A/68/PV.97 General Assembly

I know we are competing with the Netherlands- Spain football game, but I commend the great sacrifice that all of us in this Hall are making under difficult circumstances and welcome everyone here to a game of a different kind. I would like to thank Ambassador Halit Çevik, the Permanent Representative of Turkey, and his team for facilitating the work on the fourth biennial review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. I would also like to to express my deep regret for the terrible events that have occurred recently in Iraq, including the forced entry into and kidnapping of hostages from the Turkish Consulate, including families and many civilians who were working there, as well as the incidents in power plants and other acts of terrorism. We sincerely hope that the hostages will be able to return safely to their countries and families as soon as possible. Saudi Arabia also deplores the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan that resulted in more than 30 deaths as well as large numbers of injured. These tragic events should increase our unity in the fight against international terrorism. My country supports the principles outlined by the Permanent Representative of Egypt in his statement delivered on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (see A/68/PV.94). We believe that terrorism is one of the most dangerous challenges facing us today, and that combating it is no longer a national issue but one for the entire international community. While my country has suffered from terrorism, it has also taken many measures that are essential to overcoming this scourge. Nationally, regionally and internationally, we have examined and implemented the relevant resolutions and decisions of international law aimed at preventing the financing of terrorist attacks and protecting those who perpetrate them. We have responded to every international entity’s calls to combat terrorism, implemented all the resolutions designed to achieve that end and acceded to every terrorism-related convention. In order to fight this scourge, accession to those conventions must be accompanied by genuine action. The report of the Secretary-General on United Nations activities in implementing the Strategy (A/68/841) touches on many important issues, especially in paragraphs 10 to 19, which depict a phenomenon that has continued to grow despite all our efforts. The most dangerous of these remain individual terrorists, and foreign fighters who are well organized could also be added to this list. That is why my country has spearheaded efforts to address this issue from a legal perspective and to implement measures to punish those who travel to other countries to participate in terrorist attacks in whatever region, without forgetting those who incite such acts, even if they are far from the countries where they take place. The Saudi authorities have undertaken many anti-terrorism measures. The Mohammed bin Nayef Centre for Counseling and Care focuses on providing information countering extremist ideologies, an example that could be replicated in other countries. This is an issue that should be dealt with holistically and not just from a security perspective. It can help us to respond to the need to respect human rights at the international and regional level. My country is working in every international forum, and especially through its chairmanship of the Advisory Board of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre, in support of which we have pledged $100 million in addition to the $10 million originally promised. We are convinced of the increasing importance of the Centre’s role in the United Nations system. It has been welcomed by many countries and is beginning to come into its own in strengthening capacities for combating terrorism. The Advisory Board offers the political support and advice countries need in order to meet the goals outlined. We therefore call on all States to support the Centre, not only financially but also through human resources, training and by providing the means to enable it to serve every country in the world. My country has supported many international initiatives, such as those of the Global Counterterrorism Forum, of which we are a member and to whose efforts we contribute. We commend other United Nations efforts, such as those of the subsidiary committees of the Security Council, in combating terrorism, including the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), and others. Ms. Kimberly Prost, the Ombudsperson, plays a very significant role in this area, and, as we have seen recently, it is vital that the Ombudsperson’s role as mediator become a permanent position. The regrettable events that we saw last year and the tragedies we have seen recently clearly show that concentrating on a security-based solution, without taking other dimensions into account, will not solve the problem of terrorism. On the contrary, the phenomenon could seem to be vanquished but then reappear later with greater reach. We must combat terrorism in a comprehensive manner. In that regard, I would refer to one human rights report that states that the international community must be certain that it is not creating more dangerous terrorists than those already being combated. The rule of law, development, education, dialogue and combating occupation, as the most effective tools for rooting out terrorism, are therefore of paramount importance. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has condemned terrorism. It has also insisted on the importance of distinguishing between terrorism and the right of peoples to self-determination and their fight for sovereignty and against foreign occupation. Terrorism, no matter what form or manifestation it takes, including State-sponsored terrorism against unarmed innocents, is to be condemned. Many United Nations resolutions have noted that reality. There is a clear distinction between terrorism, which is a criminal act and one of the illegitimate faces of war, on the one hand, and the fight against occupation and foreign domination, on the other. The latter is a legitimate fight based on the right of peoples to self-determination  — a right that is enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law and the principles contained therein. Today, more than ever, we need to agree upon a definition of terrorism. We must take serious measures to adopt a universal convention to combat terrorism, coordinate and unify the efforts of the United Nations, and bring together those entities that work to combat terrorism to optimize their use of financial resources and to protect innocent civilians. We must not forget that the worst form of terrorism is when States act against their own citizens and commit war crimes, acts of humiliation and other offenses against their people in order to instil fear in them. The use of barrel bombs, toxic gas and chemical weapons against civilians is a form of terrorism practised by a State in violation of international commitments and counter-terrorism conventions. Such acts of aggression continue to this day. Those criminal activities have spawned the ever-widening proliferation and expansion of enclaves for terrorists and mercenaries. My delegation has insisted more than once on the seriousness of that major cause of terrorism; it is perhaps the main cause of the proliferation of terrorism, not just in our region, but in the entire world.

Allow me to take the floor in this important debate on the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. At the outset, we would like to thank the Secretary-General for the excellent report submitted for our consideration (A/68/841). I would also like to thank the Permanent Representative of Turkey for successfully facilitating the consultations on draft resolution A/68/L.50, which will be adopted at the end of our deliberations. Cameroon reiterates its vigorous condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, whether it be the taking of hostages, acts of piracy or attacks on persons or property. We note with profound concern that terrorism continues to seriously threaten international peace and security. To wage a substantial and effective fight against terrorism and transborder crime, Cameroon believes that the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy should be implemented in a consensual, integrated and balanced manner. It is important that the Charter of the United Nations and international law be respected, in particular the principles of national sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of States. Cameroon is firmly committed to the fight against the scourge through national measures and regional and international cooperation. In that context, our President, Mr. Paul Biya, recently played an active role in the Paris summit on security in Nigeria on 17 May, during which he solemnly declared war against the Boko Haram sect, which is characterized by its incitement to terrorism motivated by extremism and intolerance. Our Government has acted with great efficiency and firmness for the release of French, Italian and Canadian hostages taken by Boko Haram in the north of our country. We have taken measures and joined forces with neighbouring countries, including Nigeria, and the international community to combat that terrorist sect. Further, our country was represented yesterday, 12 June, at another high-level summit on security in Nigeria, held in London. Cameroon hosted the fifty- ninth regular session of the Council of Ministers of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, held 5 December 2013 in Yaoundé, on the stakes, challenges and opportunities involved in cross-border management. In the fight against piracy and in favour of maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea, Cameroon was chosen to be the home of the Gulf of Guinea Inter-Regional Coordination Centre, created at a summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States, the Economic Community of Central African States and the Gulf of Guinea Commission in June 2013 in Yaoundé, which will become operational very soon. I would underline that during that meeting the Heads of State and Government adopted important resolutions on the strategy for fighting terrorism, piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea, namely, a political declaration, a memorandum of understanding and a code of conduct. Cameroon emphasizes how important it is for the Counter-Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate, as well as other partners, to help Member States, upon their request, with a view to fighting terrorism in an efficient manner.

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 fourth time that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has been given an opportunity to present its efforts in supporting the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in this forum. The invitation to participate in the General Assembly’s biennial review is yet another confirmation of the importance and depth of the partnership between our two organizations. More than that, the OSCE’s presence today is evidence that regional organizations maintain a well-defined role and a well-received mandate in supporting their participating States in activities to translate the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism into action. At the outset, let me reiterate the message that I conveyed to the General Assembly almost two years ago (see A/66/PV.120) that the OSCE Transnational Threats Department remains committed to and a reliable partner in working on the integration of the programmatic priorities that support the process of implementing the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Strategy among our 57 participating States and 11 partners for cooperation. Although the primary obligation rests with States, we have every reason to believe that the variety of OSCE expertise and the wide scope of its capacity-building on anti-terrorism, border security, cyber security, human rights, policing and many other areas significantly contribute to the success of the global counter-terrorism efforts at the regional level. To make those efforts more efficient, systematic and sustainable, following the 2012 United Nations review, the OSCE participating States adopted the OSCE Consolidated Framework for the Fight against Terrorism at the end of 2012 in Dublin. That unique document clearly highlights the operational principles and identifies the strategic focus of future OSCE counter-terrorism activities. Drawing on the Consolidated Framework’s priorities in support of the United Nations, our activities have been organized to promote the implementation of the international legal framework against terrorism, to strengthen travel document security, to counter the violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism, to counter the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes and to help build public-private partnerships. Moreover, the framework provides us the vision to consider the new and emerging trends that we have undertaken this year with the Swiss chairmanship of the OSCE. The OSCE participating States have committed to placing particular emphasis on the strategic area of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms in the context of counter- terrorism measures — which will be further illustrated in these remarks  — through the work of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), consistent with and in support of pillar IV of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, in embodying the commitment to measures to ensure respect for human rights for all and the rule of law as the fundamental basis of the fight against terrorism. Perhaps most importantly, the Consolidated Framework for the Fight against Terrorism highlights the need to further coordinate our efforts internally and to cooperate externally with the relevant stakeholders to counter terrorism. Internally, our Transnational Threats Department acts as the focal point of coordination in the secretariat to ensure all elements of our strategy are included. Externally, the OSCE pays particular attention to cooperation with the stakeholders of the international community, recognizing the leading role of the United Nations. In other words, we value our close relationship with the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) and its associated entities, as well as today’s opportunity to highlight areas where we see even greater collaboration. The essence of the effective support and tailored assistance offered by the OSCE to its participating States lies in the combination of actions by the OSCE secretariat, its institutions, such as ODIHR, and the 16 field operations that serve as an ear to the ground, aimed at facilitating communication and strengthening cooperation with the host countries on the strategic priorities identified by the Consolidated Framework. Some examples are the following. The OSCE has successfully supported its participating States in their implementation of the universal anti-terrorism instruments, of which there are currently 19. We have a strategic partnership and joint action plan with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to ensure that our support is coordinated and complementary. The UNODC Terrorism Prevention Branch and our experts share many ideas and activities throughout the OSCE region. The high ratification rate allows the OSCE to be one of the first organizations to focus on streamlining and reinforcing preventive measures that are related to the international legal framework against terrorism but not specified in it. Such efforts focus on, for example, promoting cooperation and strengthening the control mechanisms of legally used explosives and its precursors and facilitating the exchange of information at an early stage so as to counter preparatory acts of terrorism. As the lead on anti-terrorism issues within the OSCE, I would like to share significant activities that are in line with the four pillars of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, as outlined in the report of the Secretary-General, contained in document A/68/841 of 14 April, and consistent with other elements of the CTITF matrix of counter-terrorism projects and activities. Cooperation with the United Nations and the participation of the various other experts at the 2014 annual OSCE-wide Counter-Terrorism Conference, organized recently in Interlaken, Switzerland, under the Swiss OSCE chairmanship, are a good practical example of sharing information and experience. Such OSCE conferences have become an important annual cross-dimensional discussion forum on current counter- terrorism issues and have benefited from the close OSCE-United Nations cooperation with the CTITF. They have included remarks by the Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and sessions supported by national experts, as well as partners, such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the European Union (EU), the Council of Europe and INTERPOL. Summarizing the results of the debates, the Swiss chairmanship presented its conclusions. The specific recommendations focused on the financing of terrorism, namely, kidnapping for ransom; ensuring legality, transparency and accountability in counter-terrorism; and responding to the phenomenon of individuals taking part in violent hostilities within or outside the OSCE area, that is, foreign fighters. We expect to work closely with our United Nations colleagues on the next steps, especially in the light of the United Nations efforts in all those areas. Furthermore, one of the areas also highlighted in Interlaken and elsewhere in the OSCE’s work is protecting the public from terrorism as a major, highly scrutinized and challenging task that requires a more systematic approach. That is why, in the field of countering the violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism, we have launched, jointly with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Transnational Threats Department’s Strategic Police Matters Unit, a guidebook entitled Preventing Terrorism and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism: a Community Policing Approach. It is primarily intended for policymakers and senior police professionals but may also be useful to civil society groups with an interest in such issues, in particular community leaders. We are in close contact with CTED on possible ways to promote that approach. Another initiative that we are pursuing jointly with the Global Counterterrorism Forum is to advance the role of women in countering the violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism. Last month, we held a workshop in Istanbul with civil society stakeholders to identify good practices and lessons learned in supporting their efforts to empower women to contribute in different capacities. We will hold a follow-up workshop for Government experts in Vienna in October. On the basis of both those events, we expect the Global Counterterrorism Forum to draft a good policy practice document on gender mainstreaming in countering violent extremism. We see that initiative as supporting the spirit of United Nations Security Council resolution 2129 (2013), which reaffirms the Council’s intention to increase its attention to women, peace and security issues in all relevant thematic areas of work on its agenda, including threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. Besides the joint endeavour between the OSCE and the Global Counterterrorism Forum I mentioned earlier, strengthening the rule of law compliant criminal justice responses is another area of such collaboration. In that regard, the OSCE and Global Counterterrorism Forum plan to organize three national workshops in South-East Europe and Central Asia intended for criminal justice practitioners. In order to ensure a coherent approach, Member States can rest assured that the training workshops will be closely coordinated with other relevant international organizations. A first contact on such training has already been established with CTED. Besides the aforementioned programmatic work, since 2012 the OSCE has been invited to take part in the Global Counterterrorism Forum’s Working Groups on Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law and on Countering Violent Extremism, due to their relevance to the work of the OSCE in the field of countering terrorism. Next, in the field of travel document security, let me also mention that the OSCE has continued to assist its participating States throughout the OSCE region in preventing terrorist movements across borders while strengthening border management. Key to these efforts is the fact that the documents, related issuing processes and border inspection tools meet international standards and specifications as set out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Cooperation between OSCE and ICAO is strong, and both organizations work together on various capacity-building activities. It is worth noting that OSCE travel document security activities complement United Nations efforts focusing on the implementation of the Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005). We are also supporting relevant United Nations structures with planning regional counter-terrorism activities related to border control and security in Central Asia. Over the past several years, cybersecurity has emerged as an increasing concern to OSCE participating States. In the field of countering the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes, we organized, from 2012 to 2013, four online expert forum discussions to stimulate information exchange on the latest trends and debates related to terrorist use of the Internet. In addition, we have in parallel facilitated and organized a series of national seminars, which have aimed to facilitate discussions among the public, authorities, experts and civil society at the national level for promoting a comprehensive understanding of the threat. Since 2005, we have regularly coordinated with the CTITF, CTED and UNODC in those efforts, and we stand ready to continue and, if possible, deepen that cooperation with United Nations counterparts in the area of cybersecurity. Importantly, the OSCE recognizes that security goes beyond political and military issues and fully encompasses the security of the individual human being. The OSCE regards the respect for human rights and the rule of law as an integral element of security. We will not succeed in combating and ultimately overcoming terrorism if the means to do so are not in conformity with human rights standards. ODIHR, as mentioned earlier, assists OSCE participating States in strengthening the implementation of their human rights obligations and commitments through monitoring and capacity-building activities. In particular, through its Human Rights and Anti-Terrorism Programme, ODIHR, as mentioned earlier, assists OSCE participating States in strengthening the implementation of their human rights obligations and commitments through monitoring and capacity- building activities. In particular through its human rights and anti-terrorism programme, ODIHR assists participating States in developing and implementing human rights-compliant anti-terrorism policies and practices. Some specific examples in support of pillar IV of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy include the development of training curricula for police officers on countering terrorism and protecting human rights, which aims to adopt an operational approach linking the analysis of potential human rights concerns with the daily work and actions of the police involved in counter-terrorism activities; producing, in collaboration with the Strategic Police Matters Unit, a practical manual for law enforcement officers on human rights in counter-terrorism investigations; training senior border officials on the protection of human rights when countering terrorism at borders, in collaboration with the OSCE Border Management Staff College in Dushanbe; issuing a legal opinion at the request of the Government of Tunisia on Tunisian anti-terrorism legislation in December 2013, with recommendations aimed at enhancing compliance with international human rights standards; and lastly, conducting a human rights assessment of the situation of detainees at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. That is in line with ODIHR’s objective to support participating States in meeting their commitments to respect human rights in the fight against terrorism. I would now like to highlight a few more examples of other multidimensional approaches. We have produced a good-practices guide on non-nuclear critical energy infrastructure protection from terrorist attacks. That guidebook has been developed with the involvement of a wide range of Government and private business experts from OSCE participating States and international organizations such as the European Union and NATO. We were pleased to see that there was a side-event on infrastructure earlier this week by the United Nations. Additionally, together with our Office of the Coordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, we are active in the field of suppressing money laundering and the financing of terrorism. We have a project that will include civil society and CTED on non-profit organizations, which is soon to hold its first event. Another independent institution of the OSCE is the Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media, which plays an active role in assisting participating States in recognizing the need for free media and free expression as an essential counterbalance to terrorist activity. I would like to conclude by making three points. First, I would like to restate my appreciation for the organization of this highly important review and for giving regional organizations such as the OSCE an opportunity to speak and to update Member States on what we are doing in support of the global efforts of the United Nations in preventing and countering terrorism. I strongly believe that such opportunities to take pause and review progress can only be seen as beneficial and encouraging further joint efforts. Secondly, I want to reiterate that the OSCE stands ready to remain a substantive contributor for enhancing capacity at the national, subregional and regional levels to prevent and combat terrorism and for providing a framework for multi-stakeholder dialogue, awareness- raising, exchange of expertise and networking while implementing the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy in the OSCE area. To that end, the OSCE would welcome opportunities to participate in relevant CTITF working groups as appropriate and receive regular updates on the activities undertaken by the different entities of the CTITF to thus ensure continued coordination and collaboration. Thirdly and last, I trust that in two years, during the fifth biennial review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, we will be even more confident and efficient in transforming a number of the positive words expressed today into action making our world significantly safer and more secure.

In accordance with resolution 44/6, I now give the floor to the observer of the Council of Europe.

Allow me to join, on behalf of the Council of Europe, all those who have condemned the terrorist act in Mosul and expressed their solidarity with Turkey and the Turkish people. It is an honour for me to address the Assembly and to be able to reiterate our commitment to support the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the landmark holistic, coherent and universal framework for international action against terrorism. In 1945, the peoples of the United Nations determined to reaffirm their faith in fundamental human rights, the dignity and worth of the human person and the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small. Four years later, in 1949 the Council of Europe was set up to safeguard respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The dream of our founding fathers was of one continent sharing the same spiritual and moral values, which are the common heritage of the European peoples and the true source of individual freedom, political liberty and the rule of law — principles that form the basis of all genuine democracy. Terrorism is the antithesis of those values. Back in 1978, the Council of Europe was the first international organization to determine that the prevention and suppression of terrorism are indispensable to the maintenance of the democratic structure of Member States. From the outset, the Council of Europe treated terrorist acts as serious  — but nevertheless common  — crimes. Historically, the first counter- terrorism measures agreed by the Council of Europe sought to limit the offences that could be seen as political and therefore be used as a reason to refuse to extradite or prosecute terrorists. Yesterday, the representative of Turkey (see A/68/PV.94) underlined the importance of the universal principle of aut dedere aut judicare, or “extradite or prosecute” . The 2005 Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism broadened the scope of the criminal offences that could lead to terrorism. The review mechanism for the Convention is now functioning, the implementation of article 6 on recruitment for terrorism is ready, and the assessment of article 7 on training for terrorism is under way. I am grateful to the representative of the Russian Federation for his comments on the potential of the Convention to address new terrorism challenges (see A/68/PV.94). To promote international cooperation in criminal matters, the Convention modified the existing Council of Europe extradition and mutual assistance arrangements, notably by excluding the political exception clause. To date, there are some 33 such instruments and amending protocols and we have a dedicated expert body working to facilitate their practical implementation. The Council of Europe is active in countering the financing of terrorism, where we have an advanced convention and an efficient regional Financial Action Task Force-style monitoring body, the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL). That is the convention to which Georgia recently became party, as mentioned by the representative of Georgia (see A/68/PV.95) in his intervention. Human beings should not fall victim to terrorism. Human rights should not fall victim to terrorism. Terrorists seek to promote a political agenda not through the democratic process, but through spreading fear. Therefore, to neglect democratic values in favour of expediency in suppressing terrorism would mean to give the victory to the terrorists. It is also likely to produce more terrorist recruits than it may stop. The response to terrorism must be respectful of the human rights of all those involved and must remain at all times strictly within the boundaries of the rule of law. The 2002 Council of Europe Guidelines on Human Rights and the Fight against Terrorism introduced measures looking far ahead into the future, such as those on the prohibition of arbitrariness, on the need of lawfulness in anti-terrorist measures, on the absolute prohibition of torture or on the rules for the collection and processing of personal data by any competent authority in the field of State security. The European Court of Human Rights has developed a body of case law relevant to terrorism. The main tenet of its jurisprudence is that strong national security and protection of the population against terrorism are fully compatible with maintaining the democratic safeguards and respect for human rights. The Council of Europe Committee of Experts on Terrorism (CODEXTER) is preparing a database of the relevant case law of the Court, which will be available in the near future. In a broader sense, everything that the Council of Europe does to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law addresses the conditions conducive to terrorism. The Council of Europe has endorsed, at the highest level of Heads of State and Government, intercultural and interreligious dialogue as a means to ensure that the diversity of European cultures is a source of mutual enrichment, not of conflict. The 2005 Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the Council of Europe also committed to a new dialogue between Europe and its neighbouring regions — the southern Mediterranean, the Middle East and Central Asia. The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance is a human rights body of the Council of Europe, composed of independent experts, which monitors the problems of racism, xenophobia, intolerance and discrimination, prepares reports and issues recommendations to member States. The Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities has a monitoring system under which an advisory committee analyses legislation and practice and provides country-specific opinions and recommendations to improve minority protection. The Council of Europe has adopted a Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education. The Charter reflects the growing awareness that education is the first line of defence against the rise of intolerance, which can lead to violence, extremism and terrorism. A 2011 Council of Europe report, entitled “Living together: Combining diversity and freedom in the 21st-century Europe”, concluded that “a better common life in twenty-first-century Europe depends relatively little on compulsion, and much more on convincing people of different cultures and beliefs that they actually need to live together, and on finding ways to make that easier”. Over the years, the Council of Europe has developed its comprehensive triad of setting legal standards based on common values, monitoring how they are put into practice and cooperating with member States to assist them in building their capacity to honour their commitment to respect and fulfil the standards. As a regional organization with 47 member States, the Council of Europe contributes to the realization at the regional level of the pillars of the Global Strategy. We enjoy particularly close cooperation with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which includes an annual coordination meeting on terrorism issues, as well as with the European Union, where we have an over-arching memorandum of understanding. We regularly contribute, within our geographical and resource constraints, to the activities of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). The representative of Serbia, who spoke earlier today (see A/68/PV.96), mentioned a CTED visit to his country. On that occasion, two of my colleagues  — one from the Terrorism Division and the other from MONEYVAL  — participated in the CTED delegation. The visit drew heavily on the results of an ongoing project against money-laundering and terrorist financing that we had at that time in Serbia, which was a €2.2 million, three-year-long Council of Europe-European Union joint project. I believe that is a good example of how international organizations and actors can join forces and work hand in hand towards the same goal. We, of course, cooperate with the Counter- Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), and I would like to particularly commend CTITF for its contribution to the report (A/68/841) of the Secretary- General and in particular for the matrix of projects and events. The Council of Europe is rapidly developing its cooperation with the new, dynamic and very productive platform: the Global Counterterrorism Forum. I would like to highlight a good practice by the Forum, namely, sending out to its members and partners regular updates, including information on upcoming activities. In that cooperation, the Council of Europe shares with others our experience and lessons learned and we learn from others. To give one example, in May 2013, the Council of Europe hosted in Strasbourg a conference on special investigation techniques, co-organized with CTED, OSCE and the League of Arab States. The conference gave an impetus to CODEXTER, which is now undertaking to review a Council of Europe recommendation on that topic in order to take into account the latest technological developments. The Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe, at their Summit in Warsaw, confirmed forcefully “that terrorism is unjustifiable under any circumstances and in any culture”. Today, the paragraph 1 of the very substantial text (A/68/L.50) that will shortly become a General Assembly resolution, condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes. Those words were probably the most often reiterated text of the draft resolution in statements made yesterday and today from this rostrum. I would like to conclude by echoing the words of the representative of China: let us join hands and fight this scourge.

I should now like to consult members with a view to giving the floor to Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. If there is no objection, may I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly, without setting a precedent, to invite Mr. Rifai, to make a statement at this meeting?

I now give the floor to Mr. Rifai.

I am honoured to have the opportunity, on the behalf of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, to address the Assembly as it meets for the fourth biennial review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Travel and tourism have become today a central global phenomenon. In 2013, 1.087 billion international tourists travelled the world in one year, representing one in seven of the world’s population making an international trip every year. That is in addition to the 6 billion tourist trips registered domestically within national boundaries every year. By 2030, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) forecasts that 1.8 billion international tourists will travel in a single year. That is indeed very far from the mere 25 million people who travelled internationally back in 1950. In that connection, today the travel and tourism industry creates one in every 11 jobs all over the world, generating $1.4 trillion in direct export earnings and representing 9 per cent of the world’s total gross domestic product and 30 per cent of its total export of services. This is indeed the age of travel, but that is precisely why it is important for me to be here in this Hall this afternoon. The infrastructure of travel and tourism today, both human and physical, is a very vulnerable and tempting target for terrorist attacks, and the terrorists know that very well. They know they can inflict economic and political damage by attacking travellers and tourism infrastructure. We have been reminded of that only recently by examples such as the airport in Karachi or the mall in Nairobi, Kenya. It is therefore vital to focus ever more on travel security measures and strategies that protect both visitors and host communities. The UNWTO, as the United Nations specialized agency responsible for promoting sustainable and universally accessible tourism, is fully engaged in the international efforts aimed at maintaining tourism security. We are partnering with the United Nations system in order to respond effectively to Member States’ calls for travel security and the modernization of border management systems, facilities and institutions at the national, regional and international levels, since they are all critical to ensuring that people can continue to travel and to do so safely. The UNWTO is also a unique United Nations agency, encompassing as it does more than 400 non-governmental affiliate members from the tourism sector across various elements of the tourism value chain. That enables us to facilitate links with the relevant players in the private sector in order to better assess and mitigate risks related to tourism. Developing tourism responsibly means addressing security issues at a very early stage, not just from the perspective of resilience and sustainability but also, importantly, from that of care, responsibility and respect for human security and dignity. It is on that basis that the UNWTO has been working with the United Nations system, particularly the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), of which we are very much a member, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Civil Aviation Organization, among many other agencies. In that context, I would like to highlight a few points. First, while security is crucial to healthy and sustainable travel and the tourism sector, it has also become clear that tourism is a very important development pillar for many countries around the world, promoting economic growth, reducing poverty and creating millions of jobs. It is therefore very important to recognize the fact that while travel and tourism need security, it is also very important to preserve social and economic stability and the security associated with the economic growth that tourism brings. Secondly, security issues are often given as reasons for cumbersome immigration and border procedures, but very often the processes are simply not aligned with current travel flows and security concerns. Intelligent and state-of-the-art use of technology in order to facilitate friendly, smooth travel that is respectful of human rights and dignity can and must go hand in hand with effective, high-level security measures. Security and openness are not a zero-sum game. Thirdly, Member States have clearly indicated that tourism is often not properly addressed in national emergency plans, and most of the time is only tackled when an incident with major consequences actually occurs. In that regard, it is therefore important to adopt strategies that are proactive and preemptive, not reactive. Last but not least, joint efforts and actions at the regional and international level should be put in place in order to produce international standards, guidelines, manuals and best practices. The prospective work of the UNWTO with the CTC and the CTITF is a good example of such joint action. I sincerely hope that all of these issues will be taken into consideration in the next review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. I look forward greatly to the Assembly’s discussions, and I trust they will contribute significantly to the sustainable development of the tourism industry and many other growth-related sectors, and to their capacity to contribute to the post-2015 development agenda.

We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item. The Assembly will now proceed to consider draft resolution A/68/L.50, entitled “The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review”. I give the floor to the representative of Georgia to introduce an oral revision to the draft resolution.

I would first like to once again commend the Turkish delegation for its great efforts during the lengthy process of facilitating draft resolution A/68/L.50. After consulting with many delegations represented in this Hall, we have come to an understanding that the draft resolution would be improved by adding a reference to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. I would therefore like to propose a small amendment to paragraph 30, in which the wording would become the following: “Notes with appreciation the activities undertaken in the area of capacity-building by United Nations entities, including the Counter- Terrorism Implementation Task Force entities, inter alia, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, in coordination with other relevant international, regional and subregional organizations to assist Member States, upon their request, in implementing the Strategy, and encourages the Task Force to ensure focused delivery of capacity- building assistance, including in the framework of the Integrated Assistance for Countering Terrorism Initiative”. I hope this small amendment will meet with consent and that delegations will approve its inclusion in paragraph 30.

In accordance with rule 90 of the rules of procedure, the Assembly will first take a decision on the oral amendment submitted by the representative of Georgia. May I take it that the Assembly agrees to the adoption of the oral amendment?

The General Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/68/L.50, entitled “The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review”, as orally amended. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt the draft resolution?

On behalf of the President of the General Assembly, I should like to express my sincere thanks to Ambassador Halit Çevik of Turkey, who so ably and patiently conducted the discussions in the informal consultations and to all Member States for their excellent contribution to the successful coordination of resolution 68/276. I now call on those delegations wishing to make general statements.

My delegation has requested the floor to make a general statement following the adoption of resolution 68/276. Allow me at the outset to pay tribute to the Permanent Representative of Turkey and his efficient and able team for their tireless efforts during the process of informal consultations on resolution 68/276, entitled “The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review”, which was conducted in a transparent and open manner. My delegation participated actively and constructively in the process that led to the consensus on the resolution adopted by the General Assembly this afternoon. In connection with paragraph 26 of the resolution, my delegation would like to emphasize the importance of maintaining multilateral efforts in combating terrorism through international and regional cooperation, which contribute positively to the promotion of the efforts and initiatives undertaken at the national level. My delegation strongly rejects the unilateral practices of some States accusing others of sponsoring and supporting terrorism. Such unjustified practices, which are politically driven by narrow interests, jeopardize the collective wisdom and multilateral efforts in the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. My delegation calls on those States to refrain from such practices, which are inconsistent with international law and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. My delegation would like to reiterate its firm commitment to continuing to cooperate with the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

As the Assembly knows, on 14 January I was appointed by the President of the General Assembly to serve as facilitator for the consultations with Member States on the outcome of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy review. On 10 June, I presented the draft resolution to the President of the General Assembly. On this occasion, I would like to thank President Ashe for his confidence in me. Today, I welcome the adoption of resolution 68/276 on the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review. I would like to thank all my colleagues and representatives for their kind words addressed to me and my team during the review. I also express our sincere gratitude for the expressions of solidarity on the occasion of the abduction of our collegaues in Mosul. Following my appointment, during the period of almost six months in my capacity as facilitator, I paid visits to many colleagues and received their views on and support for the process. I held regional group meetings, as well as meetings with the participation of all Member States. During the process, transparency and inclusiveness were my guiding principles. From the very beginning, I tried to reach out to each and every delegation. I believe that each delegation had an equal opportunity to make their voice heard during the negotiations. The resolution reflects that understanding. We came a long way and, together, we achieved the outcome. I appreciate the spirit of cooperation displayed among colleagues during the process. I believe that that is an essential asset in our work. In that regard, the cooperation shown during the negotiations in order to produce the resolution was exemplary. The resolution that we have just adopted is not a technical rollover. It is comprehensive and responds to the new trends and challenges of terrorism that we face. The consensus resolution is also a testament to the determination of Member States to eliminate terrorism. Once again, I would like to thank all my colleagues and delegates for their hard work and contribution to this process and for their cooperation.

I now call on those representatives who have requested to speak in exercise the right of reply. May I remind members that statements in exercise of the right of reply are limited to 10 minutes for the first intervention and to five minutes for the second intervention and should be made by delegations from their seats.

Russia repudiates the fabricated accusations of territorial occupation and terrorism addressed to it. It is entirely unacceptable when, under the flag of combating terrorism, as currently taking place in Ukraine, activities to suppress protests are implemented with external support and blessings from abroad, using force against the civilian population with the support of radical nationalists. This unacceptable form of violence will lead to a full-fledged civil war, and constitutes nothing less than a crime against the Ukrainian people. Careful study is required on the Ukrainian use of prohibited types of weapons. The accusation that Russia is participating in the escalation of tensions is untrue and unsubstantiated. Especially unacceptable are complaints that Russia has interfered in the situation in Ukraine by sending armed forces and weapons to the country. I will answer that with the words of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, who has stated that there are no Russian armed forces or instructors in south-eastern Ukraine. There are none and there will not be any; neither are we sending weapons there. In addition, we have recently taken steps to decrease the number of Russian armed forces in our own territory close to the Ukrainian border. On 7 June, the President of the Russian Federation ordered the federal border services of the Russian Federation to strengthen the protection of the border between Russia and the Ukraine in order to eliminate illegal border crossings, and that is being implemented. The same cannot be said for the Ukrainian side, which is not fulfilling its own commitments. On the night of 13 June, Ukrainian armoured vehicles and armed forces violated the State border of the Russian Federation in the Rostov region. We consider those actions by the Ukrainian side to be a violation of the basic provisions of international law and an illegal act that will not lead to a peaceful resolution of the armed conflict in south-eastern Ukraine. We call on Ukraine to end such acts of provocation, which are harming the process aimed at restarting Russian/Ukrainian dialogue. We do not hide our concern about the situation and the increase in violations of basic rights, including those of our citizens in Ukraine, whose interests are being violated in the most intolerable manner. On 2 May, in Odesa, ultranationalists burned and killed dozens of their own citizens, including the elderly, women and children, a fact concerning which the Ukrainian mass media has remained silent. We are supposed to consider that evil act as one of patriotism. Never will the international community agree to such a cynical description of a crime against humanity. All those who perpetrated those crimes and war crimes in contravention of other norms and humanitarian law in Ukraine must be brought to justice. Russia calls for an immediate end to the armed attacks and violence of the so-called anti-terrorist — but in fact punitive  — operation in eastern Ukraine, and calls on Ukraine to draw back its troops and move towards a full implementation of the Geneva declaration of 17 April and the road map developed by the current Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the President of the Swiss Confederation. We continue to expect those steps from the new Government in Ukraine. Russia is an unwavering foe of terrorism. We will never agree to such operations being launched against civilians in the fight against that scourge, or to the authority of the international community, including the United Nations, being manipulated for those ends. What the United Nations should do regarding the actions in Ukraine in order to end the violence and implement humanitarian tasks is, as stated by the representative of the Russian Federation in the Security Council, to consider how to combat the radicalization of social and political views that has led to violence and terrorism, among other things. First and foremost, we are speaking about the spread of extremism and terrorist ideologies under the banner of ultranationalism, neo-Nazism and fascism. That danger must be rooted out at the very source, immediately and effectively. Within the framework of those tasks, we must create a unified front like that which once defeated fascism. What is impermissible is to attempt to use Nazism and the extremists who believe in it to serve geopolitical ambitions. We have gone through that once before. We must all remember what that led to in the 1930s.

I thank you, Sir, for giving me the floor to speak in exercise of my right to reply to the comments of the representative of the Russian Federation. (spoke in Russian) It is truly unfortunate that my Russian colleagues were not able to react in an appropriate manner to the criticism and appeals addressed to you, Sir. That is understandable, however, given that nothing can justify Russia’s actions towards Ukraine. We offered our analysis of Russia’s actions in our statement, and I will not repeat myself here. We simply wish to inform delegations present in this Hall today that while the Russians claim to be carefully and fraternally keeping an eye on what is happening in eastern Ukraine, they have also set themselves up as arbiters of who is right and who is wrong and are supplying weapons, fighters, armoured vehicles and even tanks to those fighting us in the east of the country — the very actions that they say are being taken against the peaceful citizens of Ukraine. I would like to note the following. It does not matter how the Russian Federation describes the operation. The world is unfortunately already accustomed to the disinformation that Russia spreads through its television broadcasts. What is important is the goal of our operations, which is to put an end to the terrorist acts perpetrated by the groups in Donetsk and Luhansk in order to ensure that the residents of those regions of Ukraine can live in peace. If Russia believes that the peaceful population of those regions is using mines and anti-aircraft weapons, kidnapping people, even children, and shooting prisoners, then it will be very difficult for us to find anything to speak about with them. The Russians say there is no proof, but there is an enormous amount of proof. Only those who do not want to see or hear can repudiate such evidence. It is impermissible to lie, yet the Russians have tried to hide the facts from the entire international community. The General Assembly has already given its verdict on the activities of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, and the Security Council has often spoken against the Russian Federation’s acts in eastern Ukraine. We call upon the Russian Federation not to interfere. It is our task to fight terrorists on our soil. We are responsible for that task; we are responsible to our own people. As many speakers, including the representative of the Russian Federation, have said, double standards in combating terrorism are unacceptable. I would therefore call on him to prove to everyone that Russia’s words are consistent with its actions.

For the past 24 hours a search has been under way for three Israeli teenagers who are believed to have been taken hostage in an act of terrorism. The thoughts of the people of Israel are with the boys and their families, and we pray that they will return home safely. Israel holds the Palestinian Authority responsible for the well-being of the missing boys. As the ongoing victim of terrorist attacks, Israel cannot sit silently by and listen to other countries make baseless accusations even as they themselves harbour and sponsor terrorist groups. In particular, it took a great deal of audacity on the part of the Lebanese delegation to demonize my country given the countless human rights abuses taking place in Lebanon. Added to that audacity is the fact that the newly established Lebanese Government includes representatives of an internationally designed terrorist organization, Hizbullah. Before speaking against Israel in this Hall, I suggest that the Lebanese delegation take a look at the refugee camps throughout Lebanon, such as Ein el- Hilweh and Nahr al-Bared, where Palestinians are kept in some of the worst conditions in the region and are deprived of their rights. They are subject to violence, discrimination and economic and social oppression. Before its representative chooses to launch an attack against Israel, I advise the Lebanese Government first to address all the attacks launched by Hizbullah on innocent civilians in Syria.

We naturally fully repudiate the words and imaginative accusations flung against the Russian Federation. We would only like to exhort the representative of Ukraine not to mask the criminality of actions being taken against his own people by labeling them “combating terrorism”. Sooner or later he will have to face judgement for that, be it through the courts, before the international community and or when answering for his own honour.

I thank my colleague from the Russian delegation for his clear message. I just want to say that we stand ready to answer for everything that we are doing. It is difficult to commend the words of my colleagues in the delegation of the Russian Federation. It is always difficult to have a dialogue when your opponent does not hear you and does not want to hear you. I have nothing to add but once again urge the Russian Federation to leave us alone and let us deal with our future in peace.

May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 119?