and manifestations of terrorism, including all acts and activities resulting in harm, and the direct or indirect encouragement, support, promotion or rationalization of such activities. Terrorism recognizes neither countries nor religions and cannot be justified or linked to any specific culture, civilization or human group. We reaffirm our position of principle in support of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We also thank the Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for its remarkable efforts to coordinate the activities of all the actors. I therefore hope that the most recent resolution on the Strategy (resolution 64/297) will remain open and be regularly updated and adjusted to take into account the most recent developments in combating terrorism, and to meet the new challenges posed by that transnational scourge. My delegation also wishes to emphasize the need to implement in an integrated and harmonious way the four pillars of the Strategy, since progress made since the second review of 2010 will require further efforts for the implementation of those objectives in the years to come. In this context, I recall the crucial importance of strengthening the Strategy through bilateral, regional and international cooperation, capacity-building and exchanges of experience in the fight against terrorism. I also recall one of our latest achievements in strengthening the Strategy — the creation of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre, in which sisterly Saudi Arabia played a leading role. I would also refer to the measures taken for the creation of the Centre, and reaffirm our support for that initiative. It is our hope that consultations will continue to define its various competencies, legislation and mandates. The Centre will be a new and effective mechanism for coordination and liaison among all the participants in the Strategy. Allow me to go over some of the major aspects of our approach to combating terrorism, which is based on our national perception of the dangers and challenges posed by the scourge. That approach represents our important contribution to international and regional efforts to implement the Strategy and cooperate with relevant regional mechanisms. Our approach is based on the need to mobilize the domestic front for such efforts. The political aspect is therefore very important. The Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation, proposed by our President and adopted in a 2005 plebiscite, is indeed the proper model for engaging nationally, in coherence and solidarity, with the scourge of terrorism. At the same time, we wish to provide compensation to, support and care for all victims of terrorism. That initiative has also strengthened economic and social development by promoting our ambitious programmes, which have contributed to the reduction of unemployment and allowed for new and fruitful investments. The struggle to combat terrorism can succeed only if it takes into account the need to consider the ideological sources and discourse that incite extremist violence, which pushes some of the most vulnerable and least protected groups to accept and be influenced by that discourse. Algeria has therefore done its best to develop educational and cultural programmes with a religious orientation based on the principles of human rights, peace and tolerance. I would also note the pooling of efforts among security and safety organizations, civil organizations and religious bodies in order to isolate and weaken the remaining terrorist groups, and reduce the impact of their harmful acts. Algeria has always worked to strengthen the values of democracy, the rule of law and the protection of basic freedoms, and has undertaken comprehensive economic and institutional reforms to strengthen social development and reduce differences. Algerian counter-terrorism policy has assumed an important regional dimension by strengthening cooperation with the countries of the Sahel, thereby expanding the field for cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by terrorist operations, particularly Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb. Algeria also collaborated with concerned countries of the region in strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation by holding a conference with the parties involved on 8 September 2011. The conference underscored the need to adopt an integrated regional approach that acknowledges the need to improve the security situation and to address political challenges in a framework of respect for the unity and sovereignty of States, while expanding partnership and cooperation in the areas of economic and humanitarian development. The chaotic security situation and the increase in terrorist activities in the region are also linked to an increase in arms and drug trafficking and smuggling. In that context, my delegation would draw the attention of the international community to the need to vigorously combat the financing of terrorism and to address the issues of abduction, hostage-taking and demands of ransom in exchange for the freeing of hostages — all means used by terrorists to increase their lethal capacity. Algeria would like to express its satisfaction at the level of cooperation with United Nations counter-terrorism mechanisms and specialized agencies. In that regard, I would refer to the training programme established in Algeria in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities; and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate. Algeria’s membership of the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum reaffirms its firm commitment to participating in all activities designed to strengthen international cooperation to combat terrorism. Algeria, in partnership with Canada, presides over the work of the seminar for counter-terrorism capacity-building in the countries of the African Sahel. In November 2011, Algeria hosted a coordination meeting in that area and endorsed the programme of action and activities of that group. In conclusion, it is our hope that the resolution that will result from our work will be a new and effective contribution to our global efforts to combat transnational terrorism.

At the outset, I would like to join others in thanking the Permanent Representative of Canada for his efforts in facilitating the consultations that resulted in a consensus draft resolution (A/66/L.53) on the third review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We also appreciate the Secretary-General’s report on the activities of the United Nations system in implementing the Strategy (A/66/762). Montenegro fully aligns itself with the statement of the European Union. Terrorism is a complex global phenomenon that knows no boundaries, and its effects are not limited to any particular country or region. Terrorism constitutes a significant threat not only to international peace and security, but also to the principles and ideals of the United Nations. Being a global challenge, it truly requires an integrated and well-coordinated global response. The unanimous adoption of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in September 2006 (resolution 60/288) was a milestone achievement. It provided a foundation for an effective and comprehensive response to counter terrorism at all levels. Much progress has been achieved in the implementation of the Strategy since its adoption and through the biennial reviews. The institutionalization of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), which now comprises 31 entities; the CTITF initiative and work on the Integrated Assistance for Countering Terrorism project; the establishment of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Centre within the Task Force; the holding of regional workshops, and the adoption of the first-ever regional joint plan of action in Central Asia all represent important developments and significant gains that will contribute extensively to countering terrorism. Montenegro also welcomes the establishment of the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum, which aims at promoting the implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Against the backdrop of the remarkable results achieved thus far at the national, subregional, regional and international levels, much more needs to be done to ensure the implementation of the Strategy in its entirety. We have to galvanize our efforts and collaboration at all levels and among different stakeholders in combining security, rule of law, development and human rights components with the aim of developing a more balanced and multifaceted approach to all the pillars of the Strategy and more effective responses to the scourge of terrorism. The unique role of the United Nations, which needs to be at the forefront of those efforts, is pivotal. Closer and more integrated coordination within the United Nations and its relevant entities is necessary in order to maximize its effectiveness and avoid a duplication of tasks. In that direction, Montenegro fully supports the recommendations made by the Secretary-General in his latest report, including on the appointment of a single United Nations counter-terrorism coordinator. The Strategy, together with the third biennial draft resolution, underlines the fact that the primary responsibility for implementing the Strategy rests with Member States. For that reason, Montenegro has made a concerted effort and undertaken numerous steps to build an efficient legislative and institutional framework for preventing and combating terrorism. Montenegro remains firmly dedicated to fulfilling the obligations that arise from the universal legal framework against terrorism and related challenges. Fully cognizant of the fact that national actions, no matter how effective, can never be sufficient, Montenegro attaches great importance to working and to actively collaborating, through joint training, working bodies and projects, with other countries of our subregion and the wider region, as well as with relevant subregional, regional and international organizations and initiatives towards eradicating terrorism. In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm my country’s resolve and support to continue to contribute constructively to international efforts in countering terrorism and to the full and timely implementation of the Global Strategy. We hope that the third biennial review will make a meaningful contribution to further strengthening the momentum and overall implementation of the Strategy.

Last September, when we met a decade on from the 9/11 attacks to take stock of our collective efforts to combat international terrorism, it was clear that those efforts had already met with some success. Progress had been made in disrupting and dismantling international terrorist networks and in establishing robust legal, policy and institutional frameworks at both the national and global levels. Our understanding of what was required to prevent and to combat international terrorism had also evolved. However, it is clear that terrorism still poses a serious threat to the international community and that terrorist networks continue to evolve and to adapt to the changing and challenging circumstances. While Al-Qaida has been considerably weakened, the emergence of specific regional offshoots, notably in the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa and the Sahel, continue to be of particular concern. Terrorist networks have proved remarkably adaptable and resilient, changing tactics, adopting new technologies and identifying new sources and methods of financing to maintain their operations. Around the world terrorist attacks continue. There is no room for complacency. The Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, now six years old, remains our core framework for confronting the challenge. Our discussions this week have confirmed that the global consensus around the Strategy and our shared resolve in support of its effective implementation remain as strong as ever. I will make five specific points regarding the draft resolution (A/66/L.53) before us. First, over the past three years, we have made great strides in developing the United Nations framework for supporting the implementation of the Strategy. It is clearly in our interests to ensure that the activities of the United Nations counter-terrorism bodies are well and fully integrated. We therefore welcome and support the Secretary-General’s intention to develop his proposal to appoint a single United Nations counter-terrorism coordinator. We urge the Secretariat to present a fully developed proposal to Member States as soon as possible to enable final agreement in a timely manner. Secondly, we welcome the draft resolution’s acknowledgement of the important complementary work of other international and regional organizations and forums in supporting the Strategy’s implementation. New Zealand is an active participant in several of those efforts, including the work of the Pacific Islands Forum and our partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as the recently established Global Counterterrorism Forum. Indeed, that Forum offers the potential to be a significant force multiplier for United Nations capacity-building efforts, helping to mobilize resources and to strengthen the provision of assistance in many regions affected by terrorism. We therefore welcome the call for enhanced cooperation and coordination between such forums and the United Nations. Thirdly, the past two years have provided further demonstration of the persistent link between terrorism and other security threats, including transnational crime, armed conflict and State fragility. Where those threats converge, as they often do, they can pose serious challenges to national and international security. We therefore urge that, over the coming biennium, the United Nations give even greater attention to achieving a better and more effective integration of our responses to those often interlinked threats. Fourthly, we echo the call of other States represented here today for the full, balanced and effective implementation of the United Nations Strategy across all four pillars. Our collective understanding of how to address conditions conducive to terrorism and measures to prevent and to counter the spread of extremism has advanced significantly over the past few years. We encourage further concerted efforts in that direction again in the coming biennium. We also welcome recent steps to ensure that the United Nations Al-Qaida and Taliban sanctions regime is accurate and effectively targeted, particularly through the appointment of the Ombudsperson of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999). The Ombudsperson has already had a positive and significant impact on the Committee’s work. However, her effectiveness is ultimately determined by the cooperation and the support received from Member States, including through the provision of information. New Zealand is one of several countries to have reached an understanding with her Office regarding the criteria by which it would consider requests for such information. We urge other States to do likewise. Finally, New Zealand urges that the United Nations continue its vital work in strengthening national and regional capacities to combat and to prevent terrorism. Capacity­-building is integral to the partnership underpinning international counter­-terrorism cooperation. New Zealand has been pleased to partner with the United Nations counter-terrorism entities on a number of those initiatives, including in areas such as preventing terrorist financing through the use of cash couriers and strengthening criminal justice and law enforcement capacities and cooperation. As this review acknowledges what has been achieved, it must also serve as a very timely reminder of the significant tasks and challenges that remain ahead of us. New Zealand is committed to playing its part in efforts to strengthen our collective resilience and to build the capacities of all States to disrupt terrorist networks, prevent terrorist acts and bring perpetrators to justice. Above all, our discussion in the General Assembly of the world’s most universal body must send a strong signal of the strength and determination of the international consensus against terrorism. Those who plan and perpetrate terrorism must know that the international community, as represented by the Assembly, stands resolved to resist and prevent their crimes; that their funding will be intercepted; that their networks will be disrupted and destroyed; and that they will be detected, caught and punished for their attacks on the innocent. Above all, they must know that they will not succeed in their terrorist plots and that we, collectively, will do all that is necessary to ensure that end.

I welcome this important meeting, which allows us to review the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. I also welcome the report of the Secretary-General (A/66/762) on United Nations efforts to implement the Strategy. While my country is pleased with the positive results achieved so far in implementing the Strategy as part of the work of the United Nations and at national and regional levels to ensure a comprehensive international approach to dealing with this dangerous phenomenon, we believe that the progress achieved in implementing the Strategy’s four pillars is not yet sufficient. This is due to many ongoing conditions that contribute to the emergence of terrorist acts, such as aggression and the illegal use of force. Such conditions demand that the international community revitalize its mechanisms and strengthen its efforts to address and contain those causes. Despite the successful efforts by the international community to combat terrorism to date, we continue to witness more sophisticated and dangerous terrorist acts. That makes it imperative that the international community strengthen cooperation and coordination in fighting and preventing the financing of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. That must be done by intensifying the fight against piracy and preventing smuggling and illicit trafficking in arms and drugs; by enhancing international cooperation and coordination in disseminating information; and by strengthening the legal framework that enables the prosecution of those involved in acts of terrorism. With regard to the issue of ensuring respect for the human rights of all and for the rule of law, we believe that there is a need to reaffirm our full commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, as well as to the relevant international conventions, particularly those relating to the protection of human rights in all counter-terrorism activities. The United Arab Emirates, which deplores and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism, has taken a number of measures designed to help implement the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. They include the continuing evaluation and development of our national legislation, systems and programmes aimed at combating terrorism and its financing; strengthening measures against money-laundering; and enhancing efforts to prevent and prosecute all transnational crimes, including the smuggling of drugs and small arms. To that end, the United Arab Emirates has devoted its capabilities and national expertise to coordinating and cooperating with international mechanisms and other relevant regional and subregional organizations to strengthen its control over banking operations, accounts and investment deposits. The United Arab Emirates is currently completing preparations in Abu Dhabi to host the headquarters of the International Centre of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism, which has been endorsed by the Working Group on Combating Violent Extremism established by the Global Counterterrorism Forum. The Centre will officially open next October, in collaboration with a number of public and private institutions, and will be the first global forum enabling Governments and civil society organizations to coordinate national, regional and international efforts to combat acts of violent extremism. As we look forward to the international community reaching an agreement on a comprehensive convention on international terrorism, we renew our call for the convening of an international conference, under the auspices of the United Nations, to formulate a clear definition of terrorism and identify the root causes of its spread. In that context, we also call for support for an international plan to support victims of terrorism. We hope that the deliberations at this meeting will help promote the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

At the outset, allow me to convey our gratitude and appreciation for the condolences extended this morning to my Government, people and royal family on the passing away of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior. His Highness’s long-standing efforts to maintain security and combat terrorism were commendable. The great contributions he made will go down in the annals of history. We would like to associate ourselves with the statement made on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in connection with this third review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. I cannot fail to thank the Permanent Representative of Canada and his team for their tireless efforts over the past few months to achieve consensus, as well as for their preparatory work. I should also emphasize the fact that the experience and wisdom that Mr. Rishchynski and his colleagues demonstrated throughout that difficult task played a key role in the success of our endeavours. Terrorism is one of the most significant challenges of our time. Fighting this phenomenon is not limited to the borders of any one State but is indeed a task for the international community as a whole. Terrorism is not limited to one nation, race, civilization or religion. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has on many occasions and in many international forums reaffirmed its condemnation of, and indignation at, the phenomenon of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, by whomever and however committed. We have declared our total readiness to work with all United Nations bodies to define and fight terrorism, grapple with its underlying causes and contribute effectively to collective international efforts and policies to combat it. That reflects our ongoing and consistent policy towards international terrorism and its perpetrators. We have adopted a number of measures and actions at the local, regional and international level to counter terrorism, since it is a threat to international peace and security. At the national level, they include the establishment of the Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef Centre for Counselling and Care in the area of rehabilitation. At the international level, we have ratified a number of relevant conventions, including the Convention of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf on Combating Terrorism, the Convention of the Organization of the Islamic Conference on Combating International Terrorism and the Arab Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism, as well as 14 of the 16 international conventions aimed at combating terrorism. The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre, which was referenced in resolution 60/288, was established during the International Counter-Terrorism Conference in Riyadh in 2005. The creation of the Centre, which was launched following a signing ceremony in New York on 19 September 2011, was a very important step. Its Advisory Committee met for the second time in Saudi Arabia in June. The Centre reflects our conviction that combating the collective threat posed by terrorism requires international cooperation and coordination of effort, exchanges of views and experiences and information programmes and training. This is a threat that undermines the collective security and stability of all. My country would like to reaffirm the importance of defining global counter-terrorism strategies at every level. We therefore welcome and support the contribution of the Global Counterterrorism Forum to implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Reviewing the Strategy is not a simple or routine task carried out every two years. It is in fact essential to enable us to tackle this phenomenon, which is a continuing scourge and threat to our security that has increased and evolved in recent years. We must recognize that the terrorism that we know today is no longer the traditional terrorism involvign the usual groups, organization and sources of financing. We now know that there are self-radicalized persons who work alone and without organizational support. Fighting international terrorism of such magnitude requires in-depth reflection on the root causes that motivate terrorism and incite people to violence. Ensuring justice and restoring rights is crucial to the fight against terrorism. Justice requires that we acknowledge that terrorism can be practised by States against their own people. We cannot remain silent in the face of the very carefully planned out terrorism practised against the Palestinian people, or in the face of accusations that an unarmed people are engaging in terrorist acts. We demand that a stop be put to the illegal occupation of Gaza, where 1.6 million people live, half of whom are children, as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated in her report. My country sees the wisdom of the Secretary­ General’s recommendations in his report (A/66/762) to raise the coordination levels among all teams and bodies within the United Nations in the fight against terrorism. Notwithstanding that, we would like to also reaffirm that it is important to preserve the specific role of each body and that coordination should not undermine the balance, transparency or means of communication between the various State bodies or Member States. Furthermore, those recommendations must be considered more closely in the period to come. We appreciate the attention of the General Assembly and the efforts that the President had made leading up to today’s review. We reaffirm our commitment to make every possible effort to implement the principles of the Strategy at the international, regional and national levels.

I wish to congratulate the President for convening this important meeting. I also wish to recognize the tremendous contribution of Canada in facilitating the draft resolution (A/66/L.53) on the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which is to be adopted soon. Since the last review, Zambia has made significant strides in addressing the four pillars of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. In addressing them, the Zambian Government has, among other steps, created core national programmes to address problems affecting the development of education, health services, agriculture, housing and local Government. The Zambian Government has also further introduced a wide range of socio-economic reforms to address issues of social security and protection, as well as those of gender and youth development. Development programmes covered in those sectors include the development of the arts, culture, sport and recreation. In the mainstream economy, the Government is working around the clock to enhance labour and industrial reforms and addressing matters relating to financial planning, with a view to developing land and natural resources, infrastructure, trade and commerce. In the area of sustainable development, my country is looking at improvements in science and technology in order to develop the energy, mining and ecotourism sectors, while preserving the environment. The Zambian Government has also taken cognizance of the fact that bad governance can lead to terrorism. In this vein, there are reforms in the media, the public service, the judiciary, constitutional and electoral areas. General legislation is also being implemented to promote good governance. In the meantime, the Government has cultivated a mutual partnership with the private sector and civic organizations, including religious institutions, in order to promote dialogue on matters of common interest, such as the threat of terrorism. In addition to that, Zambia continues to observe and implement all the international conventions that our country has signed, especially in relation to human rights, particularly those of women and children, and to promote friendly and cordial relations with the country’s neighbours and all foreign countries. With regard to international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, Zambia, as a member of the Eastern and Southern African Anti-Money-Laundering Group, is actively taking steps to address the various challenges that the country faces in relation to preventing and combating terrorism. Zambia will pursue a foreign policy based on the mutuality of common interest and respect, including in the fight against terrorism. As for capacity-building, Zambia intends to continue to increase its capacity to deal with the threats of terrorism in collaboration with other institutions, such as the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force. Representatives may also wish to note that Zambia has established a financial intelligence centre and is in the process of establishing a centre against terrorism. Finally, Zambia notes with great approval the recommendation to appoint a counter-terrorism coordinator. That will ensure that the Strategy and activities of the United Nations with regard to preventing and combating terrorism are more effectively managed and implemented.

Let me begin by thanking the President for organizing this important debate on the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. I would like also to express my appreciation to the Secretary-General for his reports on the Strategy (A/66/762 and A/66/762/Add.1). My delegation also aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of Benin on behalf of the African Group. Terrorism today constitutes one of the most serious challenges to international peace and security. It is beyond doubt that there is an urgent need to effectively address the challenge through concerted counter-terrorism measures. In response to the growing threat of terrorism in the world, the international community has taken various significant steps in developing long-term strategic responses to that scourge. As a result, in 2006 all United Nations States Members unanimously adopted the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which provides for a holistic response to terrorist acts and includes a concrete plan of action that rests on four pillars. Without a doubt, some progress has been made in implementing the Strategy, but the undiminished incidents of terrorism serve as a constant reminder that the implementation of the Strategy has not yet produced the desired results. It is therefore obvious that effective measures are required to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, prevent and combat terrorism, build State capacity and promote respect for human rights and the rule of law. As we all know, terrorism is a complex and ever-changing phenomenon in terms of its motivation, financing and support mechanisms, methods of attack and choice of targets. That makes it more difficult to counter terrorism effectively. We should admit that the future is uncertain and that it is still possible to be exploited by extremists. However, if we are united and committed in the fight against terrorism, peace and security in the world will be secured. While the primary responsibility for implementing the Strategy rests with Member States, international, regional and subregional organizations should continue to play a key role in promoting counter-terrorism cooperation. The joint response of the international community also has to be long-term and multipronged. It has to address the various conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and must include dialogue, understanding and efforts to counter the appeal of terrorism. Ethiopia is convinced that tolerance and dialogue among civilizations and the enhancement of interfaith and intercultural understanding are among the most important elements in promoting cooperation and success in combating terrorism. We therefore welcome the various initiatives to that end. In a globalized society, Ethiopia is concerned about terrorists’ increasing use of new information and communication technologies. The exploitation of the Internet by terrorist groups for a variety of purposes is not new, but lately we have seen terrorists turn increasingly to the Web and the channels it supports to raise money, attract recruits, communicate information and spread propaganda. The international community’s response to this challenge has been inadequate, however. Ethiopia underlines the importance of greater cooperation among United Nations entities and of the work of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) to ensure overall coordination and coherence in the counter-terrorism efforts of the United Nations system, as well as the need to continue promoting transparency and to avoid duplication of their work. In that connection, we welcome the Secretary-General’s recommendation that a United Nations counter-terrorism coordinator be appointed. Ethiopia has taken a number of measures relating to the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We have ratified 10 United Nations anti-terrorism instruments. The Ethiopian Parliament has also passed and begun to implement anti-terrorism legislation, with the objective of providing a comprehensive legal framework for combating terrorism. With the support of the CTITF, Ethiopia has also hosted a regional workshop in Addis Ababa on counter-terrorism. We recognize that money-laundering and terrorist financing are very serious challenges for the international community as a whole. Preventing the financing of terrorism is crucial to suppressing terrorist acts. In that context, we have established a financial intelligence unit that is actively exchanging information on flows of suspicious funding, including terrorist financing. In that regard, we believe that the cooperation of the relevant United Nations entities is essential to the full implementation of our international obligations to combat the financing of terrorism. Ethiopia has also strengthened its cooperation in exchanging information relating to the prevention and combating of terrorism, through bilateral agreements on a joint working group, for example, and on countering terrorism bilaterally. We have also concluded extradition and mutual legal assistance agreements with countries of our region and others. Ethiopia’s commitment to working with international organizations such as the United Nations and the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force and with regional bodies of which it is a member, such as the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, is unwavering. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work done by the Task Force and the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate to organize workshops and seminars focused on the implementation of the Strategy in our subregion. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my country’s commitment to continuing to work at the national, regional and global levels to combat terrorism in order to create an international environment hostile to terrorism.

On behalf of my delegation, I wish to convey Uganda’s appreciation for the efforts of His Excellency Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski, Permanent Representative of Canada and facilitator of the consultations of the third biennial review of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Uganda continues to face terrorist challenges from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and Al-Shabaab groups, which are all linked to Al-Qaida. The ADF, now based in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has embarked seriously on recruiting and training young people, including children, who are now child soldiers. However, since the bomb attacks of 11 July 2010 in Kampala, no other incidents have been recorded. Mindful of the threat posed by those and other terrorist groups, Uganda recognizes the key role played by the United Nations in international counter-terrorism operations, and strongly supports the effective implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Since 1998, the Government of Uganda has adopted several measures at the national, regional and international levels aimed at preventing and combating both local and international terrorism. That approach involves a combination of the policy tools and measures available, as well as cooperation at various levels. In the fight against terrorism, Uganda has adopted the following measures. At the international level, we continue to support all relevant United Nations resolutions, conventions and international agreements. In that regard, we are implementing measures to prevent, combat and eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. At the regional level, Uganda has adopted and is implementing international protocols on countering terrorism in the region. As a member of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Uganda is implementing the IGAD plan of action for preventing and combating terrorism, adopted in Kampala in October 2003. We are also actively involved in regional and subregional efforts to promote peace and security through frameworks such as the East African Community (EAC), IGAD, the Conference on the Great Lakes Region and the African Union (AU). At the national level, Uganda passed an anti-terrorism act in 2002 that establishes the legal framework within which counter-terrorism efforts are regulated. Under the law, anyone who engages in aiding, financing, harbouring or planning acts of terrorism is committing an offence that carries a maximum penalty of execution. Part II, section 5, of the act also provides for mutual legal assistance and extradition. Uganda has taken all the necessary measures to combat terrorism, particularly by making efforts to prevent its territory from being used for cross-border terrorist acts and to swiftly bring to justice people or entities participating in such acts on its territory, an example of which is the prosecution of those involved in the attacks in Kampala on 11 July 2010, in which 78 innocent people perished and more than 200 were injured. In 2000, we enacted an amnesty law, whose effectiveness has been proven as it has motivated a number of terrorists to abandon their cause and surrender. Most of those who defected to the Government from the ADF and the LRA have been pardoned and reintegrated into society. In 2007, Uganda created a strategy for raising public awareness and sensitization through police-led security education and training programmes, under which regular surveys and inspections of vital installations and establishments are carried out in order to upgrade security measures around the facilities and to sensitize members of society. Security forces are also collaborating closely with immigration and customs authorities in order to prevent people involved in illicit activities from entering the country. Uganda is also building its capacity in the fight against terrorism through the acquisition of specialized equipment and training. Uganda has also started issuing national identity cards to all its citizens, which is expected to eliminate cases stemming from the illegal acquisition of travel documents. We reaffirm our support for the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and would like to make the following recommendations. First, there should be timely and regular exchanges of information relating to terrorism between States. Secondly, improved international cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of terrorism-related cases should be given priority. Thirdly, national capacities in intelligence, investigation and prosecution of terrorism-related cases, including extradition of all terrorists without exception, should be enhanced. Fourthly, regional and subregional cooperation with the AU, IGAD and the ECA, inter alia, should be strengthened. Finally, international cooperation in countering the financing of terrorism should be improved.

Allow me to thank the President for his leadership in organizing the third review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We thank the Permanent Representative of Canada for his efforts in facilitating the consultations on the draft resolution (A/66/L.53) on the review of the implementation of the Strategy. My delegation also welcomes the comprehensive reports of the Secretary-General on the activities undertaken by the United Nations system to implement the Strategy (A/66/762 and A/66/762/Add.1). Since its adoption, in 2006, the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy has continued to provide a comprehensive and important governing framework for counter-terrorism activities. The biennial review is an opportunity for us to take stock of the progress made by all the Member States in implementing the Strategy. While we renew our commitment to enhancing counter-terrorism cooperation among States, it is also necessary to continue the coordination and collaboration between the United Nations and regional and national counter-terrorism networks. Despite the concerted efforts by the international community and Member States to counter terrorism, the menace continues to threaten the world in different forms and manifestations. The scourge afflicts all of us  — the big, the small, the strong and the weak. What remains of critical concern is the continuing phenomenon of an ever-ready and increasing pool of volunteers willing to participate in terrorism. In that context, it is critical to sustain the focus on addressing the conditions that give rise to the spread of terrorism. In our view, the current predominant focus on security aspects, while necessary, will not suffice to eliminate terrorism or its appeal. There is therefore a need for a more balanced implementation of the four pillars of the Strategy. Sri Lanka recently emerged from 27 years of terrorism. In 2009, with its defeat, we brought to an end a dark era of 27 years of daily bombings, including endless suicide bombings and shootings, and thousands of deaths, mainly of civilians  — men, women and children. Thousands of children were recruited as combatants by the terrorists. Today we have peace. The Government has adopted a policy of restorative justice in order to counter any future drift towards terrorism. Because of peace breaking out, the economy is booming and tourism is growing exponentially. The Government has adopted a policy to address the causes of terrorism that broadly coincides with the sentiments expressed by the President of the General Assembly. Economic marginalization and a lack of opportunity have been recognized as key factors that attract the young to the ranks of the terrorists. Large-scale funding has now been directed to the former conflict-affected areas in my country in order to rebuild schools, hospitals and clinics, rehabilitate the agriculture and fisheries, rebuild roads, reconnect the electricity and water, and so forth. As a consequence, in the past year, the economy of those areas rebounded with growth of about 22 per cent, compared with the national average growth rate of 8.2 per cent. The Government also recognized that long-term incarceration of combatants would be counterproductive. At the end of the conflict in 2009, over 11,700 terrorist combatants surrendered to security forces. The Government, having recognized that most of them were victims rather than initiators of the terrorist conflict, decided to rehabilitate the former combatants and send them home, consistent with the policy of restorative justice. In so doing, it was also recognized that the indefinite incarceration of the former combatants would only encourage greater feelings of anger and bitterness. That was done despite the recovery of buried weapons on a regular basis. Close to 600 child soldiers captured by security forces have been rehabilitated and returned to their families or extended families. All of those persons have been provided the opportunity to resume their education, gain access to technical training or develop skills in agriculture and fisheries so that they can return to normal society with skills that can provide livelihoods. Our approach to healing the wounds reflects our own values. Restoration and rehabilitation, rather than punishment, is our approach. Our youth was also attracted to terrorism by the glamorization of violence as a means to achieve political goals and as a means for young people to express themselves. The easy manipulation of the media by terrorist groups, the charismatic and uncompromising approach of the leadership, the exploitation of youth disenchantment by greedy politicians and the tolerance and accommodation shown by certain influential international elements towards the terrorists’ goals were key elements. We need to be unflinchingly aware of the consequences of nurturing tigers. One of the key concerns of the Government is the continuing existence in certain countries of the West of vocal supporters of the terrorists, in particular elements that had once funded the terrorist groups, its child recruitment and suicide bombing campaigns. Those groups continue to raise funds and agitate against the Government and the people of Sri Lanka. The message that that tolerance conveys to other terrorist groups is one of hope. Sri Lanka is a State party to key international instruments aimed at countering terrorism. Sri Lanka has also enacted strong legislation to give effect to the international instruments. A number of mutual legal assistance agreements have been signed at the bilateral and regional levels. We are a member of the Asia/ Pacific Group on Money Laundering and of the Egmont Group. In 1988, we ratified the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Regional Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism and the related mutual legal assistance agreement. Sri Lanka is a party to the seven key human rights treaties and is committed to upholding the core principles and values enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international law and international humanitarian law. The Directorate of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law of the Sri Lanka Army, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross, provides training in international humanitarian law and human rights law to service personnel. The National Human Rights Commission is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights. The Commission can inquire into and investigate complaints regarding rights violations in order to ensure compliance with the fundamental rights provisions of our Constitution. My delegation supports the efforts to enhance overall coordination and avoid duplication of effort in countering terrorism. While we welcome the Secretary-General’s proposal to create a United Nations counter-terrorism coordinator, we also hope that such a position will not affect the existing mandates of the United Nations organs and the General Assembly’s role in countering terrorism. We also believe that the early conclusion of the comprehensive convention on terrorism will further facilitate the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Sri Lanka remains committed to implementing the Strategy and to supporting international efforts to counter terrorism. We are also ready to contribute to counter-terrorism efforts through the sharing of expertise, best practices in the delivery of essential services and other lessons learned.

It is an honour for me to be here today, and I would like to thank the President for convening this meeting. I join previous speakers in congratulating Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski, Permanent Representative of Canada, for successfully leading the consultations on the third review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The Maldives does not believe that there can be a localized incident of terrorism. We do not believe that any terrorist act can be considered solely as a national issue. In all its forms and manifestations and in all the locations around the world where we see this scourge rear its ugly head, it has always been an international issue of concern. It is condemned globally and it is through a globally coordinated Strategy that we address it. It is in that sprit that my delegation commends the work done to bring about consensus on the draft resolution (A/66/L.53). It is in that same spirit that we support the Secretary-General’s reports (A/66/762 and A/66/762/Add.1), the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force and the relevant United Nations agencies, funds and programmes. The Republic of Maldives is firmly committed to combating all acts of terrorism and is pleased that the draft resolution takes into account the necessity for a balanced, comprehensive and systematic approach to addressing global terrorism. Maldives is party to 12 of the 13 international treaties on counter-terrorism, as well as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism and its Additional Protocol. As a party to those international obligations, Maldives reaffirms its commitment to fighting for justice, basic human rights and the rule of law. Maldives commends the Royal Government of Saudi Arabia for its initiative in establishing the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre last year and looks forward to greater engagement from the Centre. It should be noted that fighting terrorism requires a comprehensive approach, where nations focus on awareness and prevention rather than just punishment. The Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, being the voice of the community of nations, takes that basic premise into account. With regard to the Secretary-General’s recommendations, Maldives supports the appointment of a single United Nations counter-terrorism coordinator, as well as the development of national and regional strategy implementation plans. It is our deepest desire that those recommendations are operationalized in a manner that encourages greater regional cooperation. As an island State in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Maldives is confronted with the scourge of maritime piracy. In the recent past, our country has faced an upsurge of incidents. In that regard, it is pleasing to note that the seventeenth SAARC Summit, held in Maldives in November 2011, decided to initiate work towards combating maritime piracy in the South Asian region. Throughout history, Maldives has been, and remains, constantly vigilant of ideologies that breed extremism, which in turn cultivates hate and thereby fosters violence. However legitimate a grievance may be, the use of violence to support a political, religious or other ideology can be defined as nothing less than terrorism. The Government of Maldives has placed the prevention of violence at the forefront of its agenda. Our law enforcement agencies have been able to coordinate to root out violence. It is imperative that intelligence be shared both domestically as well as internationally so that there is a coordinated effort to counter terrorism. In 2008, my country adopted a liberal Constitution where powers were separated and independent institutions of democratic governance created. In order for the current and future generations of Maldivians to better understand the inherent rights and responsibilities enshrined in the new Constitution, the Government of Maldives recently initiated a programme incorporating civic education into the country’s school curriculum. In higher secondary education, the Government has also supported an interdisciplinary study of faith aimed at encouraging unity, progress and hope in order to dispel any sign of hatred and division. It is through addressing that hatred that we change the extremist narrative, through education that we lessen recruitment and through democratic norms that we produce justice. As part of a programme of strengthening the independent institutions and branches of democratic governance in Maldives, the Government is facilitating a programme on justice sector reform, incorporating human rights prerogatives and democratic ideals into the judicial system so that that branch of governance may better meet its obligations under the new Constitution. That reform programme, together with updated bills on violence and the introduction of a penal code, will give structure to the judicial system and ensure that the most absolute measure of criminal justice is carried out, while protecting the fundamental human rights of all Maldivians and the maintenance of the rule of law. Economic disparity and exclusion must also be taken into account as root causes of terrorism. As a nation with an economy that is both small and vulnerable to internal and external shocks, Maldives is ever cognizant of the potential for radicalization among the destitute. Maldives is therefore determined to maintain its focus on development as a vehicle to combat terrorism. Terrorism in all forms and manifestations is a threat to human dignity. We, as the community of nations, must be resolute in our comprehensive response to it. The Maldives believes that the United Nations remains the only organization that can universally deal with this global challenge. Maldives therefore pledges its unequivocal support for the fulfilment of each pillar of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

First and foremost, on behalf of the African Group and on my own behalf, I would like to express my full satisfaction for the holding of the third review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, as well as at seeing you, Sir, presiding over our meeting. Allow me to also express the African Group’s appreciation for the untiring and sustained efforts of Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski, Permanent Representative of Canada, who served as the facilitator for the Strategy’s third biannual review. The Group would also like to pay tribute to him for the intensive consultations that were held in the context of reaching consensus on the draft resolution on the review (A/66/L.53). Terrorism is a serious threat to our collective security. Terrorist attacks, which sow the seeds of misfortune and desolation throughout all continents, especially in Africa, serve to remind us of the need and urgency of uniting our efforts and coordinating our action in order to conquer that danger. Africa reiterates its total condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It firmly rejects any attempts to associate terrorism with any one religion or nationality, and believes that those who are bent on inventing such entirely absurd ties are playing into the hands of terrorists, whose actions are in no way justifiable. The persistence of this heinous phenomenon, which appears in unsuspected forms and immeasurable proportions, demands that all nations cooperate closely and act vigorously in a pitiless struggle to eradicate it. No one can ignore the existence of terrorism. It has reared its head ever more cruelly since the vile attacks of 11 September 2001 and continues to affect Africa, particularly Nigeria. There is no motive or reason that can justify terrorism, a totally irrational phenomenon whose acts are as vile as they are shameful. The international community must spare no effort to find ways to drive terrorists from their sanctuaries, whether in the mountains of Afghanistan or the dunes of the Sahara and the Sahel, and to bring them to justice in order to prevent them from harming and to save humankind from their lethal schemes. Africa supports without reservation the central role of the United Nations in the struggle against this scourge through the establishment in 2006 of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which we are currently reviewing for the third time in order to see how far we have come and to examine the best prospects for an effective fight in the future. The Secretary-General’s report (A/66/762), which summarizes United Nations efforts to implement the Strategy over the past two years, provides the basic data we need to measure what has been done to date and to lay out what is to be done in future against terrorism. The African Group commends the attention given to strengthening the Strategy’s four pillars, especially those geared to eliminating conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, as well as those on preventing and settling conflicts, extending assistance to victims of terrorism, development and social integration, dialogue, understanding and the fight against terrorism’s appeal, as well as measures aimed at strengthening States’ capacities in the areas of preventing and combating terrorism, and at strengthening the role of the United Nations in that regard. The African Group takes note of the report and believes that everything must be implemented in order prevent terrorists from organizing and carrying out their plans. In that regard, the Group considers it imperative that steps be taken at the global level to combat terrorist groups’ use of modern means of communication, particularly Internet sites, by which they coordinate their criminal activities in recruiting, propagandizing and spreading the word about their vile acts. We would also like to stress the importance of ramping up efforts to combat the financing of terrorism in all its forms, especially ransom payments demanded when hostages are taken. This disgusting and cynical method is a significant source of financing for terrorism. The Group emphasizes the necessity of implementing those provisions concerning ransom payment contained in resolution 65/34, introduced at Algeria’s initiative in accordance with the decision of the African Union. The African Centre for Study and Research on Terrorism, established within the framework of the African Union, is one of Africa’s special contributions to the international communicty’s efforts to combat terrorism. It is also worth mentioning that an African anti-terrorism framework law has been adopted and is currently being prepared as part of the the Centre’s activities. The African Group commends the Secretary­ General’s proposal to designate a United Nations counter-terrorism coordinator to head the Counter­ Terrorism Implementation Task Force and provide advice in this area. Meanwhile, we would like to see more extensive cooperation among States through existing legal instruments at the global, regional and subregional levels, such as the Convention on Extradition and Mutural Legal Assistance in Counter-Terrorism, signed in New York by a number of African countries on an initiative by Morocco. In that connection, the African Group welcomes the establishment of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre with the cooperation of Saudi Arabia, and would like to pay deserved tribute to that country for an excellent initiative, a step forward in the search for ways and means for an effective and coordinated approach to fighting the peril of terrorism. The launch in New York on 26 September 2011 of the Global Counterterrorism Forum is also a commendable additional means for continuing to tighten the noose around terrorism. I cannot conclude without reiterating the importance that the African Group attaches to finalizing the draft of a general convention on terrorism. In that regard, I would like to call on all States to cooperate in seeking the compromises necessary for the adoption of a final text that enables us to focus our actions against terrorism within a single legal framework and at the same time to fill the gaps in existing institutions.

In accordance with resolution 44/4, of 17 October 1989, I now call on the observer of the Council of Europe.

At the outset, let me reiterate, as so many speakers before me have done, the importance that the Council of Europe attaches to having a single, coherent and universally accepted framework for global solidarity and action against terrorism. The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy is an outstanding achievement. It must be preserved, promoted and, above all, put into practice. The Council of Europe is the oldest all-European regional organization. In the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, our founding fathers dreamed of a Europe of like-minded nations that shared the same values  — respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law — a Europe that would never again have to live through the horror and destruction of war. Indeed, common understanding and respect for those fundamental values is both a precondition and a solid basis for addressing the conditions conducive to the horror and destruction that terrorism brings. From this viewpoint, everything that the Council of Europe has been doing for more than 60 years now has contributed to curbing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism. Nevertheless, events have shown that Europe is not immune to the threat of terrorism, including that of homegrown terrorism. New measures are therefore needed that strike a fair balance between the protection of individual human rights and the protection of society from terrorism. As a rule-of-law organization, the Council of Europe pays close attention to strengthening legal action to prevent and combat terrorism. We have developed broadly accepted norms and procedures for sharing information and mutual legal assistance. In that regard, I should mention the Council of Europe mutual legal assistance treaties and the Convention on Cybercrime, which is increasingly becoming a global reference. The most prominent step taken since the second biennial review was the follow-up to the Council of Europe 2005 Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism, which is an important legally binding regional instrument. This year, the monitoring mechanism for the Convention was set in motion for the first time. The first monitoring round will focus on the implementation of the provisions aimed at countering recruitment for terrorism. The core body of our counter-terrorism action, the Committee of Experts on Terrorism of the Council of Europe, is responsible for identifying gaps in international law and action against terrorism and to propose solutions. It is now working on the national coordination of the use of special investigation techniques where we have a “soft law” recommendation and on legislative approaches to criminalizing preparatory acts by terrorists acting alone. We strongly believe that addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, the strengthening of the implementation of international instruments and of the legal action to prevent and combat terrorism while respecting human rights and the rule of law must go hand in hand with capacity-building of all national institutions involved in countering the terrorist threat. The development of specialized training modules, the exchange of good practices and the clearing and mainstreaming of communication channels between practitioners will all help to curb the threat and bring terrorists to justice. The Council of Europe continues to be active in the areas of protecting minorities and fighting intolerance, racism and social exclusion. Our white paper on intercultural dialogue, developed in consultation with State and non-State actors, provides a set of guidelines for projects such as the Intercultural Cities programme, where a model of migrant and minority integration at the local level based on intercultural community-building was successfully piloted. Our organization is engaged in an open dialogue with representatives of Governments, businesses and civil society on how to safeguard the freedom, privacy, security and integrity of the Internet. Through the Internet Governance Initiative, we want the Internet to be a space for freedom, justice and democracy, and not a tool for the propagation of extremism and terrorism. The Council of Europe is strongly engaged in assisting victims of terrorism through several relevant conventions and a dozen “soft law” resolutions and recommendations. We are also very conscious of the increasing need to develop a convincing counter-terrorism narrative. It is the duty of regional organizations to contribute to the sustained implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. With its standard-making capacity, the monitoring mechanisms of its conventions and our technical assistance efforts, the Council of Europe will continue to be a force for enhancing the impact of the Strategy.

In accordance with resolution 48/5, of 13 October 1993, I now call on the observer for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Today is the third time that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has been given an opportunity to present its activities in supporting the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in this forum. The invitation to participate at the General Assembly’s biennial review is also a reminder that regional organizations have a well-defined role and a well-received mandate in assisting their participating States in generating political will, raising awareness and building capacity in implementing the Strategy. The OSCE is aware of that challenging responsibility, and my first main point is that our new Transnational Threats Department places the OSCE in a position to be the Assembly’s closest partner in effectively developing and integrating United Nations strategies among the OSCE’s 56 participating States and 12 Partners for Cooperation. The Transnational Threats Department brings together OSCE expertise on anti-terrorism, policing, border security, cybersecurity and other areas that might emerge in the future. The OSCE continues to support the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and works closely with the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations to ensure the Strategy’s implementation. The main OSCE anti-terrorism objectives fully comply with the Strategy, thereby making the OSCE an effective supporter and a regional facilitator of the implementation of pertinent global efforts. Let me link that to my partner institution that focuses on the human dimension. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) supports the implementation of pillar IV of the Strategy, namely, “Measures to ensure respect for human rights for all and the rule of law as the fundamental basis of the fight against terrorism”. ODIHR assists OSCE participating States in developing and implementing human rights-compliant anti-terrorism policies. In particular, ODIHR supports them in strengthening their law enforcement capacities to respect human rights through training in countering terrorism while protecting human rights. ODIHR also provides advice and analysis on key human rights issues in the anti-terrorism context and, upon request, assists OSCE participating States in drafting and strengthening existing anti-terrorism legislation in line with international human rights standards and practices. The OSCE has recognized that security goes beyond politico-military issues and fully encompasses the security of the individual human being. The OSCE multidimensional approach to security does not call for the balancing of liberty and security nor does it suggest that liberty, or aspects thereof, must be sacrificed to achieve security. On the contrary, the OSCE regards respect for human rights and the rule of law as an integral element of security. Combating and ultimately overcoming terrorism will not succeed if the means to do so are not in conformity with human rights standards. OSCE participating States have pledged to fully respect international law and human rights standards when preventing and countering terrorism. They have reaffirmed, on a number of occasions, that the struggle against terrorism is not a war against religions or peoples and that anti-terrorist action is not aimed against any religion, nation or people. They have also recognized the crucial role played by civil society in anti-terrorism efforts and are committed to solidarity with the victims of terrorism. Furthermore, other OSCE structures in the economic dimension, such as the Office of the Coordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, are also active in the fields of suppressing money-laundering and the financing of terrorism. In addition, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media monitors legislation on the prevention of the abuse of information technology for terrorist purposes to ensure consistency with freedom of expression and the free flow of information. Finally, I would like to pay tribute to the work of the 16 OSCE field operations that provide, as we say, an ear to the ground. Those mandated to do so offer tailor-made anti-terrorism-related assistance to their host countries. Let me illustrate a recent example of all the preceding points. The OSCE has been invited to participate and has participated actively in the process leading to the development and adoption of the Joint Plan of Action for the Implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia, adopted by a high-level meeting on 30 November 2011. The OSCE’s multidimensional concept of security enables the organization to address transnational threats in a genuine, comprehensive way with the aim of translating political commitments into effective and sustainable action. It is my second main point that our 16 field missions can draw on all of the assets I have mentioned, as well as United Nations or other programmes, to set up a platform for the sustainable follow-through by partners who commit to providing resources. Returning to today’s main focus, anti-terrorism in the OSCE, we are active overall in each of the four pillars outlined in the Strategy. The OSCE’s secretariat, institutions and field operations implement many activities and programmes relevant to anti-terrorism. Let me give the Assembly some examples. As the lead on anti-terrorism issues within the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department, we are the focal point for coordinating the organization’s anti-terrorism activities. We offer a wide range of counter-terrorism assistance for participating States and our partners for cooperation, as part of advancing the global counter-terrorism agenda. First, promoting the international framework can be considered as a genuine success story in that regard. Fifty-two of the 56 OSCE participating States are now party to all 12 universal anti-terrorism instruments that were in force in 2001. That means that the ratification rate is 96 per cent. If we add the four new instruments adopted in 2005, the rate of ratifcation/signature of the 16 universal anti-terrorism instruments is 84 per cent. Of the four instruments, the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism was recently ratified by 35 participating States. The OSCE has developed active cooperation with both relevant United Nations entities  — the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime — in promoting that international legal framework. I know that many members of the Assembly will be at the side event later this afternoon. The OSCE is aware that preventing people from embracing violence is of strategic importance in mitigating the threat of terrorism to the maximum extent possible. The OSCE promotes a multidimensional and multi-stakeholder approach to countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism. The organization also facilitates the exchange of good practices and lessons learned. We focus on specific issues such as the role of civil society in countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism; gender and terrorism prevention; community policing and terrorism prevention. So far, we have organized nine national, subregional and regional experts’ meetings that addressed those unique issues while drawing on the OSCE’s multidimensional expertise and its wide-ranging contacts. We are also currently developing, with our Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, a guidebook to provide policy makers, senior police professionals and community leaders with guidance on how to leverage community policing as part of an effective, multidisciplinary and human rights-compliant approach to preventing terrorism. We are particularly proud to report that the OSCE has been very active with regard to the growing importance of the Internet, which is an area that is as well-addressed in the United Nations Strategy. The Internet can be a key strategic device and tactical facilitator for terrorists. Terrorists go online to identify, recruit and train new members, collect and transfer funds, organize attacks and incite violence. Building on two Ministerial Council decisions related to countering terrorists’ use of the Internet, the OSCE identifies emerging trends and potential countermeasures by facilitating the exchange of information and good practices between participating States, the private and public sector, as well as civil society. The comparative advantage of the OSCE’s efforts related to terrorists’ use of the Internet is that they are embedded within the organization’s broader efforts to promote a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. It allows looking at a specific perpetrator group in a cross-dimensional and integrated way that recognizes the interlinkages of cyberthreats and perpetrators and stresses the need for human rights-compliant responses. In the last area, the OSCE has developed a comprehensive programme on travel document security, which is a cross-cutting programme related to terrorism, policing and border management. The programme has been recognized as a best practice programme of a regional organization by the International Civil Aviation Organization and has helped to serve as a model for other regional organizations. The 50 capacity-building activities in 18 countries organized so far, and supported by technical assistance programmes, have brought about tangible results. This is my third, and final, key point. Our travel document security programme perfectly illustrates how the OSCE’s activities related to action against terrorism have not only positive impacts on countering terrorism, but also in reducing other transnational threats such as organized crime or trafficking. In conclusion, the OSCE builds consensus and political support among its participating States in order to take comprehensive and effective anti-terrorism action. The organization contributes to building State capacity to implement and comply with international instruments and standards. In addition, the OSCE supports efforts by other international and regional organizations, provides a platform for discussions among its participating States, and promotes security within a framework based on human rights and the rule of law. To reiterate my three main points, first, our new Transnational Threats Department places the OSCE in a position to be States’ closest partner in effectively developing and integrating United Nations strategies among at least 72 nations. Secondly, our 16 field missions can draw on all those assets and can take up United Nations or other programmes and provide a platform for sustainable follow-through by partners that are providing resources. Thirdly, our successes show that the OSCE’s activities related to action against terrorism have not only positive impacts on countering terrorism, but also in reducing other transnational threats such as organized crime and trafficking. The OSCE appreciates the Assembly’s time and looks forward to building on those three main areas with all the partners in the Hall.

We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item. (spoke in Arabic) We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/66/L.53, entitled “The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt the draft resolution?

I shall now give the floor to speakers who wish to speak in exercise of the right of reply. May I remind members that statements in the exercise of the right of reply are limited to 10 minutes for the first intervention and to 5 minutes for the second, and should be made by delegations from their seats.

It is most unfortunate that certain delegations continue today to exploit this important debate in an outrageous and politicized manner. We are repelled by the remarks made earlier by the representative of Tunisia. The words and images used to describe my country bring to mind the blood libels against Jews from a much darker age. His comments are shameful and have no place in the Hall. It is also astounding to hear a lecture on human rights from a beacon of human rights such as Saudi Arabia. Indeed, a representative of a country that discriminates against women and brutally represses the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, where homosexual conduct is still punishable by death, flogging, stoning, imprisonment or all of the above, should heed the words of an ancient proverb: those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

In recalling the terrorist practices inflicted for decades by the State of Israel on the Palestinian people, my delegation invented nothing. We merely recalled and underscored a truth known to all that has been recorded in the annals of the Organization. The representative of Israel represents her country as a victim, when it is the aggressor. She forgets that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land is a flagrant violation of international law, and that the very presence of Israeli forces on that territory in fact qualifies as an act of terrorism. The State of Israel resorts to State terrorism. My own country was a victim of that in October 1985, at the cost of the lives of 68 people, 18 Tunisians and 50 Palestinians. The most serious point of all is that State terrorism such as that practised by Israel does not even distinguish between its friends and those whom the State of Israel defines as enemies. I shall not cite examples; the Google search engine can do that. Moreover, while I do not want to provoke a polemic about this, the representative of Israel stated yesterday was that mosques were in fact nests of terrorism. I think that Israel is in no position to make such an unfounded assertion. For us, Israel is practising State terrorism, which my country vigorously condemns and which the international community should also condemn as firmly as possible.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 118?

I should now like to draw the attention of the General Assembly to document A/66/862, which contains a solemn appeal in connection with the observance of the Olympic Truce. I shall now read out my solemn appeal. “The ancient Greek tradition of the ekecheiria, or ‘Olympic Truce’, born in the eighth century B.C., serves as a hallowed principle of the Olympic Games. In 1992, the International Olympic Committee renewed this tradition by calling upon all nations to observe the Truce. “Through its resolution 48/11 of 25 October 1993, the General Assembly urged Member States to observe the Olympic Truce from the seventh day before the opening to the seventh day following the closing of each Olympic Games. This appeal was renewed in the Millennium Declaration. “In the 2005 World Summit Outcome, our leaders emphasized that ‘sport can foster peace and development’ and encouraged the General Assembly to foster a dialogue and agreed proposals for a plan of action on sport and development. “On 3 November 2005, the General Assembly held a plenary debate on the agenda item entitled ‘Sport for peace and development’ and also adopted, with universal support, resolution 60/8, entitled ‘Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal’, deciding to consider this item every two years in advance of each Summer and Winter Olympic Games. “To this end, on 17 October 2011, the General Assembly adopted resolution 66/5. In that resolution, the Assembly urged Member States to observe, within the framework of the Charter of the United Nations, the Olympic Truce, individually and collectively, throughout the period beginning with the start of the Games of the XXX Olympiad, on 27 July, and ending with the close of the XIV Paralympic Games, on 9 September, the vision of which is to inspire lasting change. “The Olympic movement aspires to contribute to a peaceful future for all humankind through the educational value of sport. The Games will bring together athletes from all parts of the world in the greatest of international sports events as a means to promote peace, mutual understanding and goodwill among nations and peoples — goals that are also part of the founding values of the United Nations. “As an expression of these common objectives, the International Olympic Committee has decided to fly the United Nations flag at Olympic Park. The United Nations system and the International Olympic Committee have strengthened their mutual cooperation and support through joint endeavours in fields such as poverty alleviation, human and economic development, humanitarian assistance, health promotion and HIV/AIDS prevention, child and youth education, gender equality, peacebuilding and sustainable development. “I welcome the leadership of Olympic and Paralympic athletes in promoting peace and human understanding through sport and the Olympic ideal, and the commitment made by various States Members of the United Nations to developing national and international programmes that promote peace and conflict resolution and the Olympic and Paralympic values through sport and culture, education and sustainable development. “As President of the General Assembly at its sixty-sixth session, I solemnly appeal to all Member States to demonstrate their commitment to the Olympic Truce for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games, and to undertake concrete actions at the local, national, regional and world levels to promote and strengthen a culture of peace and harmony based on the spirit of the Truce. Referring to the original tradition of the Olympic Truce practiced in ancient times, as described in resolution 66/5, I also call upon all warring parties to current armed conflicts around the world to boldly agree to true mutual ceasefires for the duration of the Olympic Truce, thus providing an opportunity to settle disputes peacefully.” May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of that solemn appeal in connection with the observance of the Olympic Truce?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 11?