S/PV.6390 Security Council

I thank you, Sir, for your very kind, warm words. I also thank the Turkish presidency of the Security Council for its initiative in convening this debate, and I extend a warm welcome to His Excellency Foreign Minister Davutoğlu. I also warmly welcome the other ministers who are participating in this very important meeting of the Council. Terrorism poses a grave threat to international peace and security. Many of the countries represented around this table have first-hand experience of this menace. There have been so many attacks, lives lost and families destroyed. The United Nations has been targeted, too, from Iraq to Pakistan and Algeria to Afghanistan. Terrorism may be a gathering storm, but the international response is gathering steam. Over the past five years, the United Nations has expanded its counter-terrorism activities, increased inter-agency coordination and enhanced partnerships with a wide range of international and regional organizations. Joint initiatives with Member States in many regions — including the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, the Middle East and South and Central Asia — have shown that there is much we can do. Countering terrorism demands a broad approach. First, we must continue our efforts in the fields of security and law enforcement. That includes measures to further deprive terrorists of financial resources and mobility, and to prevent them from acquiring and using weapons of mass destruction. Secondly, other areas deserve more attention. Education, development, intercultural dialogue and conflict prevention all have growing relevance in addressing conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism. Thirdly, we must do more to better understand the reasons people are drawn to violence so that we can do more to prevent others from following that path. Fourthly, we need to continue strengthening the legal regime, building on existing international counter-terrorism instruments and relevant resolutions of the Security Council. The value of these measures and of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy lies in their consistent and equal implementation. Fifthly, we must improve the way we share information and best practices. That means establishing national focal points and regional networks and mobilizing civil society, the private sector and the media. No counter-terrorism approach would be complete without a full commitment to human rights and the rule of law. Both the Security Council and the General Assembly have consistently endorsed the protection of human rights as an integral component of any effective counter-terrorism policy, and I welcome the attention the Council has devoted to this topic. Several States — including those that have been victimized by terrorism — are eager to implement their obligations under the counter-terrorism frameworks but lack the resources and other capacities to do so. Capacity-building is therefore a priority for the United Nations. Considering the gravity of the situation in the Sahel-Maghreb region, I am committed to working with the region’s leaders on strengthening State capacity for counter-terrorism. In Central Asia, the United Nations is already working on capacity-building in the areas of law enforcement, criminal justice and international cooperation. I would also like to stress the importance of supporting victims of terrorism. It will be recalled that two years ago we held a very moving seminar here at Headquarters at which many victims of terrorism spoke about their experiences. On 8 October, again here at the United Nations, we will screen “Killing in the Name”, a documentary that not only highlights the plight of terrorism’s victims but also, we hope, will help empower them and others towards greater levels of engagement in bringing an end to such crimes. With respect to the Security Council itself, I welcome the enhanced coordination between the Council’s subsidiary organs and partner entities in the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force. All of us should broaden engagement with bodies that deal with measures listed under pillar 1 of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, such as the Alliance of Civilizations. The Alliance is a central part of the United Nations response to extremism and intolerance, and a necessary voice of moderation to counter the incitement and hatred that are such prominent parts of terrorism’s playbook. No cause or grievance can justify terrorism. Let me stress again the determination of the United Nations to rise to a global, cross-border challenge that seeks to do such harm to us all.

I thank the Secretary-General for his statement. Before giving the floor to members of the Council, I should like to recognize the achievements of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and Associated Individuals and Entities in recent years, under the able chairmanship of Austria, and the valuable contributions of the Monitoring Team, including the successful conduct of the review of the consolidated list. I now invite His Excellency Mr. Michael Spindelegger, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria, to take the floor.

Horrible acts of terrorism occur almost every day. Hardly any part of the world is spared. Terrorism knows no borders. No country is immune. No country, how big or small, can succeed unilaterally. Terrorism can be combated effectively only in a global multilateral framework. The United Nations must be at the centre of our joint efforts to counter terrorism. I would like to thank Turkey and you personally, Mr. President, for presiding over today’s meeting. I also thank the Secretary-General for his briefing. Austria fully supports the draft presidential statement to be adopted today, which sends a strong message of the Council’s determination to combat the scourge of terrorism. The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy provides the first universally agreed strategic framework for combating terrorism in a holistic and integrated manner. The success of the Strategy will depend on its implementation through concrete measures. A few weeks ago, the General Assembly completed the second review of the implementation of the Strategy. Some progress has been achieved, but much more needs to be done to make the Strategy more widely known and to implement it worldwide. In order to better link the efforts of Member States in this regard, in October 2009, together with Switzerland, Turkey, Norway and other partners, Austria co-sponsored the first International Workshop of National Counter-Terrorism Focal Points in Vienna. Coordination and cooperation are key to the success of our counter-terrorism efforts. Member States; United Nations organs and entities, including the Security Council and the General Assembly; other international, regional and subregional organizations; as well as civil society and the private sector must all work together in a coordinated manner. We encourage the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force to continue its efforts to ensure overall coordination and coherence in the counter-terrorism efforts of the United Nations system. Austria calls upon the Security Council and its three committees and expert groups dealing with counter-terrorism to look at ways in which to better support the work of the Task Force, incorporate the Strategy into their work, and coordinate their activities in a transparent and effective manner. It is Austria’s firm belief that respect for human rights and the rule of law is a fundamental basis of all efforts to combat terrorism. We all must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism comply with our obligations under international law, in particular human rights law, refugee law and international humanitarian law. The development of an effective and rule of law-based national system of law enforcement and criminal justice is an essential element to prevent terrorist acts and to bring terrorists to justice. In this context, we commend the work of the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which provides technical assistance in legal and related aspects of counter-terrorism. Austria is also committed to promoting the rule of law in the daily work of the Council and its subsidiary bodies. In particular, as chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and Associated Individuals and Entities, Austria has worked intensively to enhance due process and fair and clear procedures. This year, the Committee concluded the two-year review of its consolidated list. Of the 488 list entries examined, hundreds were updated and almost 10 per cent removed. The recent appointment of Ms. Kimberly Prost as first Ombudsperson to receive de-listing requests in accordance with resolution 1904 (2009) constitutes another major step forward. These steps will contribute to promoting the fairness and effectiveness of the work of the Al-Qaida/Taliban Committee. However, further efforts will be necessary to improve fair and clear procedures, in particular with regard to other sanctions regimes. Austria commends the progress of the Counter- Terrorism Committee (CTC) in addressing human rights issues of relevance to resolution 1373 (2001). However, there are still serious challenges to implementing effective counter-terrorism measures within a rule of law framework. In this regard, we call for the development of best practices and guidelines to ensure that all States adopt consistent approaches in the field of human rights and counter-terrorism. A pro-active approach of the CTC in this field is key to its credibility and long-term success. The upcoming renewal of the mandate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) will provide an opportunity to affirm this commitment. In the context of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), at the comprehensive review in October 2009 Austria spearheaded an initiative to raise awareness of the need for strict respect of the rule of law, due process standards and the protection of human rights in the implementation and enforcement of resolution 1540 (2004). Austria also plans to host a meeting with international and regional organizations relevant to resolution 1540 (2004) in Vienna on 15 and 16 December this year. It is our firm conviction that we will be successful only in combating terrorism in the long term if we address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism. We must win the hearts of the people through dialogue and mutual trust. In this regard, we highly commend the role of the Alliance of Civilizations, led by Turkey and Spain. Austria is proud to host the Fifth Annual Forum, given our long tradition as a platform for dialogue, cooperation and peace. As part of our dialogue initiatives to promote trust and understanding among people of different religions and cultures, in November 2010 Austria will launch the first Arab-European Young Leaders Forum, which will bring together emerging leaders from politics, civil society, business and the environmental sector in the European Union, Turkey and the Arab world to discuss ways to implement responsible leadership. In conclusion, Austria once again welcomes today’s meeting, which underlines the United Nations central role in countering terrorism and sends a strong message that we all stand united to overcome the global threat of terrorism.

I now invite the Honourable Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State of the United States of America, to take the floor.

I thank you, Sir, for the leadership that you and Turkey have shown this year as Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee. I also thank you for bringing us here today to focus on what is a shared mission to combat terrorism and violent extremism. We are called to this mission as individual nations and as a community of nations to protect our citizens, strengthen our security, foster stability in unstable places and help to create the conditions for long-term progress. I want to thank the Secretary-General and his staff here at the United Nations, because after all the United Nations is our premier forum and is valuable for sharing best practices and helping nations that struggle with terrorism to build their capacity to respond to threats. The United Nations has recently taken steps to advance these goals by integrating counter-terrorism throughout its work to address peace and security challenges worldwide, while at the same time promoting transparency and improving coordination within the United Nations system and with the national counter-terrorism teams on the ground in communities around the world. I want to speak briefly about the progress made with one critical counter-terrorism tool — the sanctions list of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and Associated Individuals and Entities. This list must evolve as the threat posed by these groups evolves, so we are pleased that the 1267 Committee actively updates the list. So far this year, 45 names have been removed and 17 have been added. We commend the Committee for creating the post of Ombudsperson to receive petitions for individuals and entities that want to be de-listed. We applaud the inclusion of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and its leaders on the list, and we encourage Member States to provide regular updates to the Committee to ensure that the list remains accurate. This regime, as with all of our joint efforts, is only as strong as our shared commitment. Today, let me emphasize that the United States is committed to working through multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, to confront the threats posed. We are also committed to strengthening this multilateral architecture. We believe that it can do better, so although we are very supportive we want to work with all here to improve it, since we also believe that countering terrorism is not a task that any country achieves on its own. It is a global challenge. It calls for all nations to be vigilant and creative, as well as receptive to new ideas, willing to set aside failed strategies, and be open with each other about the threats we face and how we are addressing them. We are far more likely to succeed in thwarting terrorist networks like Al-Qaida and its syndicate of organizations if we work together to track their actions, share intelligence, disrupt their schemes, and put their leaders out of action. These groups have a global view, and we must have one too. That begins with a shared understanding of the big picture. Counter-terrorism demands a comprehensive approach, as reflected in the draft presidential statement that will be adopted at the conclusion of today’s meeting. Therefore, we need intelligence operations capable of discovering terror plots, military and law enforcement officers trained and ready to stop them, border control officials who can spot potential dangers, justice systems that can fairly and effectively prosecute criminals, and corrections systems that can then detain those who have been arrest and/or convicted. We have to do more to develop these institutions and capacities and help each other by mobilizing expertise and resources. But, at the same time, and beyond these measures, we have to realize that countering terrorism means more than stopping terrorists. It means stopping people from becoming terrorists in the first place. That requires addressing the political, economic and social conditions that make people vulnerable to exploitation by extremists. For people whose lives are characterized by frustration or desperation, and for people who believe that their Governments are unresponsive or repressive, Al-Qaida and other groups may offer an appealing view, but it is a view rooted in destruction and we have to provide an alternative view that is rooted in hope, opportunity and possibility. That means enacting policies that create new opportunities for people to build a better future for themselves, strengthening our commitment to core values, particularly human rights and the rule of law. We cannot sacrifice those values in our zeal to stop terrorists. Our values are what make us different from those who are trying to tear down so much of the progress that has been made over the course of history — and I have to add, especially for women and girls. So as we work to defeat terrorists worldwide, we cannot abandon our values; we must defend them. Each of our countries represented around the Security Council table today has felt the impact of terrorism or violent extremism. Our citizens have been attacked and our cities threatened, and those threats will, unfortunately, continue. However, our determination to protect our people and our common humanity are greater than those who seek to harm us. I think that if we are smart and thorough in our approach and continue our work together, we can reduce and eventually end the threat of terrorism. I again thank both the Secretary-General, and in particular you, Mr. President, for pulling us together to talk about this today.

I now invite the Minister of External Relations of Brazil, His Excellency Ambassador Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim, to take the floor.

I would like to commend you, Minister Davutoğlu, and the Turkish presidency for convening this important debate on terrorism. I also want to thank the Secretary-General, with whose wise ideas we agree. I am also glad to see that there is a broad commonality of views on such an important topic. Terrorism is a scourge that haunts our time. There are no excuses for terrorist acts, which inflict suffering and fear indiscriminately. Brazil has always condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Our Constitution enshrines the repudiation of terrorism as a fundamental principle of our international relations. Brazil is a party to all relevant international conventions and protocols against terrorism. As a serious global threat, terrorism must be addressed with a holistic approach and full consideration of the complexity of its root causes. Violence and intolerance take root in an environment of long-standing social, political, economic and cultural injustices, to which reference has also been made today. Social and economic development, accompanied by an atmosphere of respect for the other, is the best antidote to terrorism. In combating terrorism, Brazil has a strong preference for truly multilateral agreements and arrangements. It is important to reinforce the capacity of the United Nations in this field. We fully support the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We appreciate the fact that the Strategy is inspired by a comprehensive perspective. We must guard against dangerous rhetoric and postures that fuel xenophobia and prejudice. Tolerance is key to avoiding violent polarization and extremism. Initiatives such as the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations can have a role in this regard. Our draft presidential statement appropriately refers to that. At a 2003 conference on combating terrorism held here in New York, President Lula stressed that the terrorists’ motivations cannot be countered only by repression, important as repression may be. Diplomatic initiatives based on international law are also essential. Brazil emphasizes the urgent need to conclude the negotiations of a United Nations comprehensive counter-terrorism convention, with special attention given to the relationship between organized crime and the financing of terrorism. There is also growing concern that terrorists might have access to weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear weapons. At the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington D.C. in April, President Lula reaffirmed that, without prejudice to the indispensable security measures that need to be taken, the most effective way to reduce the risks of nuclear devices falling into the wrong hands is the total and irreversible elimination of all nuclear arsenals. The Council has a unique role both in responding to and in preventing terrorism. Our strongest contribution to fighting terrorism would be to attain just and sustainable solutions to long-standing agenda items. Peacebuilding efforts can also help to avert the spread of radicalism in countries already affected by conflicts and social strife. Cooperation and capacity- building in relation to security measures, as well as broader information sharing, are very important. I reiterate Brazil’s full support of the initiatives undertaken by the Security Council’s committees to facilitate technical assistance to countries that request it. Brazil is ready to cooperate with other countries in this regard. It is our common duty to prevent and combat terrorism. Counter-terrorism strategies must be predicated on the rule of law and the full protection of the human rights of all involved. The full realization of universal human rights, including the right to development, must be an integral part of all efforts to combat the terrorist threat. For all these reasons, Brazil is fully committed to a coordinated and multidimensional response to all the challenges posed by terrorism. The United Nations should be at the forefront of this endeavour.

I now invite the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, His Excellency the Right Honourable Mr. William Hague, to take the floor.

I am very grateful to you, Mr. President, for organizing this important debate today and to the Secretary-General for being here with us. Terrorism remains one of the greatest challenges to international peace, stability and security, and therefore also to the development and prosperity of nations. The threat posed by international terrorism is evolving and becoming more diffuse, and our response to it as an international community must therefore evolve. We must stand together, building on the successful cooperation of the past to protect our own citizens and assist those of other regions where terrorism has found a foothold. While the United Nations efforts have been improving and should be commended, there is still scope, in our view, for better coordination among the various United Nations counter-terrorism bodies, and between the other parts of the United Nations system and Member States, to help Governments develop and implement their own counter-terrorism strategies. United Nations programmes to build the counter- terrorism capacity of Member States should complement bilateral efforts between Member States. The United Nations has a role to play in filling gaps that could otherwise be exploited by terrorists, their financiers and supporters. The fiscal constraints common to most countries in the wake of the financial crisis make it all the more important that we focus resources on assistance to the most vulnerable countries. In that regard, the threat emanating from the Afghan-Pakistan border remains our greatest long-term concern. The current situation could be exacerbated by the consequences of the devastating recent floods. We must therefore reinforce international support to the Government of Pakistan so that the instability and human misery of today do not become the recruiting sergeants of tomorrow. Terrorists will try to exploit disasters, instability, alienation and conflict wherever they can, seeking to harness poverty or political grievances to violent ends, and trying to justify the unjustifiable with specious social, economic and political arguments. So our efforts to alleviate suffering, reduce poverty, prevent conflict, keep and build peace, which are essential in and of themselves, also help undermine the ideology of violent extremism and deplete the ranks of Al-Qaida and other terrorist groups. The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, unanimously reaffirmed by the General Assembly earlier this month, recognizes the importance of addressing conditions conducive to terrorism. To that end, United Nations agencies, such as the United Nations Development Fund and UNESCO, must play full and active roles as members of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force. We have seen growth in the capability and ambition of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, and Al-Qaida-aligned extremists operating in East Africa. We must work with Governments and a range of partners in those regions to disrupt, contain and reduce the threat. Terrorists are adapting and becoming more opportunistic. The growing trend in kidnapping for ransom is one example of this. The United Kingdom Government believes that we must act to prevent kidnapping ransoms from becoming a significant source of terrorist finance. From our own experience of hostage situations, we understand how difficult kidnapping cases are, but it is dangerous to regard ransoms as a necessary evil or legitimate tool for resolving kidnappings. They encourage more kidnappings and fund murder. Major attacks can be mounted for only tens of thousands of dollars, so million-dollar ransoms can mean dozens of attacks. Resolution 1904 (2009), adopted last December, explicitly confirmed that it is illegal to pay ransoms to those whom this Council has sanctioned because of their connection to Al-Qaida or the Taliban, and we look to all countries to respect this resolution. We are here in part because of the terrible atrocities committed not far from this building just over nine years ago. Hardly any country in the world has been untouched by terrorism. The most lasting and devastating impact of terrorism is, of course, on victims, their families and communities. I am reminded of this each day; outside the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London stands a memorial to the 202 victims of the Bali bombings, including 28 British people who died that day. The United Nations can provide a platform for victims of terrorism from all over the world, to give them a voice and help others derive strength and inspiration from their courage. Their stories remind us that terrorism is an assault on all humanity. They are the most effective antidote to the peddlers of violent ideology and a spur to Governments around the world to make common cause against terrorism in all its forms. The United Kingdom will continue to stand absolutely firm in this endeavour.

I now invite His Excellency Mr. Paul Toungui, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and La Francophonie of the Gabonese Republic, to take the floor.

I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your initiative in organizing this important debate on counter-terrorism. We are aware of your commitment and that of your country in fighting this phenomenon. We welcome among us the presence of the Secretary- General, and I reaffirm the support of my country for his ongoing work for peace and security throughout the world. We endorse the draft presidential statement to be adopted at the end of the meeting. Terrorism is not only an attack on the life and dignity of the human being; it is also and above all a negation of civilization and can therefore never be justified. No cause, ideology or religion can serve as a pretext for the atrocities perpetrated throughout the world, including in Somalia, Uganda, India, Russia, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Sahel, to list only a few of the most recent examples. The tentacular structure of terrorism requires a strong and unified response from the international community. Since the adoption of resolutions 1373 (2001), 1267 (1999) and 1540 (2004), the United Nations has assumed its full responsibility to help Member States to effectively fight terrorism. I welcome the outstanding role played by Turkey, Austria and Mexico in guiding the work of the counter- terrorism committees. In adopting the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy in September 2006, States Members of our Organization reaffirmed their commitment to fighting international terrorism. This momentum should lead us to consolidate the legal framework and means for fighting this phenomenon. Hence, we must do our utmost to overcome the differences in approaches that stand in the way of the finalization of a comprehensive convention against international terrorism. Given that terrorism is a global threat, no nation small or large is safe from this scourge. At the same time, we see a distinct asymmetry between the methods of engagement and the global nature of the threat. In addition to the costs of the fight, the terrorists themselves are also engaged in increasingly sophisticated operations. I therefore call for a strengthening of the capacities of the developing countries, taking into account the specific needs and identified threats, especially in African countries. My country welcomed the Central African workshop organized in Libreville in June by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The workshop allowed us to learn about the international legal provisions applicable to illegal actions against the security of shipping and offshore oil rigs. Gabon has also adopted major security, financial and customs- excise measures, in synergy with the States of the subregion, to enhance preventive actions against the financing of terrorism. I will end by saying that our common action against terrorism must be in step with our commitments to respecting human rights and fighting poverty. Since counter-terrorism is a collective responsibility, my country reaffirms its commitment to contributing to the global effort to fight this odious international phenomenon.

I now invite His Excellency Mr. Henry Odein Ajumogobia, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to take the floor.

Mr. President, let me, too, begin by commending your initiative in convening this important and timely debate. Our conversation this morning no doubt builds on the meeting of 17 June 2010 held in Istanbul, which your Government also convened. I welcome the presence of the Secretary- General at this meeting and thank him for his illuminating statement. We welcome the significant progress that has been made in the global fight against terrorism since the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001), and we note in particular the commendable efforts of the Council’s three counter-terrorism committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004) in ensuring the full implementation of the relevant resolutions and improving their working methods and interactions with Member States. The most recent terrorist bombings in Mogadishu, in Vladikavkaz in Russia, in Zahedan in Iran and Kampala in Uganda, not to mention the scores of attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan, are stark reminders of the currency and enormity of the challenges of terrorism. We know now that the absence of effective counter-terrorism measures, compounded by weak legislative and financial controls and inadequate policing of lengthy maritime and porous land borders, provide a platform for terrorist activities. Indeed, countries with weak institutional capacity are the most vulnerable to infiltration by terrorism networks. In West Africa, the illicit but extensive trade in small arms and light weapons imported into the region by non-State actors, in collaboration with unscrupulous foreign arms producers and suppliers, facilitates terrorist activities. We therefore wish to reiterate our call for an effective international response, including the elaboration of an arms trade treaty to complement the Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as the activities of the ECOWAS Small Arms Unit. To support the implementation of international counter-terrorism resolutions, States would need to develop national legislative and institutional measures anchored in human rights, due process and the rule of law. Pursuant to this goal, the Nigerian Parliament is considering a bill on the prevention of terrorism that addresses these issues. We have also established a national focal point that comprises four counter- terrorism centres to strengthen our efforts to combat terrorism. We welcome in this context the efforts of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, through the Integrated Assistance for Countering Terrorism initiative, to support counter-terrorism activities in Nigeria. We commend the efforts of the Counter- Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) in facilitating the trilateral contacts among donors, international technical assistance providers and countries requiring such assistance. We support the continued collaboration and coordination of CTED with other United Nations agencies, within the framework of the Counter- Terrorism Implementation Task Force. CTED should explore additional means through which States and regional organizations could be assisted to deliver more on border controls, information exchanges and intelligence-led policing. We also commend the efforts of technical assistance providers that have collaborated with the countries of the West Africa subregion to combat terrorism. The fight against terrorism cannot be left to one country or region. It requires collective, concerted and coordinated global action for maximum effectiveness. Such an approach will require the Council to take into account measures to enhance the implementation of several counter-terrorism resolutions. Greater regional and international cooperation, as well as better coordination among relevant actors, should be promoted. The establishment of country-specific regional hubs as centres of focus is also a necessity. Needless to emphasize is the importance of cross- cutting institutions and self-sustaining transfers of knowledge aimed at bridging existing knowledge gaps. Of crucial importance is the need to address the capacity challenges of States and their institutions in an integrated manner, including measures to address the economic, social and political conditions conducive to the existence and spread of terrorism. The adoption of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy by the General Assembly was a positive development in that regard. We urge the Council not only to consider a similar approach, but also to support the elaboration of a comprehensive international convention on terrorism. The strong support provided by African Governments to global anti-terror campaigns needs to be strengthened by enhanced collaboration at both the bilateral and multilateral levels, in particular in the extradition and apprehension of African terrorists. I would like to conclude by reiterating our condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. I urge the international community to muster the necessary political will to confront the challenge, as nothing can justify the murder of innocents. We support the draft presidential statement that will be adopted at the end of this debate.

I now invite His Excellency Mr. Sam Kutesa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, to take the floor.

I thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this important debate. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his insightful briefing. The dreadful terrorist attacks around the world have continued to highlight the need for collective and resolute action to counter and eliminate this evolving threat to international peace and security. We have witnessed the indiscriminate impact of callous acts of terrorism on victims and their families in various countries. Terrorism is therefore a global threat. Uganda strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We reaffirm that all terrorist acts are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation and whoever may commit them. On 11 July, Uganda was the target of a cowardly attack by Al-Shabaab terrorists, which resulted in the death and injury of many people. That attack was a reminder of the need to stand up against terrorism even more firmly. The United Nations has made an important contribution to counter-terrorism efforts. It was significant that, in September 2006, the General Assembly adopted the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy to enhance national, regional and international efforts to counter terrorism. It was significant because that was the first time that States Members of the United Nations agreed to a common strategic approach to fighting terrorism. We consider the activities of the three counter- terrorism Committees valuable to the work of the Security Council. In particular, we commend them for their work in developing common strategies to advance the global fight against terrorism. In recent times, we have seen an increase in the sophistication of terrorist networks through their ability to exploit the benefits of information and communication technology, as well as linkages with the transnational criminal networks that finance their operations. Part of the emerging sophistication manifests itself in a symbiotic overlap of terrorist activities with such international criminal activities as money-laundering, human trafficking and drug trafficking. Our collective efforts should fundamentally aim at denying terrorists any haven, eradicating sources of terrorist financing, reducing State vulnerability and enhancing emergency preparedness and response capabilities. It is in so doing that we can preserve the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States and ensure the safety of our citizens. As terrorism and transnational criminal activities thrive on the same vulnerabilities and utilize very similar actors, it is necessary for the United Nations to support the implementation of counter-terrorism measures that sever the mutually reinforcing and symbiotic relationships that exist or may emerge. We are convinced that appropriately crafted counter-terrorism measures that deal with fundamental vulnerabilities, such as economic distress and weak State structures, can effectively deprive terrorists of havens and recruiting grounds and strengthen the ability of States to effectively counter terrorist threats. It is also important to give priority attention to prevention in the fight against terrorism. We need to ensure that our collective approach places emphasis on building national and regional capacities and facilitating cooperation among States. It is essential to put greater emphasis on fostering better information- sharing, operational planning and initiatives that strengthen regional counter-terrorism capabilities and cooperation. Uganda underscores the importance of closer cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations in counter-terrorism activities. We are convinced that such cooperation is an essential and a necessary approach to developing more effective counter-terrorism measures. In their collective resolve and determination to deal with this common threat, African countries have adopted instruments and decisions towards creating a common framework for preventing and combating terrorism. Members of the African Union (AU) acceded to the provisions of the 1999 Algiers Convention as a guiding principle in the collective quest to prevent and combat terrorism. The AU summit held in Kampala in July this year underscored the need for renewed efforts and increased mobilization on the continent to combat the scourge of terrorism. It also called on member States to implement enhanced measures for cooperation and coordination to boost the continent’s collective action against terrorism. Finally, countering terrorism is in the interest of all of us. We are convinced that by working together we can deal with the threat of terrorism. However, in our counter-terrorism efforts, we should demonstrate our individual and collective resolve to decisively prevent and combat terrorism for the peace and security of us all.

I invite His Excellency Mr. Gérard Araud, Permanent Representative of France, to take the floor.

I would of course like to thank the Turkish presidency of the Security Council for having organized this debate. We have all been or could be affected by terrorism, as France found several days ago with the kidnapping of five of its citizens in Niger. France would therefore like to see the United Nations play a greater role in combating terrorism. Much has already been done in that regard. Since 1963, we have adopted 16 international instruments on the subject. In the early 1990s, the Security Council began to address this issue, which poses a serious threat to international peace and security. A sanctions regime was imposed on Al-Qaida and the Taliban. Thanks to the willingness of Member States, we now have the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, for which the General Assembly has just reaffirmed its support. However, the character and aspects of the threat continue to change, given its complex roots specific to each regional situation. We refer here to roots and not to causes, much less to justifications. However, the international community should make no mistake about the fact that terrorism is inexcusable in every instance and circumstance. That principled position should not inhibit us from seeking to understand the roots of the phenomenon of terrorism so as to better adapt the tools we have developed to confront it. In that regard, I feel it important to underscore one of the most significant developments in terrorist networks that we have seen in some years — their tendency towards regionalization. Rather than a decentralized, amorphous grouping, we are now seeing movements that are independent of one another, each with its own recruitment methods, logistical and financial resources, political aims and raison d’être, which require particular and appropriate responses. Al-Qaida in the Islamic Mahgreb, a group representing a regional destabilization strategy through cross-border activities, is one of the clearest examples of that evolution. We need to come up with a response that takes such an evolution into account. We have recorded success against terrorist networks, but more must be done. All States must ratify and implement the 16 relevant international legal instruments. Negotiations on the comprehensive counter-terrorism convention, a potential cornerstone of international cooperation, must be concluded. The fight against terrorism led by the security forces and the judicial authorities must be pursued in respect for human rights and the relevant international instruments. That is a condition for the legitimacy and effectiveness of the fight against terrorism. Technical assistance must underpin the joint activities of intelligence services, police authorities and judicial bodies. It should help all States to meet their commitments. Poverty and the lack of development prospects are the breeding ground for terrorism. United Nations programmes must continue to take that element into account. We must promote genuine regional strategies in response to the destabilization efforts of terrorist networks. The increase in transnational organized crime, which the Council has already debated, is a significant factor in spreading terrorism in that it weakens the capacity of States to respond. Our Organization must remain mobilized against that scourge. In that regard, I would cite the example of drug trafficking as proof of that, whether in Central Asia or West Africa. Lastly, we must give our full support to the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force entrusted with coordinating all the Organization’s counter-terrorism work. We must also support the work of the Group of Experts set up to support the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), which is responsible for keeping the consolidated list of individuals and entities linked to Al-Qaida and the Taliban up to date. That is our vision — giving the international community the means to address, in strict respect for democratic principles and human rights, a threat that all States face today.

I now give the floor to the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation.

At the outset, allow me to thank you, Mr. President, for having organized this Security Council meeting on the very important topic of counter-terrorism. Brutal terrorist attacks on our territory and many other States bear witness to the extent of the threat and remind us of our common responsibility to eliminate terrorism and the need to strengthen measures to counter and prevent terrorism. Russia reaffirms its principled position of unconditional condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We believe that, owing to its universality, the United Nations must continue to provide political and moral leadership and to coordinate international counter- terrorism efforts, in accordance with its Charter and other norms of international law. The Security Council’s resolutions on counter- terrorism remain topical and important. Their full implementation by United Nations Members is an essential elements of the wide range of counter- terrorism measures to which States have committed themselves under the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. Russia is prepared to continue to actively support the counter-terrorism work of the Security Council and its specialized subsidiary committees, and to seek to bolster the effectiveness of measures taken by the Council. We believe that the further strengthening of dialogue between the Security Council and Member States on implementing the relevant resolutions to be crucial to achieving those objectives. On a practical level, suppressing the financing of and other support to terrorists, ensuring that borders are monitored for terrorist activity, and severing the links between terrorism and organized crime, including drug trafficking, remain pressing issues. A clear example of such dangerous links is Afghanistan, where terrorism and drug production continue to fuel each other. According to our assessment, Afghan drug production has increased to such an extent that it threatens international peace and stability. The link between piracy and terrorism is increasingly evident. In certain regions of the world, pirate groups share their revenue with terrorists. It is also very important to take effective steps to ensure that terrorist acts are punished. Here, the effectiveness of international preventive cooperation, including mutual legal assistance, must be strengthened. The principle of extradition or trial must prevail. Legal loopholes, safe havens and other ways to escape accountability must be eliminated. In that context, it is appropriate to recall Russia’s proposal to develop a global convention on extradition and mutual legal assistance, including in counter-terrorism. The overall strengthening of the international legal basis to fight terrorism is a pressing matter. The issue of defining terrorism must be resolved in a comprehensive counter-terrorism convention. The need to further regulate cyberspace, including preventing its use for terrorist purposes, is increasingly evident. I reaffirm that Russia supports the establishment of a comprehensive convention on cybercrime. We should also recall the existing international counter-terrorism conventions. Efforts to increase the number of signatories should be pursued in order to promote their full implementation. We note the important role in that process of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, whose services are increasingly in demand. Time has shown that counter-terrorism law enforcement measures must be complemented by wide- ranging efforts to prevent terrorism, including steps to eliminate the conditions that fuel it, to further dialogue among civilizations and faiths, to counter the ideology of violence and militant extremism, and to address the radicalization of societies. In that regard, we note the significance of resolution 1624 (2005), which seeks to counter incitement to terrorism and to enhance intercultural dialogue and preventive measures. Russia does not accept the theory of a clash of civilizations and cultures. It categorically rejects the equation of any religion with terrorism. In that regard, we see potential for the Turkish-Spanish Alliance of Civilizations initiative, which calls for projects to be implemented under the Alliance to further counter the ideological spread of terrorism. Counter-terrorist efforts will be significantly more effective if States, civil societies and business work together in the context of an equal and reciprocal partnership. We are pleased to note that Russia’s 2006 initiative for a public-private counter-terrorism partnership has taken shape, gained the necessary momentum and become a concrete part of practical measures, programmes and projects throughout the world. We will continue to contribute to that work both nationally and in line with the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute and the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force. The adoption of today’s draft presidential statement will reaffirm the Council’s resolve and unity in countering the unrelenting threat of terrorism. It appropriately reflects the Council’s increasing efforts to counter terrorism and to address that scourge. In conclusion, I wish to affirm that the Russian Federation is ready, in close cooperation with other States, to pursue its vigorous efforts to strengthen the international community and to bolster the potential of the United Nations to resolve pressing issues related to counter-terrorism security.

I invite the Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina, His Excellency Mr. Ivan Barbalić, to take the floor.

I would like to express our appreciation to you, Mr. President, and to the Government of the Republic of Turkey for having convened this meeting, and I would like especially to welcome your leadership in today’s debate. We appreciate every opportunity to consolidate our common efforts and we reiterate our determination to fight terrorism in all its aspects as the threat it represents is ever present and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Due to its various forms, methods and manifestations, terrorism poses challenges to the modern world and our societies and endangers international peace and security. It is therefore our common responsibility to collectively prevent and confront this global plague with both national and coordinated international action. In that context, the United Nations, as a universal Organization, and the Security Council, as the body with primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, bear the greatest burden of responsibility for improving the effectiveness of counter-terrorism policies and developing the international legal standards and norms necessary to that end. Concluding the negotiations on and adopting the comprehensive convention on international terrorism as a specific international law enforcement instrument as soon as possible would provide the international community and Member States with an effective tool for strengthening cooperation and coordination in their joint counter-terrorism action. The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy remains a central international framework for the concrete and efficient efforts of the international community. We therefore call for its full implementation, welcoming the recent unanimous adoption of General Assembly resolution 64/297 during the second biennial review of the Strategy. While the primary responsibility for implementing the Strategy lies with Member States, the leading role of the United Nations in coordinating counter-terrorism activities through the Counter- Terrorism Implementation Task Force and subsidiary bodies of the Security Council continues to be highly important. On the other hand, the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and Associated Individuals and Entities, the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) remain core tools in the global counter-terrorism campaign. I would like to reiterate Bosnia and Herzegovina’s strong support for every step that further strengthens these mechanisms and therefore the campaign in its entirety. The promotion and protection of human rights and the rule of law should remain a priority, as they constitute the fundamental values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Any measures undertaken by States to combat terrorism, including the prosecution and conviction of perpetrators of terrorist acts and the protection of and provision of reparations to victims, must be anchored in the rule of law and comply with State obligations under the provisions of international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law. Since the Security Council debate on terrorism in December 2008 (see S/PV.6034), we have witnessed significant improvements in respect for fundamental rights and freedoms in the international sanctions regimes. The adoption of resolution 1904 (2009) and the recent appointment of the Ombudsperson reconfirm the commitment of the international community to advancing clear and fair listing and de-listing procedures for the 1267 Committee, thus contributing to greater transparency in that Committee’s work, as well as to the credibility of the overall counter- terrorism regime. The increasing correlation among terrorism, transnational organized crime, drugs and arms smuggling, and money-laundering, as well as the frequent use of new information technologies by terrorists, requires an integrated global approach and close cooperation among relevant State institutions and elements of civil society at the national level, as well as cooperation and coordination with subregional, regional and international organizations. While every State has the primary responsibility to formulate and implement appropriate policies and measures, the role of the United Nations in helping build Member States’ capacity to prevent and combat terrorism is of the utmost importance. Cooperation at the regional and international levels, including continuous exchange of information, intelligence and best practices, and technical assistance for countries that need it, will enable countries to fulfil their obligations and requirements under relevant international instruments and Security Council resolutions. Finally, Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes the draft presidential statement on terrorism before the Council today and reiterates its strong commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms at both the national and international levels.

I now invite the Permanent Representative of Lebanon, His Excellency Mr. Nawaf Salam, to take the floor.

At the outset, I would like to welcome Minister Davutoğlu and to thank the Turkish presidency for having organized this important and substantive meeting, as the United Nations has a central role to play in fighting terrorism. I should also like to thank the Secretary- General for his valuable briefing. We support the draft presidential statement before the Council for adoption at this meeting. Lebanon strongly condemns all acts of terrorism in all its forms and considers them to be a dangerous threat to international peace and security and basic human rights, especially the right to life. Modern history has seen several forms of terrorism, to which innocent people of different religions, nationalities and cultures have fallen victim. The attacks of 11 September 2001 in New York were among its worst examples, as noted by the Lebanese President before this Council last Thursday (see S/PV.6389). Terrorism has afflicted many parts of the globe quite indiscriminately — from Japan and Sri Lanka to Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and from India, Pakistan, Uganda and Kenya to Britain, Russia, Spain and other countries. While we have endeavoured for years to define a unified concept of terrorism, innocent people fall victim every day, many of them present by coincidence at the moment terrorists strike. Condemning terrorism, killing and destruction is no longer sufficient, as it does not change the situation or protect the innocent. Lebanon strongly rejects conflating terrorism with any religion, especially Islam. Islam is not a religion of extremism. The Koran says “And thus We have made you a just nation” (The Holy Koran, II:143). Islam is a religion of dialogue. The Koran also says “and have disputations with them in the best manner” (ibid., XVI:125). Terrorism has not spared Muslims or Islam. Many Muslims fell victim to the horrific attacks of 11 September 2001. Today, many Muslims continue to fall victim to bombings in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia — some even in mosques. There are consistent attempts to distort this divine religion, which calls for tolerance and acceptance of others. A campaign is afoot — a culture of intellectual terrorism — to spread a horrifying image of Islam, which has led to Islamophobia. We would like to sound a note of caution that taking these provocative acts lightly — the desecration of religious sites and ignoring the feelings of believers — may be extremely dangerous. While we completely respect the freedom of expression, such acts do not fall within the purview of freedom; they are nothing more than provocations that undoubtedly fan the flames of terrorism. Lebanon distinguishes between terrorism and the legitimate right of people to resist foreign occupation, which has been enshrined in all international resolutions, instruments and norms. The best example of this is that no one applied the label of “terrorism” to the resistance mounted by the French against the Nazi occupation during the Second World War. You, Mr. President, are the best person to confirm that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk became a symbol of Turkish independence when he led the resistance to the foreign presence in Turkey. Lebanon appreciates the efforts of the United Nations and all its organs and agencies to combat terrorism. We reaffirm our resolve to cooperate with all of them, including the Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004). We encourage assistance to States to strengthen their institutions and legal capacities to combat terrorism. In that context, we call for respect for human rights and the rule of law in all measures to combat terrorism. We have to pay attention to the relationship between all the tools of terrorism, such as transboundary organized crime, trafficking in persons, weapons and drugs, and money-laundering. Lebanon believes that terrorism cannot be combated by military means, exchange of intelligence, financing or borders alone. It should be done by dealing with the root causes of terrorism and removing the factors that feed it, through the elimination of hotbeds of tension, renunciation of double standards in the implementation of international resolutions, accepting others and respecting rather than eliminating the specificities of each country or distorting its image. We should also end foreign occupation, injustice, poverty and the trampling of human rights and dignity. We must also stress the role of dialogue among cultures and civilizations. Lebanon advocated that theme during its presidency of the Council last May. The initiative of an alliance among civilizations launched by Turkey and Spain plays a desirable role. As we emphasize the importance of dealing with the root causes of terrorism, we do not have to recall that Al-Qaida tries to exploit the suffering of the Palestinian people as one of the means for recruiting terrorists. That alone is a reminder that we should affirm the need for the international community to accelerate the achievement of a comprehensive, just peace in the Middle East. Lebanon — which has signed most of the international conventions on combating terrorism — has also suffered from terrorist bombings that have claimed the lives of a number of politicians, foremost among whom was President Rafik Hariri, plus many journalists and many innocent people killed in the past five years. Lebanese forces have fought terrorist groups and still are fighting them. The army was able to eliminate one of the most dangerous of them — Fatah al-Islam, in Nahr al-Barid in northern Lebanon. That movement had nothing to do with the national Palestinian liberation movement Fatah or with Islam. In addition, Lebanon has suffered from Israeli State terrorism over the decades. I will recall that Israel bombed civilian installations, including electrical, water and oil installations, the airport, bridges, commercial planes, even hospitals and Red Cross Red Crescent ambulances, as well as the United Nations headquarters in Qana — which was supposed to be a refuge for the elderly, women and children, who thought that the Blue Flag could protect them. The General Assembly has reached by consensus a unified counter-terrorism strategy. Lebanon hopes it will be reflected in a comprehensive convention that will deal with terrorism in a unified way. That is possible if we decide to deal with this phenomenon objectively and in a manner in consonance with the rules and provisions of international law.

On behalf of the Japanese Government, I wish to express my gratitude, Mr. President, for your organizing this thematic debate to promote a fruitful discussion on counter-terrorism. I also wish to extend my appreciation to the Secretary- General for his informative and comprehensive briefing. Terrorism continues to be one of the biggest threats to international peace and security. Despite the fact that the international community, led by the United Nations, has made progress in counter-terrorism, the threats posed by terrorist organizations and individuals remain very high. Al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations and local extremists are still active, and many areas in the world face a threat from such groups. Last year the attempted bombing of a United States commercial aircraft reminded us once again that terrorism continues to be a global threat. Deep-seated problems surrounding terrorism, such as radicalization and safe havens, need to be addressed in an appropriate manner. To eradicate terrorism, multifaceted approaches by all stakeholders are vital. The Japanese Government will continue to participate proactively in international efforts led by the United Nations to combat terrorism. In that regard, a recent review of the implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorist Strategy gave us an important opportunity to renew our determination to fight terrorism. We expect that United Nations efforts in the field of counter-terrorism will be strengthened by coordination by the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, avoiding overlaps and duplication of its work. To combat terrorism, Security Council leadership is crucial. The Council has set out various effective measures, including through activities by the three counter-terrorism-related committees: those established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004). We recognize that resolution 1904 (2009) has contributed to ensuring a fair and transparent procedure for the terrorist sanction regimes. We also welcome the recent successful review of the consolidated list of the Council’s Al-Qaida and Taliban sanctions Committee. Although we have taken positive steps for further counter-terrorism measures, there are still capacity gaps among Member States. From that standpoint, we believe that country visits and the preliminary implementation assessments conducted by the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) play a vital role in determining the needs for support and in coordinating capacity-building activities. We hope that the Counter-Terrorism Committee and CTED will carry out further efforts to enhance counter- terrorism capacity of all Member States by facilitating technical assistance. Counter-terrorism is one of the most important national security agenda issues for the Japanese Government. I wish to reiterate our strong determination to continue to take an active role in the international community’s fight against terrorism.

Before I give the floor to Mr. Heller, I would like to express our appreciation for his able leadership of the 1540 Committee.

Thank you, Mr. President, for those kind words. And I wish to thank you, Minister Davutoğlu, and your delegation for the initiative of holding this important debate. I also wish to thank the Secretary-General for the information he has provided to the Council. Numerous attacks and recent failed attempts in various parts of the world have shown that, lamentably, this scourge continues to represent a serious threat to international peace and security. In light of that reality, the delegation of Mexico reiterates its most energetic condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, irrespective of where it comes from and by whom and for whatever purposes it is committed. Our commitment to the international counter-terrorism fight is steadfast. The current debate not only gives us an opportunity to reaffirm this commitment, but also to identify the progress made and the outstanding challenges in this sphere. Mexico has been a fervent and constant promoter of complete respect for human rights in the fight against terrorism. It is a priority matter for us, which we have championed in various forums of the United Nations system, including the Security Council, as well as at the inter-American level. The obligations arising from the Council’s counter-terrorism regime are consistent with other obligations of international law, particularly those pertaining to human rights and humanitarian and refugee law. It was the Council itself that confirmed and consolidated this relationship in a number of resolutions and statements, including the one that we will be adopting today. The consolidation of this complementary and mutually reinforcing relationship contributes to a better understanding of the scourge of terrorism and of the appropriate methods to fight it and in that way to effectively combat it. As we have pointed out on various occasions, legitimacy and effectiveness go hand in hand. In this context, it appears to us to be fundamental to stress the progress made under the sanctions regime set up by resolution 1267 (1999) on Al-Qaida and the Taliban. Resolutions 1822 (2008) and 1904 (2009) have made significant contributions towards transparency and due process under this regime. That progress has been seen in practice, as evident in the recently concluded revision of the Consolidated List and the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsperson. We cannot fail to insist, however, that fair and clear procedures will not be achieved until we have an effective remedy for listing and de-listing. That is one of the most significant challenges that the Security Council’s counter-terrorism and sanctions regimes are currently facing, in the light of the rule of law at the international level. We share the approach of seeing the threat of terrorism from a multidimensional perspective that deals with the underlying causes for its spread. In particular, Mexico believes that areas where there is exclusion, marginalization, ignorance and poverty are in some cases support for the spread of this threat. That is why we need to strengthen the holistic approach in our initiatives to reduce poverty, exclusion and frustration in the face of the lack of legitimate political hopes of peoples, groups and individuals, according to their regional contexts. The comprehensive approach of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, with its four pillars, is on the right track. The review of the Strategy that the General Assembly has just concluded and Assembly resolution 64/297 show that the international community is united with regard to this approach. The international community has a solid international legal framework that covers a very broad panoply of terrorism actions. That legal regime and institutional framework designed as part of the Global Strategy is an ideal forum for cooperation. Like other delegations, the delegation of Mexico would like to stress the importance of having a general counter-terrorism convention that could complement that legal framework. Negotiations to that end have taken too long, and we call once again for their prompt conclusion. We already have a number of special legal instruments for fighting terrorism, but despite that we have not been able define the phenomenon. The effectiveness of international norms, including the relevant resolutions of the Council, depends in large measure on implementation at the national level. We thus consider it indispensable to redouble efforts to provide more proactive technical assistance by specialized bodies and agencies such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. We also recall the importance of taking into account realities and needs at the local level. In the light of the proliferation in global counter-terrorism regulation, it is also indispensable to strengthen an integrative approach within the framework of the strengthening of the rule of law. The advantages offered by a globalized world through borders open to the flow of people and commercial goods cannot be used as a window of opportunity for terrorists to move around freely, engage in unbridled arms trafficking or to mobilize resources unchecked. Mexico reaffirms its commitment to progress towards the strengthening of practical measures to strengthen border controls. Close coordination between the three subsidiary bodies of the Council is another fundamental aspect where significant progress has been made and must continue to be intensified. As Chairman of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), Mexico would like to reiterate its commitment to such coordination. The threat arising from weapons of mass destruction in the hands of non-State actors, particularly for terrorist purposes, is one of the most serious to international peace and security. Based on the broad examination concluded last January, we have engaged in intensive consultations as part of a thorough reflection on the 1540 Committee and its future role in order to prevent, through the consolidation of international cooperation, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of non-State actors. Allow me to conclude, Mr. President, by congratulating you and your delegation for the excellent work that you have done in leading the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC). Under the leadership of Turkey, the CTC has acquired new momentum that has begun to show significant results. The streamlining of the working methods, the thematic debates and the more frequent reports to the membership of the United Nations are just a few examples. Initiatives such as the Ankara meeting last June and the meeting of public prosecutors on the topic of counter-terrorism planned for the end of this year are crucial in order to better project the work of the Committee and to promote understanding and cooperation among capitals, which are indispensable requirements for ensuring that our common efforts against this scourge are more successful.

I would like to thank Turkey for taking the initiative to organize this debate on counter-terrorism. I would also like to thank Foreign Minister Davutoğlu for his presence in presiding over today’s meeting. The Chinese delegation would also like to take this opportunity to express its appreciation for the effective work carried out by Turkey as chair of the Counter- Terrorism Committee (CTC). Terrorism is a common threat faced by the entire international community. The Chinese Government has always supported decisive combat against all forms of terrorism. In this regard, counter-terrorism efforts should adhere to one standard. The international community should decisively combat terrorist activities, wherever or whenever they occur. International cooperation in fighting terrorism should reject double standards; otherwise, such efforts will be off-track, run counter to the original intent to fight terrorism or even give rise to impunity for it. Counter-terrorism efforts should be based on international cooperation with strengthened coordination synergy, and the United Nations and the Security Council should play the central coordinating role. During the past few years, the Security Council has adopted a series of counter-terrorism resolutions and the General Assembly has adopted the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which have provided the necessary guidance for international counter-terrorism cooperation. Counter-terrorism efforts should adhere to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and fully respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of States. Countries throughout the world should strengthen their domestic counter-terrorism legislation, law enforcement and cooperation in the areas of early warning mechanisms, the fight against terrorism, terrorism financing, travel restrictions, border control and intelligence exchange, among others. China supports a larger role for the CTC in helping countries to build their capacity and in providing more counter-terrorism assistance to developing countries. Counter-terrorism efforts should aim to address both the phenomenon and its root causes in an integrated manner. Terrorism has a very complex political, social and economic background. Efforts to counter terrorism should pay attention to eradicating poverty and social injustices and to properly settling regional conflicts and preventing separatism, radicalism, hatred and intolerance in order to eliminate the breeding grounds for terrorism. If we neglect such integrated efforts and rely merely on military and law enforcement methods, we may end up in a situation that breeds even more terrorism after such measures are adopted. Counter- terrorism efforts should also advocate dialogue and exchange among civilizations, religions and racial and ethnic groups to enhance mutual understanding and tolerance. Counter-terrorism efforts should not emphasize ideological elements. China is opposed to linking terrorism with a particular State, race or religion.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey. Turkey has long-standing, direct experience with terrorism. I would like to take this opportunity to express our solidarity with all victims of terrorism around the world and our sincere condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives at the hands of terrorists. This unfortunate and painful experience has taught us, among other things, the indispensable nature of international cooperation in combating this scourge. Indeed, terrorists operate across borders, exploit opportunities and use every available technology presented to them in today’s globalized world. Efforts to counter this threat therefore need to be firm, coherent and adaptive. The United Nations has a central role to play in laying the groundwork to make that possible. Indeed, through the adoption of a number of conventions, protocols and resolutions the United Nations has provided the international community with a sound legal structure on counter-terrorism. Through those instruments we have identified the relevant norms and necessary measures to prevent and suppress terrorist acts and to bring their perpetrators and facilitators to justice. However, there is still a regrettable and significant gap between the objectives behind those measures and the stark reality. It is therefore incumbent upon us as members of the Council to make a candid assessment of the nature of the ongoing shortcomings and to search for remedies. That would constitute a vital first step to re-energize international counter- terrorism efforts. Let me cite a few areas of shortcoming as we see them. Criminal justice is one crucial case in point. Victims of terrorism need to see that those who are engaged in terrorist acts are punished. Terrorists, for their part, should have no false expectation of immunity from justice. However, terrorists are still able to exploit loopholes in legal mechanisms, and at times they manage to escape criminal justice before our very eyes. For instance, the granting of asylum to perpetrators or supporters of terrorism remains a stumbling block to extradition. Therefore, while upholding the rule of law, we need to remedy these loopholes. Terrorist financing is another important area where much more needs to be done. Despite the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and Council resolution 1373 (2001), this critical problem continues. It is particularly in this area that terrorist organizations most exploit the lack of a harmonized, coherent international approach. The methods employed, such as extortion, fundraising through front organizations and transfer of funds by couriers, are well known. Against such activities, the international community must have a uniform and consistent approach that is effective and result- oriented. Another issue that merits particular attention is the phenomenon of incitement to terrorism. Council resolution 1624 (2005) calls on all States to prohibit by law incitement to terrorist acts. However, there is an increasing trend of terrorism-related propaganda. Terrorist organizations benefit from freedoms inherent in our societies and exploit them for their own purposes, namely, to terrorize audiences and breed radicalization and thus facilitate recruitment and support. In fact, there are even examples of terrorist organizations running television stations under pseudonyms. We cannot allow basic democratic rights, most notably the right to freedom of expression, to be exploited for motives linked to the aims and purposes of terrorist organizations. It is our shared responsibility to prevent that and to do so without exception. Having mentioned some implementation gaps, I would now like to examine the underlying reasons for our failure to close those loopholes that have persisted for too long. Let me start with the notion of political will. Let us be candid: at times the lack of political determination is where the problem lies. That cannot be allowed. Our stance must not waver either in rhetoric or action. Lack of counter-terrorism capacity, particularly lack of expertise and resources, is another big challenge for many countries. Countries that have the will but for one reason or other lack the capacity to fight terrorism deserve our support. Turkey has security agreements with over 70 countries with a view to sharing experiences and building capacity. We will continue our efforts in this vein and encourage others to do the same. As a key forum for developing global counter- terrorism norms, the United Nations also plays an important role in assisting the countries that should implement these norms. We strongly commend and support the capacity-building efforts of the relevant United Nations bodies. I wish to mention in particular the importance of the focused and regional approach pursued by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate. We also appreciate the valuable contributions of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. In fact, there is a growing need for enhanced capacity-building and cross-regional cooperation to strengthen the international counter-terrorism structure. Such efforts should also be better coordinated among the United Nations bodies and with other multilateral stakeholders such as the World Bank, civil society and the private sector. That is why we strongly support strengthening the role of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force in this field. Last but not the least, counter-terrorism activities need to be conducted on a legitimate basis. Respect for human rights and the rule of law are indispensable elements of a successful counter-terrorism campaign. We are pleased to note that United Nations bodies have made concrete progress in this direction. In this context, I should particularly mention Council resolution 1904 (2009), which established the post of an ombudsperson. However, the Council continues to face criticism in this area. Therefore, it is the Council’s duty to underline time and again that security and freedom are not conflicting objectives and that this is not a zero-sum game. The challenge before us is not limited to remedying deficiencies in the present global counter- terrorism framework. We should also proactively debate emerging threats such as the increasing link between terrorist groups and organized crime, the advent of cyberterrorism and the spread of radical ideologies. In doing so, we should also consider the necessary steps to counter such challenges. At this point I would also like to share my conviction that the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, needs to ensure that its focus goes beyond combating terrorism. It should be more comprehensive and focus on efforts geared towards preventing terrorism as well. In doing so, the Council can work closely with the General Assembly in addressing conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism. In any case, the United Nations is the most appropriate forum in which to develop ways and means to address the comprehensive nature of these challenges. My remarks may imply daunting tasks for the United Nations: asking it to bring various stakeholders into play in counter-terrorism efforts, to provide knowledge and expertise to Member States, to develop global norms to address the evolving nature of terrorism in a comprehensive manner, and to monitor the implementation of these measures. Naturally, while expressing such expectations for the United Nations, it is also my duty to affirm my country’s determination to support those endeavours. The shared determination of United Nations Member States leads me to be more optimistic that success is possible and that terrorism can and will be defeated. I believe that the draft presidential statement to be adopted at today’s meeting will duly reflect our resolve to retain counter-terrorism as a priority on the agenda of the international community and to shed light on particular aspects of counter-terrorism that require more attention and new approaches. Before concluding, I would like to thank the members of the Security Council for their cooperation and contributions to the preparation of this thematic meeting and the presidential statement. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. The representative of the United States has asked for the floor to make a further statement.

The Security Council’s role should be to collectively advance efforts to counter terrorism and to use meetings such as this to discuss the topic productively. We do not believe that other grievances should be part of this discussion.

The Council has before it the text of a statement by the President on behalf of the Council on the subject of today’s meeting. I thank Council members for their valuable contributions to the statement. In accordance with the understanding reached among the members of the Council, I shall take it that members agree to the statement, which will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2010/19. It is so decided. I wish to thank all the Ministers and Permanent Representatives and the Secretary-General for their contributions to this important meeting. There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.