A/72/PV.102 General Assembly

I would like to express our sincere appreciation to co-facilitators Ambassador Kai Sauer of Finland and Ambassador Sima Sami Bahous of Jordan for their tireless efforts and commendable leadership throughout the complex negotiation rounds to review the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. My delegation associates itself with the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries (see A/72/PV.101). Terrorism remains one of the most serious threats to peace and stability in the world today. No country is immune from these modern-day, non-traditional security challenges, and no country can deal with these threats alone. The tactic of terrorist attacks and the landscape of global terrorism are transforming over time. Consequently, our collective response against terrorism must address the numerous parallel and interlinked global terror networks. In that respect, the return and relocation of foreign terrorist fighters is becoming one of the most rapidly evolving threats to countries. Therefore, it is all the more crucial to take concerted multilateral measures to respond effectively to the emerging transnational and multifaceted nature of terrorism. Myanmar condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and violent extremism promoting terrorism. The current crisis in Rakhine was ignited by the unprovoked attacks of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), also known as Harakah Al-Yaqin. According to international intelligence sources, the group has been guided and supported by foreign terrorist fighters. The recent revelation of the massacre of 99 innocent ethnic Hindus committed by ARSA on the same day that the group attacked 30 police outposts has unmasked the true face of ARSA. The terror acts of ARSA continue today. On 9 May, a group of four to six ARSA terrorists entered one of the refugee camps in Balukhali and stabbed 46-year-old Mohamed Faisal Ulhaq to death. Recently, on 18 June, a community leader named Arifullah of the Balukhali 2 camp was also hacked to death. It was reported that Faisal Ulhaq was advocating for the return of internally displaced persons to Rakhine and that Arifullah had criticized ARSA to fellow displaced people in the camp. Our utmost concern is that, with the support of regional and international terrorist organizations, ARSA will become part of regional terrorism networks. Any support, including moral support for terrorists — wittingly or unwittingly — must be avoided. Therefore, I would like to stress the importance of monitoring ARSA activities in the region and their links with foreign terrorist fighters. In that regard, we would like to request of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and the Office of Counter-Terrorism to closely monitor ARSA activities at both the regional and the international levels. Myanmar welcomes the sixth review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The review process has provided a venue for Member States to reflect on and share their experiences in countering new terrorism phenomena across the four pillars of the Strategy. We support the full implementation of the Strategy through the United Nations system in a transparent, comprehensive and balanced manner. In conclusion, my delegation would like to affirm Myanmar’s full cooperation with and support for United Nations counter-terrorism agencies. We are also looking forward to the contributions of the Office of Counter-Terrorism and CTED to balanced and effective counter-terrorism activities and in providing assistance to countries in their national efforts to combat terrorism.

My delegation thanks Ambassadors Sima Sami Bahous of Jordan and Kai Sauer of Finland, as well as their teams, for leading the process of reviewing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Colombia emphatically rejects acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all of their forms and manifestations committed whenever, by whomever and regardless of their motivations, because they are criminal and unjustifiable. The adoption today of the measures identified in the sixth review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy bolsters the legitimacy of our efforts as an international community and the contribution of the General Assembly as a main organ of the United Nations. It is the obligation of Member States to implement the Global Strategy in a multidisciplinary, comprehensive manner that is balanced in its consideration of the four pillars. This sixth review of the Strategy has made progress in achieving the balanced implementation to which we have committed. Nevertheless, we must make even greater progress in prevention and in the promotion and safeguarding of human rights, along with differentiated gender measures for a more comprehensive framework for the prevention and restitution of victims. States have witnessed the emergence of new types of threats to international peace and security related to terrorism since the last review, in 2016. That is why we firmly back the Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, which has highlighted the need to move ahead with concerted action that goes beyond military and security measures to enforce the law and seeks to comprehensively solve problems related to development, good governance, human rights and international humanitarian law. Colombia also considers offering care to victims and guaranteeing their human rights to be a fundamental pillar for safeguarding and promoting human rights. Victims of terrorism must be heard, and States must have mechanisms for the protection and promotion of their rights and their recognition. We welcome the creation of the new United Nations Office of Counter- Terrorism, with a firm mandate to create policies and coordinate and support capacity-building of Member States, as well as the efforts of the Secretary-General to increase the coordination and coherence of the system, particularly the creation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact. Only through the strategic promotion of the coordination and coherence of counter-terrorist activities can we achieve more effective action. Colombia is a member of the Global Counterterrorism Forum and promotes the adoption, implementation and enforcement of the various international protocols on terrorism, as well as the resolutions of the Security Council, as effective mechanisms to prevent, sanction and eliminate terrorism through close cooperation. Colombia deems it vital to combat the financing of terrorist groups, which sometimes and in some regions creates a link between terrorist groups and groups with ties to organized crime. Such links are varied and have various manifestations, ranging from the mere coexistence of those illicit groups to their cooperation and convergence. The nexus is therefore complex, dynamic and context-dependent, which has implications for international, regional and national political and operational responses. The Organization and its Member States should continue to study and analyse how those links manifest themselves and how to combat them. Consequently, it is important to participate in the counter-terrorism efforts of international, regional and subregional organizations, the private sector and civil society. Finally, we must intensify international cooperation in areas such as national institution- and capacity-building, the creation and exchange of specialized knowledge and the sharing of experience and best practices, as well as the creation of effective mechanisms for exchanging information. My country has made great efforts to implement norms to combat terrorism, including the full enforcement of the applicable Security Council. resolutions Nevertheless, the fight against terrorism will not be entirely successful unless we reach a general agreement on international terrorism. Many years of debate have been devoted to reaching such an agreement, and the gravity of the phenomenon of international terrorism reqwires us to take definitive action, regardless of the difficulty of doing so. Reaching an agreement would allow us to complement existing instruments on the matter, address persisting loopholes and strengthen the binding international legal framework for the fight against this scourge.

I would like to thank the Ambassadors of Finland and Jordan for taking on the challenging task of co-facilitating these extremely difficult but important negotiations. Their efforts and those of their experts are much appreciated. I also want to thank the member States that have shown creativity and boldness while navigating different views and positions and bringing us to the goal line. I can think of no topic that is more timely or urgent than that of countering terrorism. Twelve years ago, when the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy was first adopted, most countries believed terrorism was a distant problem — one that afflicted certain nations in distant parts of the world. Today, we know better. We know countless families that have been devastated by suicide attacks in markets or subways by terrorists who plow trucks into sidewalks crowded with pedestrians and by radical extremists who open fire in a concert hall or take innocent people hostage in a supermarket. Terrorism is a plague that can strike any nation and any region, from Boston to Buenos Aires and from Berlin to Baghdad. In recent years, we have seen acts of terror grow in frequency, size, scope and sophistication, taking more and more innocent lives. That trend will not reverse itself. It is up to us — the international community — to formulate a strategy to counter this plague. Allow me to address a particularly significant and, indeed, unprecedented development in resolution 72/284. For the first time, a General Assembly resolution condemns the use of human shields, one of the most barbaric tactics utilized by terrorist organizations on a daily basis. In recent years, the international community has been forced to grapple with a changing paradigm in international warfare and a challenge that Israel has faced for decades  — the asymmetric warfare of terrorism. Much of international law is rooted in the assumption that armies battle armies and countries face off against countries. Today, however, that is less and less often the case. Terrorist organizations do not abide by rules, norms or laws. And although international law is intended to be a constructive tool to minimize the loss of lives, terrorists increasingly abuse it as a tool to maximize the taking of lives. And so we are forced to confront an enemy with no red lines and for whom nothing is off limits — an enemy that systematically and intentionally targets and attacks civilians; an enemy that stores weapons and launches rockets from within its own densely populated urban areas, including inside schools and hospitals; an enemy that hides behind civilians. Their calculation is as simple as it is cynical  — either civilian lives will be the fighters’ defence or civilian deaths will be their rallying cry. For that reason, today’s resolution is historic. For the first time, a General Assembly resolution includes a clear and strong condemnation of one of the most heinous tactics employed by non-State actors  — the exploitation of civilians and their use as human shields. The resolution clearly condemns the use of schools and hospitals for storing weapons and launching terror attacks  — tactics that are regularly used by terrorist organizations, including Hizbullah and Hamas. That important development is a crucial first step in the right direction. It is also worth noting that the resolution comes just weeks after another historic first in the General Assembly, when the plurality in the Hall voted to condemn Hamas for those exact crimes. The fact that the Assembly has today acknowledged the difficult reality that so many countries, including Israel, confront in fighting terror, is of great value. Terrorism spares no religious group, ethnicity or nationality. Every nation is at risk. That is why we must present a united front in the fight against terrorism. However, consensus cannot be our sole objective, especially when some seek to undermine our values and beliefs. That is why Israel has disassociated itself from the thirty-sixth preambular paragraph. Let me be clear. There is no rationale for terrorism. Unfortunately, that is exactly what some tried to do when they attempted to include new paragraphs in this resolution justifying terror if it is used for a particular political cause. That is unacceptable. We must never allow discrimination against the victims of terror from one particular country under the auspices of the United Nations. Fortunately, that cynical attempt was blocked, and we thank the Member States for rejecting it immediately. Israel stands committed to cooperating with the international community on this matter. The international community will prevail only if we can find the will and the willingness to bridge our political differences and work together to combat the common enemy of terror.

My delegation thanks the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly for their comprehensive statements, and we take note of the Secretary-General’s report (A/72/840). We take this opportunity to thank the Office of Counter Terrorism for its work. We are confident that the Office will help strengthen the capability of the United Nations system and enhance coordination and coherence across the 38 Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force entities in order to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Sri Lanka is committed to cooperating with the Office in its key functions and welcomes the focus on providing capacity-building assistance to Member States. Sri Lanka condemns terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism in all their forms and manifestations. It is in that context that the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy becomes essential as a rallying call to action. All acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. Though we have made progress in the implementation of the Counter-Terrorism Strategy since 2006, we have encountered many challenges as a result of the changing face of terrorism and violent extremism, not least of all due to the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters, the financing of terrorism, the rapid advancement of technology, porous borders and large movements of humanity due to violence. International networks with linkages to organized crime are a critical lifeline for terrorists and violent extremist groups. It is therefore imperative for all Member States to pool their resources and share intelligence, databases and expertise to counter that issue. Transnational organized crime is increasingly a part of the arsenal of terrorists and is directly related to financing of terrorism. As a country that once suffered under the yoke of terrorism for nearly 30 years and successfully eradicated that scourge from its shores in 2009, Sri Lanka is acutely aware of the need to share information, technology, databases and intelligence in combating terrorism. Information-sharing must take place not only at the international or cross-regional level but also among local institutions and other counter-terrorism mechanisms, including the private sector and civil society. Countering terrorism requires not only a whole-of-United Nations approach but also a whole-of- country approach. In two days, the United Nations will hold the first- ever high-level conference of heads of counter-terrorism agencies of Member States. It is our hope that it will be an opportunity for Member States to create networks and partnerships, and share information and strategies in order to strengthen cooperation, as is envisaged in the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. In that regard, it is important that media — especially with the rise in social media tools — help to disseminate the values that will foster a culture of peace and a forum for dialogue and understanding rather than a platform for hate and bigotry. We must actively seek to prevent the abuse of social media to promote the culture of racism, hate and intolerance. We must also give due consideration to the fourth pillar of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy by ensuring that human rights and the rule of law are observed in global efforts to counter terrorism. Although terrorists have dehumanized us, the international community should not embrace the lawlessness of the terrorists and must never abandon its common humanity, which is what binds us together and gives us strength in our fight against terror. At the same time, terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. Counter-terrorism is as much about military strategy and intelligence as it is about winning hearts and minds. In many parts of the world, violent extremism targets vulnerable and marginalized communities — children, minorities, women and girls. It is therefore imperative that we proactively include and engage the entities of the United Nations system that deal with children, minorities, women and girls. The General Assembly unanimously adopted the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy to enhance national, regional and international efforts to counter terrorism. As noble as those objectives are, we must demonstrate a commitment to closing ranks and making a determined and singular effort to overcome this challenge. In that regard, we must recognize that the building blocks for a normative framework in strengthening international cooperation in these areas are contained in the efforts undertaken by the General Assembly, particularly the United Nations Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism and the Working Group on measures to eliminate international terrorism, which have already resulted in the adoption of a large number of sectoral conventions on the suppression of terrorism. Despite the support of most Member States and despite having been mandated by the General Assembly to come up with a comprehensive legal framework to fill possible gaps in the existing sectoral conventions on terrorism, it is regrettable that we have not been able to break the current impasse surrounding the draft comprehensive convention on international terrorism. Much work has been accomplished in the Ad Hoc Committee. What remains is for the necessary political will to be harnessed so as to conclude such a Convention. It is pertinent at this time to recall that the conclusion of the comprehensive convention was one of the key components of the 2006 plan of action to combat terrorism. The detailed elements of a comprehensive package has been before the Ad Hoc Committee and the Working Group since 2007. It is time to conclude the comprehensive convention so that the international community can send a strong signal of its collective will to combat terrorism and contribute to the effective implementation of the Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. In conclusion, although much more could have been achieved, Sri Lanka nevertheless welcomes and supports the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We wish to express our deep appreciation to the co-facilitators of the sixth review of the Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy, the Ambassadors of Jordan and Finland, and to their experts for their efforts in this complex task, and we reaffirm Sri Lanka’s commitment to the implementation of the Strategy.

The delegation of my country, the Sudan, aligns itself with the statements delivered by the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, and by the representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (see A/72/PV.101). My delegation would like to deliver the following statement in its national capacity. As everybody knows, the Sudan has a vast surface area bordering on seven countries, most of which are facing security and political issues. Our borders are extensive and difficult to control. The geographical location of the Sudan has made it a platform for certain terrorist groups, which benefit from those porous borders that are difficult to monitor. Combating terrorism is therefore a priority for our State and all its institutions. It requires cooperation and consultation with neighbouring countries and the international community. The Sudan has ratified all international conventions pertaining to the struggle against terrorism, as well as regional African and Arab conventions. My country actively participates in the work of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism. We believe that the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy is one of the most important international legal frameworks for guiding national legislation and our national counter-terrorism mechanisms, which are consistent and harmonious with the Strategy. We are waging an ongoing war against terrorism, first and foremost, in order to defend our values and human principles and strengthen human rights, the rule of law, coexistence, prosperity and peace. The Sudan therefore condemns all forms and manifestations of terrorism. We underscore our necessary cooperation and involvement in implementing the Strategy in a global, sustained and coherent framework based on the four pillars of the Strategy through a balanced and comprehensive approach, which confirms that the primary responsibility for the implementation of the Strategy is incumbent upon Member States, while taking into consideration the important role of the United Nations in strengthening cooperation and coherence at the national, regional and international levels, with the aim of supporting Member States, upon request, and to ensure the balanced implementation of the Strategy. My country is working to combat terrorism in tandem with the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Our efforts have had a positive impact on reducing the activities of extremist elements and groups and limiting their spread. We have also adopted laws in that respect and acceded to the relevant international and regional conventions. In particular, we have focused on the conditions that give rise to terrorism, and decided to enact prohibitions against terrorism, build capacities and ensure respect for the rule of law while combating terrorism. This past year, the Sudan deposited the draft of its national counter-terrorism strategy with the competent United Nations offices on counter-terrorism. The strategy is based on smart partnership between the Government and all sectors of society. It is based on dialogue, conflict prevention, good governance, human rights, the rule of law, the participation of local communities, building youth capacities, gender equality, women’s empowerment, education, capacity-building and information and communication technologies. That is happening in various ways, including via the Internet and social media. We have also focused on various goals to address the conditions conducive to terrorism, most important of which is enacting the political measures necessary to combat terrorism, based on strengthening the rule of law and the relevant State institutions, and combating transnational and organized crime. We have also adopted social measures to combat terrorism, including measures to ensure security and social justice, reduce poverty, strengthen social cohesion and foster harmony among the various strata of society. Such measures allow us to embed a cultural vision of combating terrorism so as to raise religious awareness and strengthen the values of moderation and dialogue. We are also working to build capacities related to combating electronic and online crime, money-laundering and financing terrorism, combating organized crime, monitoring the borders and strengthening the role of civil-society organizations to help them combat terrorism and address its root causes, as we are all facing this threat together. Practical experience has shown that the security approach alone is an insufficient way of addressing terrorism and extremism. Accordingly, the Sudan has launched a pilot project in the area of changing the mindset of terrorists and their way of thinking, first, through the prevention phase, by disseminating the values of moderation, tolerance and moderation as a civilized approach while targeting certain elements and safe havens that show signs of extremism; and, secondly, the treatment phase, in which we pursue dialogue with detained elements accused of terrorism and help shift their mindset with the help of imams and specialists, while trying to reintegrate them into the community. Thus we benefit by involving them in the process of addressing violence, extremism and terrorism. Although resolution 72/284, on the sixth review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, was adopted by consensus, we remained concerned about the attempts of some to expand the meaning of the term “violent extremism”. Some even tried to insert paragraphs that would have allowed for the weakening of State sovereignty and interference in the internal affairs of other States, which could limit national ownership of their affairs at a time when the gap is widening and we need to come together around shared ideas and resolve. The question of violent extremism was one of the most controversial issues accompanying the Strategy review. We saw a prime example of that this year, when consensus might have been lost had it not been for the wisdom of the two co-facilitators and the great flexibility of the States that have real concerns regarding this term. That is why all members of the General Assembly should consider such concerns and attempt to find solutions. The term “violent extremism” does not currently have a common consensual definition. It cannot be tied to a religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. That is openly and clearly recognized in the seventh preambular paragraph of resolution 72/284. This is important so that we do not get caught in the trap of stereotypes whenever we speak of terrorism. We must also be alert to any potential conflation of the concepts of combating terrorism and violent extremism, while avoiding any overlap and misunderstanding. Paragraph 13 of the report of the Secretary-General (A/72/840), on the activities of the United Nations system in implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, is sufficient evidence of the conflation of the terms “terrorism” and “violent extremism”. It is important that the report of the Secretary-General be consistent with this central point, particularly in relation to the conditions conducive to terrorism and its structural context. It is impossible to clarify things if we do not recognize the problem and engage in a dialogue in order to resolve it, so that we can achieve a world of peace, security and stability while respecting the Charter, international law and non-interference in the internal affairs of States. That will be possible only through an international political and economic system in which justice, transparency and impartiality are ensured, with the aim of achieving development and peace for all nations around the world. The overall approach to addressing the phenomenon of terrorism represents one of the most important ways to fight and block it. It is not useful to focus on the outcome of this phenomenon, but it is important to address its root causes and main safe havens through a comprehensive and balanced approach that is focused not only on security and military solutions, but which also on all of its cultural and social dimensions. In this context, my delegation underscores that the General Assembly represents the most effective organ to deal with this phenomenon in all its dimensions and aspects. Our national counter-terrorism efforts and regional and international cooperation in the context of the Global Strategy require technical support to strengthen capacities and allow national mechanisms to fully play their role on the basis of cooperation and mutual respect, without prejudice to national sovereignty. Joint efforts must be undertaken by States and the various components of civil-society organizations, in addition to the media, research and academia, in monitoring different phenomena, carrying out in-depth studies and leading awareness and enlightenment campaigns. In conclusion, combating terrorism, achieving balanced development, supporting progress and reconstruction programmes in developing countries, particularly African countries, and enhancing North- South dialogue represent collectively a comprehensive approach to addressing the threats of terrorism through efforts aimed at establishing a just and balanced international system. In this regard, the Sudan rejects the unilateral measures taken by certain States that accuse others of supporting and sponsoring terrorism. That can only stoke tensions in international relations and lead to politicization at the international level. The achievement, through collective and unified international resolve, of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy is vital. Terrorism must be combated in all its forms and manifestations, whoever the perpetratorsmay be, without associating terrorism with any religion, civilization or race. The Sudan expresses its satisfaction at the bilateral negotiations being conducted with other countries. It reaffirms that international and regional cooperation is the best way to promote counter-terrorism efforts while respecting international law and human rights. The Sudan will therefore pursue its efforts to combat global terrorism in a way that respects international and regional commitments and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to the President of the General Assembly for convening this meeting on the sixth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. I also would like to extend our appreciation and thanks, from this rostrum, to the co-facilitators, the Permanent Representative of Jordan, Ambassador Sima Bahous, and our colleague the Permanent Representative of Finland, Ambassador Kai Sauer, for their tireless efforts in facilitating the process and helping to reach consensus on resolution 72/284, on the sixth review of the Strategy. My delegation would like to reiterate its strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including those acts and activities that support, encourage, justify, promote or glorify it directly or indirectly. Terrorism has no religion, no homeland, no borders and no justification. It should in no way be associated with any particular culture, religion, civilization or human community. The fight against violent extremism and terrorism must also include the rejection of xenophobia and Islamophobia, which are emerging as the new faces of violent extremism. Algeria supports the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and underlines the need for the balanced implementation of its four pillars. In that regard, I would like to stress the necessity of preserving the biennial review process, which is aimed at enhancing the Strategy and adapting it to the changing requirements for combating terrorism, including the evolving challenges it presents. That is also required to ensure the effective implementation of its four pillars in a comprehensive manner. My delegation would like to underline the importance of consolidating efforts with regard to the Strategy by enhancing cooperation at the bilateral, regional and international levels, strengthening capabilities and exchanging best practices and expertise on combating terrorism. We welcome the establishment of the Office of Counter-Terrorism, a major development that is also reflected upon in this year’s resolution, and we reiterate our full support for its efforts as well as those of the relevant United Nations bodies and entities of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, including those that signed the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact in support of the implementation of the Strategy. It is important to highlight the role of the United Nations Centre for Counter-Terrorism in consolidating the Strategy’s pillars and encouraging Member States to provide it with adequate financial and human resources. My country appreciates the level of our cooperation with United Nations mechanisms and specialized programmes in combating terrorism and is willing to develop it further. In addition, Algeria’s membership in the Global Counterterrorism Forum reflects our commitment to participating in every relevant forum to promote international cooperation against terrorism. In that context, my country co-chairs with Canada the working group on capacity-building in the West African region. Algeria has also hosted and participated in a number of coordination and assessment activities aimed at strengthening capabilities and exchanging expertise in order to implement best practices in addressing terrorism in all its aspects. We welcome the affirmation by the General Assembly of its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and unity of all States, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations within the framework of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Algeria has consistently called for that commitment to be observed, although we strongly believe that any selective approach to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations aimed at excluding the principle of the right to self-determination of peoples under foreign occupation is not acceptable and is contrary to the letter and spirit of the Charter. It is therefore satisfactory that, for the second review in a row, the General Assembly and member States have reaffirmed their determination to continue to do all they can to resolve conflicts and foreign occupation; confront oppression; eradicate poverty; and promote sustained economic growth, sustainable development, global prosperity, good governance, human rights for all and the rule of law; improve intercultural understanding; and ensure respect for all religious values, beliefs and cultures. It is worth noting that resolution 72/284 addresses the phenomenon of the return and relocation of foreign terrorist fighters, which poses a real and growing threat to international peace and security. The question of countering terrorist narratives and the need to protect youth, children and women and to give special attention to the role of victims of terrorism are also among the updated aspects that mark this year’s review. We also see merit in the reflection on the contribution to preventing and countering terrorism and extremism and on a meaningful implementation of both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union Agenda 2063. We also stress the importance of engaging in a consultative process with member States and regional organizations prior to the submission, no later than May 2019, of the report of the Secretary-General that is requested in the resolution’s paragraph 83. The report is to present concrete recommendations on and options as to ways to assess the impact and progress of the implementation of the Strategy by United Nations entities, so as to inform discussions among member States in advance of the seventh review of the Strategy, to be held during the seventy-fourth session of the General Assembly. Since the most recent review, in 2016, Algeria has taken significant qualitative steps and made tremendous efforts to prevent violent extremism and counter terrorism, as reflected in the written contribution that we submitted for the Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of the Strategy. These steps consolidate the achievements of the historic reconciliation initiative promoted by the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in the form of the Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation, which was adopted by referendum by an overwhelming majority of the Algerian people. Based on our experience, we can testify that, as important as it may be, the total defeat of terrorism through security measures alone will never suffice. We firmly believe — and we have incorporated this belief in our national strategy — that the battle against this scourge must be waged daily and encompass all areas of activity, including the political, institutional, economic, cultural, religious, educational and social realms. Any success in this respect will require the active involvement of all national institutions, civil society and all citizens. We also emphasize the need to shield each citizen and society as a whole from any influence or manipulation by those who advocate terrorism or extremism. This requires strengthening participatory democracy, the rule of law and social justice as well as promoting development that offers equal opportunities for each and every citizen. All these aspects are comprehensively addressed and well framed in our national plan for deradicalization and the prevention of violent extremism. Obviously, the fight against terrorism and violent extremism requires sustained bilateral, regional and international cooperation. Algeria’s efforts to combat terrorism have always been aimed at increasing regional and international cooperation, even before the manifestation of the major acts of international terrorism that the world has experienced. From the outset, Algeria’s tireless efforts to strengthen Africa’s counter-terrorism efforts have resulted in the adoption of several regional instruments and initiatives that are playing a very important role today in enhancing Africa’s effectiveness in this regard. The African Union has entrusted President Bouteflika with the mandate of coordinating counter- terrorism efforts in Africa. In the Sahel region, the concept of coordination and cooperation reaches its fullest expression in the context of the prevailing situation, which requires both coordination and a strengthening of the capacities of the countries of the region. In that regard, my country has engaged in a concerted approach through various cooperation mechanisms. As an example, just two days ago, on 24 and 25 June, Algeria hosted the third round of the regional conversation on preventing violent extremism in the Sahel-Sahara region, which we co-organized together with the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, the International Peace Institute and the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism. Algeria hopes that the resolution we have adopted by consensus will be another effective building block in our collective endeavour to combat and eliminate international terrorism. We look forward to the convening immediately after today’s debate of the first-ever high-level conference of heads of counter- terrorism agencies of Member States of the United Nations, which will take place, upon the initiative of the Secretary-General, on 28 and 29 June.

My delegation joins in congratulating Ambassadors Kai Sauer of Finland and Sima Sami Bahous of Jordan and their respective teams for the professionalism with which they have successfully completed the delicate process of reviewing the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. Peru attaches great importance to this tool in the face of an ever-changing threat. In this regard, we welcome the new review and reaffirm our commitment to the shared responsibility to address the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We stress that the establishment of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, as a result of the previous review of the Strategy, has helped to improve the coordination and coherence of efforts within the United Nations. The signing of the Global Counter- Terrorism Coordination Compact among the bodies of the system also represents an important step forward. We consider it crucial to strengthen the synergies between the Office, the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate, within their respective mandates, with a view to providing greater and more comprehensive support to States based on effective needs assessments in the area of technical assistance. This should help to implement the Global Strategy in a manner that ensures greater integration and balance among all its pillars, in accordance with the obligations of Member States under international law, human rights law, refugee law and international humanitarian law. We deem it important to strengthen our action against violent extremism leading to terrorism. We must address its root causes, including poverty, inequality and injustice, and weave a strong social fabric, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The fight against extremism is also a struggle in the field of ideas — battling violent rhetoric with a message that speaks of peace, reconciliation and the future. We must work together with civil society, the private sector and academia, and encourage the greater participation of women and young people. Accordingly, with full respect for freedom of expression and association, we must prevent the use by terrorist groups of social networks and other civil-society platforms to propagate and disseminate violent ideologies, recruit supporters, attract funding and justify their actions and those of their leaders. The work of financial-intelligence and customs entities is crucial in the fight against the financing of terrorism. The phenomenon we are facing requires that we improve the existing mechanisms for cooperation and information exchange between these entities, both nationally and internationally. We also stress the need to identify and address the links between terrorism and transnational organized crime, an issue that Peru has been promoting within the framework of its current participation in the Security Council. Finally, we welcome the current review’s inclusion of important measures concerning the return of foreign terrorist fighters and the protection of critical infrastructure, sexual violence as a terrorist tactic, and the establishment of the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. I conclude by recalling the importance of finalizing the drafting of the comprehensive convention on international terrorism; we must redouble our efforts in that regard. I assure the President that he has the undying support of my delegation in that endeavour.

I am honoured to deliver remarks on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States on the occasion of the sixth review of the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. The candidate countries the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania; the country of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina; and the European Free Trade Association country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area; as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, align themselves with this statement. Let me start by welcoming the consensual adoption of resolution 72/284, on the review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and by thanking the co-facilitators for their tireless efforts in that process. The European Union pursues a comprehensive approach to combating and preventing terrorism with respect for human rights and the rule of law at its core. The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, together with the relevant Security Council resolutions and the Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, help guide European Union efforts in counter-terrorism and preventing violent extremism. We fully support the role of the United Nations in the prevention of and fight against terrorism. The deepening of the international consensus and the strengthening of international efforts to combat terrorism remain key objectives for the European Union. To that end, the European Union and the United Nations will shortly agree on a framework for enhancing our partnership in that area. Over the coming two years, that framework will guide our joint efforts to advance the implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and to assist Member States, as appropriate, in their efforts to fully implement the relevant Security Council resolutions. We will focus our enhanced partnership efforts on Iraq, Africa, and Central, South and South-East Asia, as well as on the priority global concern of preventing violent extremism. This biennial review of the Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy is an opportunity to strengthen consensus and refocus the attention of the international community on emerging and evolving issues. In that regard, the European Union welcomes the fact that this resolution provides several important updates with regard to the threat of foreign terrorist fighters, including returnees and relocators, and the financing of terrorism, to name only two examples. The EU takes this opportunity to reaffirm the importance of the balanced implementation of all four pillars of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Each pillar is of equal importance in our joint fight against terrorism, and although we think that improvement is possible in that respect, the consensus reached in negotiations during this review process sends an important signal that we remain united in our efforts to create a strong front in the face of all forms and manifestations of terrorism and violent extremism, while upholding respect for human rights. We believe that a comprehensive approach is particularly critical as States grapple with the prospect of returning or relocating fighters from conflict zones and focus on victims of terrorism, including family members,and the impact on homegrown violent extremism. While the resolution represents a hard-won consensus, we must acknowledge persistent differences between member States on fundamental issues such as the concept of the prevention of violent extremism, the identification of conditions conducive to radicalization, the role that civil society plays in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism, and the importance of paying due attention to the gender dimension. In our collective efforts to implement the Global Strategy over the coming biennium, we must seek to bridge those divides. In that respect, the European Union looks to the leadership of Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism. The EU and its member States fully support a whole-of-society approach to implementing the Global Strategy and call for strengthened collaboration and cooperation between Governments and civil society. By embracing human rights and the rule of law and working to eliminate corruption, Governments can create an enabling environment for local authorities and civil society to counter radicalization and violent extremism. In that regard, we welcome Under-Secretary- General Voronkov’s strong expressions of support for the need to increase efforts to prevent violent extremism and for the important role that civil society can and must play. We agree with the Under-Secretary-General’s assertion at the recent United Nations Development Programme Global Meeting on Preventing Violent Extremism, held in Oslo, that the United Nations needs to do more to strengthen cooperation with civil society on preventing violent extremism. The EU fully supports that position and commits to advancing that objective in partnership with the Office of Counter-Terrorism, other United Nations entities and Member States. Likewise, the EU and its member States are encouraged by the positive and concrete United Nations reforms achieved in the area of counter-terrorism and preventing violent extremism. Reforming the United Nations counter-terrorism architecture — with the appointment of Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and the creation of the Office of Counter-Terrorism — was an important and necessary step to bring coherence and strengthen the role of the United Nations in driving progress in our collective efforts to realize the objectives of the Global Strategy. The EU agrees with the Secretary-General’s view, as set out in his report (A/72/840), that, going forward, the work of the Office of Counter-Terrorism should be consolidated around the development of global policy and coordination. The European Union is a natural partner to the United Nations in that pursuit, and it remains committed to continuing its close and energetic support for that endeavour. The ongoing discussions on the reform of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre should be pursued with the aim of strengthening the efficiency of the Centre and the impact of its activities to improve the planning, implementation and transparency of funding and governance, drawing on best practices of United Nations partnership funds, multi-donor trust funds and the relevant programmes inside and outside the United Nations. The EU and its member States are encouraged by the commitment of the United Nations to strengthening coordination towards an all-of-United-Nations approach in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism. We welcome the parameters for strengthening coordination set forth in the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact. The Compact’s goal of achieving better coherence, transparency and coordination among the many United Nations entities involved in work on counter- terrorism and the prevention of violent extremism addresses a priority concern of the EU and States Members of the United Nations. We trust that through the implementation of the Compact and enhanced collaboration with external partners, the United Nations system can have a better impact and provide stronger and more efficient technical assistance and capacity- building support to Member States. We reiterate the responsibility of each State Member of the United Nations to implement the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and its obligations under international law, including Security Council resolutions. We commend the work of the Counter- Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) in assessing, monitoring and supporting the implementation of these Security Council resolutions and applaud the reinvigorated level of collaboration and cooperation led by CTED Executive Director Coninsx and the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, Mr. Voronkov, in this effort, including as reflected in the recent joint report of the Office and CTED (S/2018/435, annex). Strong coordination and cooperation between CTED and the Office is key as they work within their mandates and in their distinct roles to ensure the effective alignment of United Nations technical and capacity- building assistance with gaps in implementation and capacity as identified by CTED. The EU and its member States remain committed to multilateralism and support the global efforts to fight terrorism and violent extremism in support of the United Nations, in particular through the Global Counterterrorism Forum. We encourage further cooperation between the Forum and the United Nations in implementing the Global Strategy. The EU and its member States welcome the adoption of the review resolution and commend the co-facilitators for their successful efforts to restructure the resolution in order to align it with the main pillars of the Strategy. We will continue our steadfast support for and collaboration with the United Nations, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and Member States towards realizing the full implementation of the Strategy.

Terrorism is, sadly, often associated with my region, which has suffered heinous terrorist acts throughout the years. It is unfortunate, for instance, to observe that not all terrorist attacks and incidents make the headlines or even the news any more, as they have become the gloomy reality of some of our peoples. However, this plague spares no part of the world and continues to pose a grave threat that is aimed at creating chaos and affects the basic human rights and fundamental freedoms of peoples. While Lebanon reiterates its firm condemnation of terrorism, it rejects any attempt to associate it with a religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. If anything, it should be associated with sheer cruelty. We also reject any attempt to label the right to resist foreign occupation — which is rooted in international law — with terrorism, with the aim of serving a political purpose and distorting reality. The adoption by consensus today of resolution 72/284 highlights the importance of a multidimensional approach to preventing and combating terrorism. Here I wish to thank the Ambassadors of Jordan and Finland and their teams for their tireless efforts and valuable work in co-facilitating this sixth biennial review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. My country, which is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, remains committed to the implementation of the four pillars of the Strategy. Our armed forces succeeded in defeating Da’esh militarily and disrupting terrorist cells. We have engaged in countering the financing of terrorism and made notable achievements. Nonetheless, we all know that to eradicate this source of evil, we have to address the deep structural causes, both internal and external, that create and fuel an environment conducive to radicalism turning into terrorism. They range from prolonged conflicts, foreign occupation and double standards to inequality and exclusion. Young people must be at the front lines of those efforts, as they represent our present and our future. Not all individuals facing such situations of injustice and despair will follow the terrorist path, but all of them can be susceptible, to a certain degree, to falling prey to terrorist recruiters. My country spares no effort on the preventive front. In March, we adopted a national strategy to prevent violent extremism that is the result of a lengthy and inclusive process of consultations that brought together my Government, civil society, the relevant United Nations entities and other key actors. The plan is in line with the relevant international standards such as United Nations resolutions and in particular the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The creation of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism is a step forward aimed at better assisting Member States in implementing the Strategy in a more coherent and coordinated manner, notably through enhanced capacity-building activities. The signing of the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact also represents another positive addition in this regard. Furthermore, Lebanon looks forward to the United Nations High-level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States, set to take place in two days. We believe that this is a very useful step in operationalizing and advancing the key objectives of the Strategy. In conclusion, we must remember that our ability to uphold the rule of law and human rights is tested mainly in times of turmoil and great upheaval. Yet overlooking or compromising on human rights when responding to the terrorist threat can never be an option.

I would like to warmly thank you, Sir, in your capacity as the Permanent Representative of Finland, and your team, as well as the Permanent Representative of Jordan and her team, for the hard work done in facilitating the negotiations on the text of the sixth biennial review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We commend the co-facilitators for having restructured resolution 72/284 in a way that makes it more accessible, understandable and visible to actors outside the United Nations system. I would also like to congratulate the Secretary- General and Under-Secretary-General Voronkov for having initiated the reform of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism. In our view, reform is a constant and ongoing process, and we look forward to Mr. Voronkov bringing greater professionalism, efficiency, impartiality, transparency, predictability and accountability to the Office’s activities. We also welcome the finalization of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, a framework that aims to strengthen a common action approach to coordination and coherence in the work of the United Nations system to prevent and counter terrorism and strengthen support to Member States. We acknowledge the progress made in resolution 72/284, in particular its provisions on foreign terrorist fighters and on countering the financing of terrorism. It also addresses the conditions conducive to terrorism and violent extremism, including but not limited to prolonged unresolved conflicts; absence of the rule of law; foreign occupation; oppression; poverty; ethnic, national and religious discrimination; political exclusion; socioeconomic marginalization; and lack of good governance. The resolution also stresses that when counter- terrorism efforts neglect the rule of law at the national and international levels and violate international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, international humanitarian law and refugee law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, they not only betray the values that they seek to uphold but may also further fuel violent extremism, which can be conducive to terrorism. It is unfortunate that manifest violations of international law and neglect of the rule of law at the international level can be witnessed in many cases worldwide. Moreover, the resolution recalls the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, adopted by consensus at the fifty-third session of the General Assembly, which encompasses important principles, inter alia, the realization of the right of all peoples living under colonial or foreign occupation to self- determination and liberation. That well-established principle has also been recognized in the first Protocol additional to the Geneva conventions. The Islamic Republic of Iran opposes any attempt to equate the legitimate struggle of peoples under colonial or foreign occupation for self-determination with terrorism. Such equation is aimed at prolonging the occupation of the territories in question and the oppression of their peoples. Resolution 72/284 also calls on the international community to take the steps necessary to enhance cooperation to prevent and combat terrorism in a decisive, unified, coordinated, inclusive and transparent manner. That implies that selectivity or double standards and simply categorizing terrorism as good or bad based on short-term political interests, or the unilateral preparation of lists accusing other States of being so-called sponsors of terrorism, will not help the international community to uproot terrorism. By contrast, such unjustifiable, illegal and unilateral actions would only undermine international trust and cooperation in countering terrorism and therefore would be contrary to the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy’s provisions and its spirit. However, we regret the fact that the resolution does not address certain important issues. An example is the corporate responsibility of private companies in countering terrorist narratives. It is crystal-clear that the self-regulatory regime offered by private companies to remove terrorist content has proved to be ineffective. There is an urgent need to develop a United Nations convention to regulate the activities of private companies in the field of information technology, including a focus on the broad spectrum of crimes committed with the use of information and communications technology. That important notion does not appear in the resolution, and we regret it. For decades, a number of external root causes and factors have led or contributed to the spread of terrorism. These include the unlawful use of force against other States, foreign aggression and foreign interference in the internal affairs of other States. Moreover, violations of international humanitarian law, along with the excessive and disproportionate use of military force in the name of countering terrorism, in most cases without the consent of the country concerned, have created fertile ground for vicious circles of violence and terrorism. None of those conditions was reflected in the resolution. The other important issue that, unfortunately, is not addressed in the resolution is the urgent need to improve the efficiency of the United Nations Counter- Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) and bring the Centre to the level of the other United Nations entities by adopting its terms of reference in the General Assembly. Although mainstreaming transparency, inclusiveness and accountability in all United Nations entities is an important prerequisite for their efficiency, and despite the fact that the Secretary-General in his reform agenda continually calls for renewed spaces for Member States to guide system-wide actions and bring about greater transparency and accountability, UNCCT Advisory Board members continue to be appointed in a non-transparent manner and Board meetings continue to be held behind closed doors. In an effort to improve the transparency and accountability of the UNCCT, the Islamic Republic of Iran, in the course of negotiations on the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy review resolution, proposed that the members of the Advisory Board of the Centre be elected by the General Assembly and that all Member States that are not members of the Board be invited to participate in all of its meetings as observers. The ultimate goal of that proposal was to enhance the level of engagement of Member States in the work of the UNCCT and improve its efficiency by bringing new ideas and thoughts to the Advisory Board, as well as mobilization for more resources. It is unfortunate that the resolution could not address such an important issue. However, that proposal will remain on the table for the consideration of the General Assembly. We consider the proposal to be an integral element of the systematic reform of the Office of Counter-Terrorism. It is the only option that would preserve the legitimacy, impartiality and sustainability of the UNCCT. We would also like to request the Secretary-General to include existing flaws in the UNCCT in his report on the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy by United Nations entities. Finally, let me conclude by reiterating that the Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to the implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We stand ready to help Mr. Voronkov and his team in the discharge of their important functions in pursuing the goal of ridding the world of terrorism, and we call on all peace-loving Member States to fulfil their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

At the outset, I would like to express the appreciation of the United Arab Emirates for the sustained efforts made by the delegations of Jordan and Finland to facilitate the negotiations on the draft resolution related to the sixth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We also welcome today’s adoption of resolution 72/284 by consensus. My country’s delegation aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (see A/72/PV.101). The Middle East region is facing many crises caused by extremist and terrorist groups — groups that are financed and supported by certain organizations and Governments. Everyone knows that the spread of that phenomenon in our region has had a devastating impact and led to a considerable loss of human life, as well as the displacement of millions of people. In spite of the progress made by the international community to overcome terrorist groups and address security threats, more remains to be done, especially in our Arab region. We believe that we must not give terrorist groups the opportunity to reorganize themselves following the losses that they have suffered; otherwise we will lose the progress that we have made and, consequently, never be able to uproot this threat. The sixth review of the Strategy underscored many important issues that Member States must commit to addressing so as to achieve our goal of eliminating extremism and terrorism and maintaining international peace and security. In that regard, I would like make the following comments. First, the Strategy reaffirms the commitment of Member States to prevent and eliminate the financing of terrorist acts while criminalizing those who deliberately provide funds for the purpose of carrying out terrorist attacks. Indeed, financing is vital to terrorists, as without it they are unable to acquire weapons, recruit fighters or launch attacks. As a result, it is essential to stem the flow of funds to terrorists at the source, which requires joint actions and measures to identify the organizations and States that are financing terrorist groups, thereby violating their commitments under the Strategy and undermining international efforts to eradicate terrorism. Secondly, the Strategy expresses concern over the growing use by terrorists and their supporters of information and communication technologies, including the Internet and the media, to encourage the perpetration of terrorist acts. In that context, the United Arab Emirates reaffirms the need to shut down media outlets that are used as platforms for promoting the plans of extremist and terrorist groups, in particular those that claim to be legal while inciting violence with the support of many States and organizations. It is also necessary to distinguish between freedom of expression, in which the United Arab Emirates believes, and hate speech, which transcends freedom of expression and incites violence and extremism. We must therefore identify such terrorist platforms and call for their closure so as to protect our nations from the danger of terrorist discourse. We also agree with the Strategy that technology can be a powerful tool for countering the spread of terrorism. In that context, the Sawab Centre in Abu Dhabi seeks to shed light on the lies that Da’esh spreads in the media and to raise awareness among young people about the dangers of joining terrorist groups. The Centre also launches campaigns that aim to remind our people of common human values, based on tolerance and mutual acceptance. Thirdly, the Strategy underscores the importance of fostering tolerance and pluralism to curb extremism and terrorism, and welcomes all initiatives undertaken by States in that regard. The United Arab Emirates has created and supported a number of specialized institutions, including the Council of Muslim Sages, which brings together a group of great Muslim imams who work to eliminate the causes of divisions in society and promote social cohesion. Our National Programme for Tolerance, led by the State Minister for Tolerance, includes a specific work plan to consolidate the values of peace, cultural diversity and mutual acceptance within our society. The United Arab Emirates has also launched international initiatives such as the International Institute for Tolerance and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Tolerance Award, in order to expand horizons of understanding in the region and foster a culture of openness and civilized dialogue among the peoples of the region. Fourthly, the Strategy underscores the important role played by young people and women in preventing extremism and combating terrorism. We must establish a climate that is conducive to realizing the aspirations of young people and women, so that they can participate in building their country. This not only safeguards peoples from terrorism and extremism but also builds happy communities, with the goal of achieving development and prosperity. That is why my country has appointed a young female minister to oversee a number of initiatives, including the youth councils, which are aimed at including young people in decision-making processes and allowing their views and aspirations to be known. In the United Arab Emirates, women occupy high positions in the areas of politics and business. The adoption of national legislation, as well as accession to international treaties and a commitment thereto, is extremely important in our fight against extremism and terrorism. In that regard, the United Arab Emirates has acceded to more than 15 regional and international conventions on counter-terrorism and adopted several national laws on the prosecution of terrorists and addressing the financing of terrorism, while criminalizing acts of religious contempt and hate speech. My country believes in the importance of coordination at the national, regional and international levels to combat terrorism. That is why it has joined the Global Coalition against Da’esh to help put an end to its activities and prevent it from receiving financial support. The United Arab Emirates is also an active member of the Global Counterterrorism Forum, which plays a leading role in this regard at the international level. In conclusion, the United Arab Emirates underscores that it is unacceptable to tolerate terrorism in any of its forms. We must not become complacent towards its perpetrators and supporters. The United Arab Emirates will not cease working with regional and international partners to address extremist and terrorist groups, as we will not allow such groups to undermine the security of our people and of the region. Our main goal remains the restoration of stability in the long- suffering Arab region and to build a more promising future for our young people.

The Republic of Korea would first like to align itself with the statement made by the representative of Turkey on behalf of the MIKTA group of countries — Mexico, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Turkey and Australia (see A/72/PV.101). We have been witnessing the emergence of new challenges in the global terrorism landscape since the adoption of resolution 70/291, on the fifth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, two years ago. Most notably, foreign terrorist fighters from conflict areas have been returning home, while terrorists are increasingly exploiting new technologies to recruit and finance and to commit terrorist acts. At the same time, to better address the multifaceted and evolving nature of terrorism, we reached a historic agreement last year to reinforce the United Nations architecture to prevent and counter terrorism by establishing the United Nations Office of Counter- Terrorism. Resolution 72/284, on the sixth review of the Strategy, reflects those recent developments and, in that regard, the Republic of Korea welcomes the adoption of the resolution by consensus. Moreover, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to the co-facilitators, the Ambassadors of Jordan and Finland, and their teams for their able leadership in facilitating the negotiations. As my delegation pointed out at the outset of the negotiations, we should ensure that this important Strategy is implemented in an effective way so as to better address our common threat. In that regard, we welcome the request made to the Secretary-General that he submit a report on recommendations to assess the impact and progress of the implementation of the Strategy. In the course of the negotiations, we also came across divergent views on a number of important issues that we deem critical to addressing the global threat of terrorism. In our view, continuing informal dialogues among member States on those issues in the coming months can contribute to minimizing divergences and, in turn, to achieving a stronger Global Strategy in two years’ time. I wish to make two additional points with respect to the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. First, the Republic of Korea attaches great importance to the prevention of violent extremism, which is a central pillar of the Global Strategy. In addition to the hard security measures necessary to immediately combat terrorism, we believe that a broad, long-term approach is equally necessary for the effective prevention of terrorism; such an approach should include addressing conditions that are conducive to terrorism. However, while pursuing initiatives related to the prevention of violent extremism, we should also pay heed to the countries calling for greater respect for national ownership and also for terrorism and violent extremism not to be associated with any religion, nationality or ethnic group. My delegation believes that that will only help to enhance our mutual trust and collective resolve to jointly tackle this common threat. The Republic of Korea recently set up a national action plan for the prevention of violent extremism. The plan focuses on developing a whole-of-society approach by encouraging civil society and local communities to actively engage in preventing violent extremism. The plan also aims to empower young people and build their resilience against violent extremism by promoting a sense of identity and belonging. We have also been actively promoting United Nations global citizenship education, which can prevent the spread of violent extremism conducive to terrorism by helping young people to learn the universal values of peace, harmony, tolerance and respect for other cultures and religions. The Republic of Korea is also committed to helping other Member States build their capacities to prevent terrorism. We recently started making financial contributions to the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism to assist Member States in setting up national and regional action plans on preventing violent extremism. Secondly, in our view, the Office of Counter- Terrorism should play a stronger role in promoting the strategic coordination and coherence of the United Nations response to terrorism. Most importantly, the Office should assist Member States, upon their request, in bolstering their capacities to counter and prevent terrorism by building strong partnerships with regional and international organizations, international financial institutions, the private sector and civil society. We look forward to engaging with interested Member States and the Office of Counter-Terrorism in continuously strengthening the United Nations counter- terrorism architecture. The Republic of Korea has also been working to strengthen regional efforts to counter and prevent terrorism by facilitating interregional and regional dialogues. Last April we convened the Inter-Regional Conference on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism, in close cooperation with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, to share experiences and good practices between Asia and Europe. In closing, we wish to thank the Secretary-General for having convened the first United Nations High-level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States, to be held later this week. We believe that the Conference marks an important start for the United Nations in building stronger partnerships with a diverse range of actors to effectively counter and prevent one of humankind’s greatest threats.

It gives me great pleasure to address the General Assembly on the occasion of the sixth review of the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. We join others in thanking the Permanent Representatives of the Kingdom of Jordan and Finland and their teams for their able efforts in facilitating negotiations on resolution 72/284, which we adopted today by consensus (see A/72/PV.101). We welcome the successful outcome of the process, which reaffirms the imperative of a stronger and more effective global response to defeat international terrorism in the light of the evolving nature of the threat, which has only grown in scope and magnitude worldwide. For us, the task of countering terrorism is one in which our people have been engaged for more than two decades — even before 2001, when the United Nations adopted a more comprehensive approach to combating this global threat. In that regard, our struggle has persisted on the basis of our national efforts to defend our territorial integrity and sovereignty and enable our people to live a life of dignity, in peace and tranquillity. Today we continue to struggle, supported by the international community, against terrorist groups that are intent on undermining our democracy, disrupting social stability, destroying our infrastructure and, above all, preventing us from becoming a peaceful and secure country. Having said that, today we are a proud nation, defending our people and territory against elements of various terrorist groups that have come from outside our country. Our security forces have braved the challenge of fending off those groups in different parts of Afghanistan, at great sacrifice, despite the continued attacks taking place against our people. Our fight against terrorism constitutes a core element of our nation-building efforts as we continue to build a democratic and prosperous society that is grounded in the rule of law. In the broader context, as the front-line State in the fight against international terrorism, we are making a notable contribution to the security and defence of all peoples and nations around the world. Outside the battlefield, we are taking persistent measures to implement, in full, the many international counter-terrorism conventions and protocols. To that end, we have broadened and enacted new legislation to capture the full scope of various counter-terrorism instruments. We have updated the criminal code to unify our criminal legislation, which also includes terrorism offences. Our judicial authorities, including the Attorney General’s Office, are prosecuting terrorism cases on a continued basis. We have repatriated a number of foreign terrorist fighters from our detention centres to their countries of origin, in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Security Council resolutions. We have also taken new measures to counter the financing of terrorism, such as curtailing the illegal flow of currency. The Financial Action Task Force has verified our compliance with international standards related to countering the financing of terrorism. Our holistic approach to countering terrorism and violent extremism also includes the development of a countering-violent-extremism strategy, built on bottom-up efforts in districts, towns and villages to identify potential sources of radicalization and measures to counter them. Key aspects of the approach include empowering the role of religious figures and institutions to condemn terrorism and violent extremism and to generate confidence in communities by ensuring effective service delivery, on the basis of our national peace and development framework. Our effort to secure peace for our people is another area in which we are making important investments. If successful, it will have a profound and positive impact on countering terrorism, reducing violence and promoting peacebuilding. We are working closely with regional and international partners, including the United Nations, on that issue and hope to achieve the desired results. The Global Strategy on which we meet today is the overarching framework for the international fight against terrorism. It complements important counter-terrorism instruments, including international conventions and General Assembly resolutions on the subject. Success in our vital endeavour depends on States meeting their international obligations under international law. We hope that this year’s resolution will generate more decisive action in countering terrorism, based on a zero-tolerance approach, as highlighted in the resolution. That also means denying terrorist groups safe havens, freedom of operations, movement and recruitment, and any form of financial, moral and material support. Likewise, promoting greater understanding and cooperation among different religions and cultures must gain new impetus globally. New attacks in different regions and continents have again proved that terrorism is a threat to human civilization as a whole. Victims of that evil phenomenon are of distinct religious backgrounds, cultures and strata of society. Moreover, we must not allow lingering regional and international tensions to undermine a more effective global response in combating terrorism. More can and should be done to find solutions to common challenges, including preventing new conflicts and resolving old ones. In short, strengthening the spirit of mutual cooperation in today’s global order can only benefit our counter-terrorism efforts. Victims of terrorism are often left traumatized and demoralized after experiencing the worst one can imagine. We are pleased that this year’s resolution has a greater focus on the plight of such victims — people who have been affected physically and emotionally by the evil phenomenon, including the bereaved families of those who have lost their precious lives. Furthermore, the text we have adopted underscores that victims of terrorism must be granted immediate support, in the form of medical, psychological, financial and other forms of assistance. As the initiator of resolution 72/165, entitled “International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism”, we hope that the imperative of support to victims will continue to gain proper attention in the work of the United Nations. We welcome the new emphasis given to the imperative of strengthening the United Nations response in combating terrorism, including its role in helping States to strengthen their operational capacity to address terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. As many have highlighted in the course of this debate, the creation of the Office of Counter-Terrorism in the United Nations provides an opportunity that must be fully utilized. We believe that the new Office can benefit from the experience and human resources of States that have been involved in combating terrorism over an extensive period of time, and that it should also tailor its assistance to the priority needs of concerned States. Afghanistan welcomes the adoption by consensus of today’s resolution, on the sixth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. As ever, we remain a committed partner in the broader effort of implementing the Strategy for the benefit of all our citizens and for a safer and more secure world for current and future generations.

At the outset, I wish to thank the two co-facilitators and their teams for their outstanding work and the tremendous efforts that they have put into negotiating resolution 72/284, which we have just adopted (see A/72/PV.101). The Republic of Serbia aligns itself with the statement delivered earlier by the observer of the European Union. I shall now make some additional comments from our national perspective. Serbia strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including extremism and radicalism. Fighting those phenomena is my country’s strategic goal. Having in mind the need for continuous and broad international cooperation in this field, we stand ready to work on the suppression of this modern- day scourge with our partners all over the world. In doing so, we consider the United Nations to be the most important forum for active engagement. The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy provides for a comprehensive approach to the suppression of terrorism, and Serbia has invested significant efforts in defining relevant policies and measures and establishing a functional system as a complex and all- embracing response to the threat of terrorism. The Republic of Serbia strongly supports all General Assembly resolutions on measures to prevent international terrorism, starting with the first (resolution 3034 (XXVII)), adopted in 1972, as well as international efforts aimed at countering this global phenomenon. My country firmly supports the activities and efforts of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism. The Committee’s follow-up visit to Serbia took place in late March. The visit provided an opportunity to update the Committee’s delegation on the activities that Serbia is undertaking in the field of counter-terrorism, including in the implementation of the Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. The Committee recognized that Serbia has made considerable efforts to comply with the requirements of relevant Security Council resolutions. Foreign terrorist fighters, including returnees and those relocating, represent a threat that needs to be addressed not only at the national level, but also through international and regional cooperation. As a sponsor of Security Council resolution 2178 (2014), my country has made significant efforts to counter the foreign terrorist fighter phenomenon. Prevention measures have been taken, as have measures to ensure social inclusion, while recognizing the specific threat presented by the phenomenon. Potential indoctrination and recruitment are accorded appropriate attention by the relevant Government agencies. My country supports the full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 16, related to promoting peaceful and inclusive societies that provide equal access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Without that, societies can become fertile ground for the spread of extremism, violence and terrorism. The Republic of Serbia is actively engaged in international and regional activities aimed at countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism. We stand ready to continue that engagement, within the limits of our capabilities and the resources available to us. We responsibly meet all of our international obligations stemming from the relevant Security Council resolutions. My country has pursued a number of activities since the last review. One of the most significant steps taken was last year’s adoption of the national strategy for the prevention and countering of terrorism, as well as the action plan for its implementation. Serbia’s national counter-terrorism strategy provides for the key role of prevention, with a special emphasis on countering violent extremism and radicalization conducive to terrorism. At the same time, we continue to take extensive measures to strengthen the country’s institutional capacities to address the threats and challenges encountered in the fight against and suppression of terrorism and extremism, with respect for human rights and the rule of law. Serbia will continue to make a contribution, in cooperation with partners around the world, to combating terrorism and suppressing threats presented by foreign terrorist fighters at national, regional, European and global levels. Committed and consistent in that endeavour, Serbia intends and vows to make full use of the relevant institutions of the United Nations system.

The Russian Federation is in favour of a balanced and integrated approach to countering terrorism, which, in our view, should be reflected in the General Assembly resolution on the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review. Faced with a global terrorist threat, we believe it is necessary to rally a broad counter-terrorism coalition within the framework of a genuinely united front of States. We are firmly convinced that the urgency of combating terrorism should be coupled with a strict observance by States of the principles and norms of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. Unilateral approaches and actions that bypass the United Nations, including on the counter-terrorism track, are illegitimate and counterproductive and weaken the global Organization. We welcome the creation of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism. We have high expectations for it with regard to improving the efficiency of specialized multilateral cooperation and improving the coordination of the many structures of the former Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force. We support the suppression of any form of support for terrorists  — material and technical support, through illegal arms transfers and income from illicit drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings and the smuggling of cultural artefacts; human support, through the recruitment of new followers; and ideological support, through the dissemination of radical ideas using modern information and communication technologies. We welcome the fact that the resolution calls on States to collaborate with a view to implementing Security Council resolution 2354 (2017) and the comprehensive international framework to counter terrorist narratives. At the same time, we note with regret that several States have supported a shift towards controversial concepts: now, when planning and implementing counter-terrorism measures, greater attention is being paid to the prevention of violent extremism and the role of gender in protecting human rights. We believe that that approach leads to the erosion of full-fledged antiterrorism cooperation and shifts the focus from firmly countering terrorists to positioning them as the suffering victims of undemocratic regimes and in need of external assistance. That, in turn, will lead to criminals being unjustly recategorized as insurgents and fighters against tyranny. A balanced approach is necessary in the social adaptation and reintegration of terrorists. We believe that such measures must be implemented in conjunction with criminal prosecution, thereby ensuring the applicability of the principle of the inevitability of punishment. The international community faces the acute problem of foreign terrorist fighters, who, following the military defeat of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, return to their countries of origin and/ or residence or move to third countries. We must acknowledge that the trends and dynamics in that area are extremely worrying. Some foreign terrorist fighters have blended in and fallen off the radar of law enforcement, and those who return become autonomous combat and ideological cells of international terrorist organizations. The mechanisms for identification, information-sharing, border security and prosecution are either not fit for purpose or are falling short. We believe that substantial experience-sharing, including through a mechanism for notifying foreign partners about the detention of foreign terrorist fighters, is one of the most effective instruments for combating the phenomenon. Russia affirms its readiness for closer international cooperation in closing the channels through which foreign terrorist fighters make their way to third countries. We stand ready to energetically, systematically and thoroughly share our counter- terrorism experience bilaterally and through the United Nations and other international organizations.

At the outset, we wish to thank the Secretary-General for his report on the progress made in implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (A/72/840). My delegation also wishes to warmly thank and congratulate the co-facilitators  — Jordan and Finland  — on the adoption earlier today of resolution 72/284 and on their outstanding work and patience in managing to get all parties on board. I also wish to congratulate the Under-Secretary- General heading the United Nations Office of Counter- Terrorism, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, on his first year in office and for reaching out to and engaging with Member States in a constructive manner. There is no doubt that the Office of Counter-Terrorism will be called upon to play an even more pivotal role within the United Nations architecture. The Office will certainly help, inter alia, to provide leadership, coordination and coherence to strengthen United Nations counter-terrorism capacity- building assistance to Member States and to improve the visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts. In that regard, we must commend the Secretary-General for having had the vision and audacity to produce his proposal for setting up the Office. The Secretary-General’s report underlines the continuing support of the United Nations for Member States in developing and implementing responses to terrorism that take on board all four pillars of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. It provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving global terrorism landscape, including a description and assessment of current and emerging threats and challenges, such as drones, cyberattacks and chemical and biological attacks and so on. The report further analyses the means to address the deficit in multilateral cooperation by, inter alia, building consensus on global counter-terrorism efforts, enhancing national ownership in devising sustainable policies, improving existing partnerships, as well as the multilateral architecture and legal frameworks for counter-terrorism, and focusing on young people and their protection against all forms of radicalization. Furthermore, in his report, the Secretary-General called for improvement and depoliticization in the methodology, content and impact of the collective work of Member States, as well as of the United Nations, in order for counter-terrorism efforts to have the desired impact on the ground. He also appealed to Member States for a consensual outcome of the review process of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy: “A strong consensus General Assembly resolution will send a resounding message to terrorists everywhere that the world is united in its resolve to defeat this scourge.” (A/72/840, para.84) Mauritius is party to several international treaties that contain the obligation to apprehend, prosecute or extradite the perpetrators of terrorist acts. We also wish to underline that our Constitution guarantees and safeguards the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, including the protection of freedom of conscience. In line with the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the Government of Mauritius is constantly enhancing its national counter-terrorism strategy, with particular emphasis on community-bonding, law enforcement and intelligence-gathering, and response and recovery. In that regard, in December 2016 substantive legislative amendments were made to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, in order to provide, inter alia, for the reinforcement of the legal framework against terrorism. Those amendments also cater for issues such as terrorist training, whether inland or overseas, recruitment by terrorist groups, terrorist hoaxes, control orders and special powers of inquiry, as well as the use of technologies for surveillance and intelligence-gathering. Therefore, in line with the Government programme for 2015-2019, the Counter-Terrorism Unit now has the appropriate legal status, which enables it to discharge its functions in more effective and efficient manner, thanks to legislative amendments. Moreover, in July 2017, the Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism Act was amended to cater for offences related to the financing of terrorism. Strict measures have also been taken by the Government of Mauritius in partnership with financial institutions to counter all illegal and suspicious financial transactions. Mauritius fully supports all national, regional and international initiatives that help enhance counter- terrorism strategies around the world. Today no country can claim to be immune from the scourge of terrorism, which has become an unprecedented threat to international peace, security and development. Therefore, we remain fully supportive of United Nations-led multilateral initiatives and strongly believe that the Office of Counter-Terrorism can be of great assistance to all Member States.

I would like at the outset to welcome the adoption of resolution 72/284, on the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review. Furthermore, I would like to express our appreciation to the two facilitators, the Permanent Representative of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Permanent Representative of Finland, for their efforts during the negotiations. The current review has given Member States the opportunity to evaluate the best ways to implement the Global Strategy and to update it in order to address the emerging developments and challenges faced by the international community. The resolution adopted today is important as it pertains to strengthening collective action in combating this dangerous scourge and building the capacity of the United Nations system to support Member States in that regard. We welcome the new elements in the resolution, including the provisions on the Secretariat’s Office of Counter-Terrorism. We take this opportunity to express our support for the efforts of the Office, led by Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov. Qatar reiterates its commitment to the implementation of the Global Strategy. We shall fully comply with its commitments under the international instruments and Security Council resolutions pertaining to counter terrorism and its funding. We reconfirm our firm condemnation of terrorism in all its forms wherever and by whomever, regardless of its motives. The State of Qatar is taking effective actions at every level to eradicate terrorism and its root causes, as well as prevent terrorism and violent extremism. The State of Qatar has adopted a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism, in line with the four pillars of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, to address all aspects of this scourge. The State of Qatar is a front-line partner in international efforts to combat terrorism at the military, financial and legal levels. We also focus on strengthening efforts to eradicate the conditions that give rise to terrorism and terrorist groups, such as security vacuums and policies of injustice, tyranny, oppression, marginalization and discrimination. We do so by supporting technical capacities to prevent violent extremism leading to terrorism. Having recognized the importance of prevention, the State of Qatar has adopted a comprehensive approach to strengthening the culture of peace, tolerance and dialogue among civilizations, cultures and religions. We host several moderate intellectual centres in the region and encourage freedom of expression and freedom of the press to combat all attempts to use the fight against terrorism as a pretext for political purposes. The State of Qatar also participated in the June 2016 General Assembly meeting on protecting children and youth affected by violent extremism. We have also launched specific initiatives to support education and employment for young people in order to ensure that they are not drawn to extremism and terrorism. A memorandum of understanding was signed between Silatech and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism to provide job opportunities for young people in accordance with the Global Strategy. Resolution 72/284 stresses the importance of education as a tool to prevent terrorism and violent extremism. I would therefore like to highlight the Educate a Child programme, launched by the Education Above All Foundation, which recently announced that it had achieved its goal to re-enrol 10 million children in schools around the world. The State of Qatar is one of the founders of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, which attaches particular importance to the prevention of violent extremism. The State of Qatar is considered one of the biggest contributors to this fund. The resolution underscores the importance of strengthening international and regional cooperation to counter and prevent terrorism. In that regard, the State of Qatar works within the framework of relevant international organizations and platforms, including the Financial Action Group, the International Monetary Fund and the Global Counterterrorism Forum. We are an active member of the Global Coalition against Da’esh. The engagement by the State of Qatar is also visible in its support to the United Nations. For example, we recently supported the study on the link between trafficking in human beings and the financing of terrorism, conducted by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate within the context of implementing Security Council resolution 2331 (2016). We have also signed many conventions and bilateral memorandums of understanding with friendly countries around the world, including the United States, China and France. We believe that eliminating this cross-border scourge requires collective cooperation and efforts. At the national level, the State of Qatar continues to strengthen national counter-terrorism legislation so that it can meet the emerging challenges, developments and United Nations resolutions on the subject. In addition, we recently adopted a new system for listing terrorists and new rules for identifying terrorists and sources of terrorist funding. In conclusion, the State of Qatar reiterates its commitment to working with all United Nations counter-terrorism entities and will support them so that they can fully discharge their mandates and help Member States to combat the scourge of terrorism.

The Philippines welcomes the adoption by consensus of resolution 72/284, the sixth on the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. We extend our appreciation to the Permanent Representatives of Finland and Jordan and their teams for their tireless efforts in facilitating the resolution, and we thank the Secretary-General for his report and recommendations (A/72/840). The Philippines values the Strategy as it advocates the necessity of developing a broad United Nations global counter-terrorism strategy, as shown by its focus on the following aspects. First, it is broadening counter-terrorism efforts by highlighting the growing nexus between transnational criminal organizations, especially the drug trade, and terrorist groups, as well as by increasing interfaith dialogue. Secondly, the Stategy seeks to engage more actors  — not just States and international and regional organizations, but also private stakeholders, non-partisan non-governmental organizations (NGOs), peaceful religious bodies and youth, who are the most susceptible to terrorist recruitment — to prevent radicalization, to interdict terrorist financing, especially through the drug trade, to stop the enlistment of foreign terrorist fighters and to strengthen legal and financial institutions. Thirdly, it emphasizes the weaponization of the Internet and social media in terrorist recruitment as integral to the communication of their message of violence and the crowdsourcing of funds. Fourthly, it affirms the importance of human rights and international humanitarian law, so that the fight against terrorism is always carried out effectively, by returning fire but without the careless disregard for human rights that recruits their replacements. Those issues resonate in my country because of Marawi — a Muslim-majority city in central Mindanao that was attacked in May 2017 by hundreds of men belonging to a Da’esh-inspired terrorist organization called the Maute Group. The attack is arguably the most destructive act of terrorism in my country’s history. It caused an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with around 200,000 persons displaced by the fighting. Fortunately, most were absorbed by the Philippine culture of hospitality. Peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims is what it has been for centuries. Catholicism’s holiest sites are adjacent to Islam’s in the capital of Manila and elsewhere; a person’s religion is no one’s concern but their own. Marawi in particular stood out in that mutually tolerant and harmonious regard, which is why the terrorists chose it to stake out their first presence in my country. Had they succeeded there, they would have better chances elsewhere. They failed. In a textbook-perfect military victory, more than 1,000 of them were killed, to 165 of our brave soldiers. Marawi illustrates the intimate and symbiotic relationship between terrorism and the illegal drug trade. The poor are not terrorists but are their victims. With drug money, the terrorists were able to gather together a motley assortment of extremists, criminals, mercenaries and foreign fighters to take control of Marawi and re-establish in our part of the world their shattered Middle East caliphate. The Philippines condemns terrorism anywhere in the world, however inspired, be it by religious madness or individual perversity. We abhor it in all its manifestations, wherever, by whomever, against whomever committed and whatever the excuse. We do not accept poverty as an excuse. The Philippines addresses violent extremism through a whole-of-nation approach. We engage women, youth, Muslim and Christian leaders and teachers, non-partisan NGOs, academia and the private sector as partners in counter-radicalization and as a collective force for moderation, peace, democracy and development. We raise the security awareness of local communities and implement community awareness. We target radical programmes within the framework of the rule of law and human rights as the fundamental complement of combat in counter-terrorism. We continue to train law-enforcement and security experts to increase their capacity, in partnership with grass- roots connections, to detect and stop threats from homegrown extremists. Terrorism is an evil so pure it must be countered with means that are sure — a global effort against terror on every front, by every society worthy to be called a society and not a gang. Terrorism is a global problem no country can tackle alone. President Rodrigo Duterte understands that. Counter-terrorism is a cornerstone of his national agenda, and that includes strengthening cooperation with our regional partners, especially Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as Australia and the United States, so that the Philippines can have a more effective defence system to crush terrorism when it will not be deterred. The fight against terrorism should unite us all. Foreign terrorist operations do not recognize borders, and the complexity and reach of the threat they pose have expanded. Every civilized society they destroy is a platform for the destruction of another. To put a stop to them, Member States must work together. International cooperation must cover the whole range of the counter- terrorism spectrum, from border control to countering the narratives of violent extremism, always with the objective of fighting it flat out. That is what the Strategy provides. For the Strategy to be effective, the United Nations and its institutional architecture must not be just comprehensive, but coherent and coordinated and not waste time talking. The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism must work closely with the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate and the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, always ensuring respect for national ownership and national priorities. No one can know better than a country how its particular terrorist threat must be addressed. That is one area where there are no experts outside those who are fighting it in country.

The scourge of terrorism continues to pose a real threat to international peace and security. Deadly daily plots and attacks remind us how important it is to remain united, coherent and committed to building resilient societies and enhancing international cooperation. Our experience shows us that no country is immune to or protected from this global threat. Today, as we are reviewing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, it is our aim to take stock of the development of the threat of terrorism over two years. In that regard, the role of the United Nations is essential as a platform of discussion and as a provider of guidance and capacity-building to Member States. We extend our thanks and gratitude to the Ambassadors of Jordan and Finland, co-facilitators, and their teams for their tireless efforts and their resolve to lead us to the consensual adoption of resolution 72/284, as well as to the Secretariat for the clarification provided through the negotiating process. Tunisia attaches great importance to the balanced implementation of the Strategy across its four pillars and will remain committed to keeping the Global Strategy a fit-for-purpose instrument and ensure its full implementation. While we acknowledge with appreciation the consensual adoption of the resolution as a reasonable way forward for the Strategy, my delegation would like to highlight some points. First, terrorism is a global threat that is fundamentally and ultimately best addressed at the regional level. There are linkages between transnational organized crime and terrorism, and they deserve to be incorporated into the text of the resolution. It is unfortunate that the growing concerns expressed by Member States regarding that phenomenon and the action-oriented proposals that were elaborated to enhance the role of Member States and international non-governmental organizations were not reflected, especially given that the fifth review resolution mirrored that issue poorly. Regional actions are key to preventing the spread of that phenomenon. A contextualized answer is essential for an effective response. Secondly, whole-of-Government and whole-of- society policies to tackle the threat of terrorism and promote the participation of communities and civil society in strengthening prevention agendas are essential for comprehensive national policies. The critical role of women in that endeavour is undeniable. Hence, we wished to have further references to the efforts that should be devoted to coming up with a gender- sensitive approach by deploying more concerted efforts to mainstream gender throughout the United Nation system and to build thecapacities of Member States to advance their role in the fight against terrorism. Thirdly, since the 2016 review, the threat has not diminished. Mindful of the situation, we commend the adoption of the paragraphs that mirror Member States’ concern with regard to the flow of foreign terrorist fighters, returnees and relocators and the use of technology for terrorist purposes and counter- narratives, while we continue upholding our obligation enshrined in different international legal instruments, including human rights law, humanitarian law and refugee law. Fourthly, leveraging the importance of technical assistance for Member States upon their request is one of the key elements to further advance national systems that would ultimately strengthen the international response in tackling terrorism and promoting the prevention of violent extremism, as and when conducive to terrorism agendas. Fifthly, my delegation looks forward to periodic detailed briefings to be provided by Under-Secretary- General Vladimir Voronkov regarding progress made in the implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, which we welcome with appreciation, including the matrix of projects conducted under its umbrella. My delegation actively supported the establishment of the Office of Counter-Terrorism. It was time to enshrine a whole-of-United Nations approach through the action of one Office dedicated to bringing more coherence and transparency to the United Nations activities in countering and preventing terrorism. We look forward to the high-level meeting of heads of intelligence agencies for constructive discussions and thorough exchanges. It is, indeed, practical action that will galvanize the membership commitments in the global fight against terrorism.

While I fully align myself with the statement delivered earlier by the observer of the European Union, I would like to make the following comments on the subject. At the outset, let me join previous speakers in commending the dedicated efforts of Jordan and Finland, as co-facilitators of the sixth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, to produce the best deal possible for reaching consensus on the matter. We welcome today’s adoption of resolution 72/284, which reflects the recent developments in fostering the counter-terrorism architecture and offers ways to enhance the implementation of Member States’ obligations under all four pillars of the Strategy. At the same time, we note that despite intensive negotiations, a number of important elements — in particular related to the engagement of civil society and the role of women and youth in counter-terrorism efforts — were partially included in the document at the end. To date, the Strategy remains a milestone framework for international efforts in the field of countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including through tackling the root causes and conditions conducive to the spread of this phenomenon. Terrorism and violent extremism have become major challenges to international peace and security, threatening our core values and principles, including human rights, the rule of law, democracy, equal opportunity and freedom. The sixth review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy is taking place against the backdrop of the continuously evolving threats and trends in international terrorism. Moreover, there have been several confirmed cases of the use of chemical weapons by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham, which means that terrorists acquiring a weapon of mass destruction is no longer a hypothetical scenario. On the other hand, the current momentum is also an opportunity to take stock of all the achievements and new counter-terrorism tools that were developed in 2016 and 2017. It is fitting that during the past two years such issues as combating the financing of terrorism, depriving terrorists of weapons and supplies, preventing violent extremism, the return of foreign terrorist fighters from conflict zones, suppressing terrorist propaganda, protecting critical infrastructure and strengthening aviation security, to name but a few, have been put high on the global agenda. In addition, since the fifth review of the Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the reform process of the United Nations counter-terrorism architecture has been launched with a view to enhancing coordination and coherence among the relevant entities. In today’s resolution, we reconfirmed once again our respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and unity of all States, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We urge all Member States to fully observe those fundamental principles and to follow their commitments under the Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We also reaffirmed that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomever committed. In that regard, combating the growing proliferation of State-sponsored terrorism is essential for the success of the global counter-terrorism efforts. I cannot but mention that this particular issue continues to be of high importance for my country. For more than four years, a broad range of hybrid warfare techniques have been employed to promote the ideology of the so-called Russian world, which implies an exclusive role for the Russian Federation in the internal affairs of a number of sovereign States, including Ukraine. The Russian ideology not only tolerates but encourages the violation of international law and perpetration of the most serious crimes, including terrorist acts. Fierce, deceitful propaganda disseminated by the State-controlled Russian media is one of the key elements of the ongoing hybrid aggression against my country. Guided by that ideology, as well as under the direct support of Russia, deadly terrorist attacks have been carried out in many Ukrainian cities. The shocking reality is that foreign terrorist fighters, primarily from the aggressor State, constitute a significant part of the approximately 40,000-strong illegal armed groups fighting against the Government of Ukraine in Donbass. The reports of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine and the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine confirm the continuous inflow of ammunition, weaponry and fighters from the Russian Federation into the occupied territories of Ukraine. Moreover, the Russian media and nationalist circles glorify Russian terrorist fighters as they depart for Ukraine and return, instead of calling for their prosecution. I wish to recall that on 24 May the Joint Investigation Team examining the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 determined that the Buk missile system, which downed the civilian plane, was transferred to illegal armed groups in the Donetsk region of Ukraine by the Russian 53rd anti-aircraft military brigade through the uncontrolled segment of the State border. With that and other Russian support, those groups attacked Flight MH-17, taking nearly 300 innocent lives. They unleashed deadly barrages of rocket fire on Ukrainian cities, including the assaults on a checkpoint near Volnovakha and residential neighbourhoods in Kramatorsk, Mariupol and Avdiivka, and they planted bombs that ripped through patriotic marches, popular public places and other peaceful locations. Those terrible terrorist acts and all crimes against humanity must be resolutely condemned and punished. The sanctions imposed on the aggressor State should be maintained and strengthened, and the perpetrators brought to justice. Therefore, on 12 June, Ukraine submitted its memorial to the International Court of Justice documenting serious violations of international law by the Russian Federation. In our memorial, we demanded that Russia cease its violations of the Terrorist Financing Convention and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. In conclusion, I would like to stress that in recent decades the international community has made remarkable achievements in adopting legally binding instruments on countering terrorism. However, more should be done to ensure their full and uncompromising implementation and to end impunity for blatant violations of international law.

At the outset, my delegation would like to express its profound gratitude to the Permanent Representatives of Finland and Jordan for leading a fair and transparent consultative process for the review of the United National Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. We congratulate them on the consensual adoption of resolution 72/284 today. We also appreciate the constructive spirit with which delegations approached the negotiations. Indeed, the twelfth anniversary of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy demanded a strong and united message against terrorism. It is gratifying that we were able to deliver one. My delegation associates itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (see A/72/PV.101). The resolution we adopted today does not by any means end our journey; it is but a milestone. We have a long way to go. The scourge of terrorism continues to morph, and among the many security threats endangering global security, it continues to be the most complex and the most imposing challenge of our times. The updated Strategy underscores our collective determination to continue to pursue our recommendations across the four pillars of the Strategy. My country condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirms its unequivocal commitment to fighting this battle, whatever the cost. My country has already made enormous sacrifices in this battle, sacrifices that we know are not in vain. That commitment was also reflected in the constructive spirit with which my delegation engaged in the review process. It is also the reason we joined the consensus on the resolution today. We will continue to strive to strengthen our joint commitment to address the conditions conducive to terrorism, including the internal and external drivers of terrorism, in a balanced manner. It is therefore critical that Member States reaffirm their determination to address some of the most pervasive root causes of terrorism, including the resolution of conflicts, both long-standing, protracted ones and newer ones. That means addressing issues such as ending foreign occupation; allowing for the exercise of the right to self-determination, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations; eliminating all forms of discrimination, including xenophobia and Islamophobia; and discouraging and deterring unilateral measures that violate the Charter. The resolution we have adopted today clearly notes that when counter-terrorism efforts sidestep the rule of law at the national and international levels and violate international law, including the Charter, international humanitarian law and fundamental freedoms, they not only betray the values they seek to uphold, but can also end up fuelling terrorism. Another important issue that remained at the core of the discussions this year was the concept of preventing violent extremism. Two years ago, when the General Assembly unanimously agreed to implement measures to curb what at that time was deemed the new phenomenon of violent extremism, it was expected that with time we would be able to remove the confusion about what exactly that entailed. However, during this period we witnessed new programmes and mandates generated under the pretext of preventing violent extremism that seek to reform and reconstruct societies. That approach, though tempting for some, needs to be more thoroughly evaluated — or rather, re-evaluated. We have all agreed to implement measures to prevent terrorism, but States have the sovereign right to evolve and take preventive measures, based on their local conditions and priorities. As the 2016 report of the Secretary-General on preventing violent extremism (A/70/674) notes, our understanding of violent extremism has been shaped by our experiences of dealing with terrorism, and that varies widely. With that in mind, Pakistan proposed ideas to clarify the concept of violent extremism. While those ideas were supported by many delegations, it is unfortunate that we were not able to achieve the desired progress. Few countries can match the national efforts of my country in countering terrorism. Fewer still can match our sacrifices. Our law-enforcement operations have achieved significant, even dramatic, results by those efforts. As a consequence, terrorist incidents in Pakistan are now at their lowest compared with any point over the last decade. Simultaneously, we have also organized our efforts into a national action plan to counter terrorism. Each action point is coordinated by a ministerial-level committee. Recently, Pakistan announced a comprehensive national counter- extremism policy, which seeks to introduce preventive measures with a whole-of-society and a whole-of- Government approach. Last year, religious scholars, or ulema, in my country issued a religious edict, or fatwa, condemning terrorism and particularly condemning suicide bombings anywhere in the world. Our actions regarding the promotion and protection of women’s rights, special emphasis on harnessing the potential of youth, education reforms, capacity-building of our law-enforcement agencies, economic development programmes and special assistance packages for victims of terrorism are fully aligned with the United National Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. In conclusion, I wish to state that, based on our valuable experience in the counter-terrorism domain, we look forward to partnering with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate to find avenues to share our experiences and best practices with other Member States. We believe such partnerships will contribute constructively toenhancing the capability of the United Nations system to better meet the expectations of Member States. Finally, let me assure the Assembly of Pakistan’s continued and tireless efforts to counter and prevent terrorism and of our constructive engagement with Member States to further refine the consensual normative framework on countering terrorism.

The Chinese delegation welcomes the Assembly’s adoption by consensus at its seventy-second session of resolution 72/284, on the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy review. We thank the co-facilitators, the Permanent Representatives of Jordan and Finland, and their teams for their tireless efforts, and the Secretariat and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism for their firm support. Based on a broad consensus among Member States in the spirit of supporting counter-terrorism, the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy is extremely important. China participated actively in the consultations on the resolution on the sixth review and supported and facilitated the resolution’s adoption by consensus. Terrorism continues to pose major threats and unprecedented challenges to international peace, security and development. No country is immune to its challenges or able to tackle them alone. The international community should therefore foster a sense of a shared future for humankind while working together to forge consensus and counter terrorism, humankind’s shared public enemy. With regard to the further balanced implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, China believes that we should uphold the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and our shared norms on terrorism, and support the central coordinating role that the United Nations plays and the principle of country leadership. We should accord preventing and countering terrorism equal importance; focus on enhancing capacity- building and counter-terrorism for Member States, especially developing countries; embrace and practice the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security; and maintain an international environment characterized by peace, stability and sustainable development with a view to eradicating breeding grounds for terrorism. China will continue to advance and participate actively in international cooperation in connection with counter-terrorism and will further implement the Strategy and the relevant General Assembly resolutions. China stands ready to work with all other countries to tackle the threats posed by terrorism and maintain world peace and stability.

Chile joins others in supporting the Assembly’s adoption of resolution 72/284, on the sixth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We would like to take this opportunity to affirm our unwavering commitment to the Strategy and its four pillars and reiterate our firm condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomever committed and regardless of motive. We would like to thank the co-facilitators, the Permanent Representatives of Finland and Jordan, as well as their teams and the coordinators of the thematic subgroups, for their dedication, patience and hard work, all of which have enabled us to come up with a comprehensive, consensus text that sends a clear message from the international community against terrorism, a problem that is a threat to the fundamental values ​of every civilization and culture and therefore to international peace and security. For my country, protecting human rights is an essential element in the fight against terrorism. We believe that all efforts and measures by Member States in this area must always comply with their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law and the rule of law. The rapid and ongoing evolution of violent extremism and terrorism compels us to renew our commitment to the Global Strategy and adapt it to current needs and trends every two years. At the same time, we must always reaffirm the basic principles governing the fight against this scourge — to which Chile fully subscribes — such as the belief that terrorism cannot be associated with a particular religion, nationality or ethnic group; the importance of international cooperation in improving States’ capacity to implement the Strategy; and the participation of civil society, the private sector and various specific sectors of society, such as women and young people, whose participation is essential to ensuring a multidimensional approach to this work. In that context, we should highlight the progress tht has been made in involving women in the Strategy’s implementation. The gender perspective is a vital and cross-cutting ingredient in addressing the socioeconomic conditions that foster radicalization and acts of violent extremism. Chile favours preventive measures for combating terrorism, and we therefore encourage efforts to counter violent extremism as a strategy for addressing the underlying causes of terrorism and preventing radicalization, especially of young people. Given its cross-cutting nature, the prevention of violent extremism spans the four pillars of the Global Strategy and contributes to their balanced implementation. In that regard, we support the work of Jordan and Norway as co-Chairs of the Group of Friends of Preventing Violent Extremism, in our firm belief in the link between violent extremism and terrorism and its consequences for global security. Chile supports the initiatives set out in resolution 72/284 aimed at providing United Nations counter-terrorism agencies, especially the Office for Counter-Terrorism, with resources adequate to the enforcement of its mandate and to helping Member States fully implement the Strategy in a balanced way. Ensuring the Office’s coherence with the rest of the system should be central to our collective efforts to address terrorism based on the three pillars of the United Nations — international peace and security, sustainable development and full respect for human rights. Lastly, we urge all States to redouble their efforts to implement the Strategy and enforce the Security Council’s sanctions on Da’esh, Al-Qaida and the Taliban, which are a complementary and essential part of the work of the international community to stop the financing of terrorist groups and prevent acts that would threaten international peace and security.

On behalf of Singapore, I am pleased to address the General Assembly on agenda item 118, on the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. We thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report (A/72/840) on the issue. We would also like to thank Ambassadors Kai Sauer and Sima Sami Bahous and their teams for their excellent work in co-facilitating the sixth review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. In particular, we thank them for their efforts to reach out to delegations in the course of the consultations, which were conducted in an open and inclusive manner. We also wish to put on record our appreciation to the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism for its assistance and support throughout consultations. The scourge of terrorism remains a serious and persistent threat to global peace and security and is one of the most profound challenges of our time. No country is immune to it, and no country can address that challenge alone. My delegation therefore reaffirms the importance of the Strategy as a unique global instrument that enhances national, regional and international efforts to counter terrorism. We would like to make five points on the occasion of this sixth review of the Strategy. First, Singapore is pleased that this year’s version of the resolution on the Strategy has once again been adopted by consensus, as resolution 72/284. It will be critical to ensure that the United Nations sends a clear and unified message of its collective resolve to address this global threat. We need a strong, sustained and coordinated global response to combat terrorism. While each country must do its part in that fight, taking into account its local context and national legal framework, a concerted and coordinated approach is important to ensure that there are no gaps in our efforts. Secondly, we emphasize the need for the resolution to continue to give equal recognition to all four pillars of the Strategy, in line with the fact that the Strategy must be implemented in an integrated and balanced manner in all its aspects. Thirdly, we welcome the new language in the resolution on foreign terrorist fighters. Even when terrorist groups are territorially defeated, their ideological roots can remain pervasive, and the issue of returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters is a global problem that requires greater and more effective international cooperation. In particular, we need to continue to share intelligence, best practices and lessons learned. That brings me to my fourth point, which is to welcome the first United Nations high-level conference of heads of counter-terrorism agencies of Member States, to be held in New York on 28 and 29 June. It is an excellent opportunity for such agencies to forge new partnerships, which can help to improve the communication channels through which critical information can be exchanged in a timely and secure manner. Finally, I would like to end by emphasizing the importance of a strong community response as the first line of defence. Terrorism cannot be defeated by Government efforts alone. Rather, a whole-of-society approach in countering violent extremism and terrorism is required. For that reason, Singapore has established its SGSecure movement to sensitize, train and mobilize our community in the fight against terror. We continue to work hand in hand with religious and interfaith organizations to counteract the spread of extremist ideologies, including through deradicalization programmes for rehabilitating and counselling individuals indoctrinated by radical ideology. Singapore reaffirms its commitment to the fight against terrorism. We firmly believe that this latest review of the Strategy will strengthen the global response against a serious and evolving threat.

We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item for this meeting. We will hear the remaining speakers tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. in this Hall.