S/PV.6658 Security Council

On behalf of the Chairs of the three subsidiary bodies of the Security Council established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004) dealing with the issue of terrorism, I have the honour to update the Security Council on the continued cooperation among the three Committees and their expert groups, as requested by the Council in its resolutions 1963 (2010), 1977 (2011) and 1989 (2011) and in earlier resolutions. The three Committees continue to attach great importance to coordination and cooperation between their respective expert groups, namely, the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), the Monitoring Team of the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities, and the Expert Group of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). The Committees welcome the continued efforts of the expert groups to cooperate on outreach activities and country visits so as to enhance cooperation with international, regional and subregional organizations, increase exchanges of information, engage in joint meetings and maintain reciprocal representation. The Chairs are now providing updates for the comparative table illustrating the mandates and areas of competence of the three committees and their expert groups, which notably reflects the adoption of resolutions 1988 (2011) and 1989 (2011) on the split of the Al-Qaida and Taliban components of the 1267 sanctions Committee. In the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), a special meeting was held to commemorate the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001) 10 years ago. Joint and coordinated outreach activities and country visits are important tools for the three Committees in facilitating the full implementation of their respective mandates. Those tools strengthen dialogue with Member States, help to improve their understanding of the distinct yet complementary mandates of the three Committees, and assist in the implementation of the relevant resolutions. Cooperation among the expert groups has been maintained and has increased in some areas. Since May, all three expert groups have been represented in more than a dozen workshops and other outreach events, while two of the groups attended additional meetings, such as the recent workshop sponsored by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), held from 27 to 29 September in Astana, Kazakhstan, which focused on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) in Central Asia. During that workshop, the Expert Group of the 1540 Committee and the CTED experts demonstrated not only the complementary mandates of the CTC and the 1540 Committee with respect to the illicit movement of weapons and related nuclear, chemical and biological materials, but also how coordinated efforts are essential to assisting the Central Asian States in coping with existing illicit trafficking. Other examples include a meeting held on 6 and 7 July in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, for heads of special services and security agencies, which was jointly attended by the Chairs of the CTC and the 1540 Committee, as well as by the Executive Director of CTED and the Coordinator of the Monitoring Team. When another United Nations body organizes a regional workshop, the three expert groups often participate, as in the case of the workshops sponsored by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; the subregional workshop on the Security Council resolutions against terrorism and their implementation mechanisms, held in Doha, Qatar, on 17 and 18 May; and the Arab regional workshop on monitoring and securing movement of goods and individuals from terrorist threats, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 6 to 8 June. The expert groups also participated in the workshop sponsored by the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) on the regional implementation of the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy in Eastern Africa, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 27 and 28 July. An example of jointly attended events hosted by non-United Nations bodies is the periodic meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), in which the three expert groups collaborated in the negotiation of FATF standards in terms of how they relate to the work of the three Committees. Several of the country visits organized by CTED have included the participation of the 1267 Monitoring Team and have been mutually beneficial in advancing the implementation process. The 1540 Committee’s experts are now able, for the first time, to join a country visit organized by CTED, to be held from 21 to 25 November in Myanmar, where an intensive dialogue will be held with the relevant officials. We hope that there will be future occasions on which the 1540 Committee can reciprocate. The three Committees have welcomed the progress made in applying the common strategy paper of the three expert groups on cooperation with intergovernmental organizations, which each Committee had taken note of last year. The coordinated approach agreed among the expert groups with respect to selected organizations was enriched by the significant contribution of the representative of CTED and the 1267 Monitoring Team at major conferences late in 2010 and during 2011, which brought together a large number of international, regional and subregional organizations to enhance cooperation with the Security Council Committees and among organizations themselves to promote the full implementation of the respective resolutions. The outcome of those interactions is now being used by the expert groups to refine the modalities for information exchange, within the existing constraints of confidentiality, to enhance and sustain coordination and to further explore the potential of subregional cooperation. The CTITF continues to provide the three expert groups with a platform for cooperation, not only among themselves but also with more than 30 United Nations system organizations, agencies and programmes concerned with aspects of counter- terrorism. The CTITF retreat held on 12 and 13 May provided a forum in which to take stock of the progress made in the coordination and implementation of joint activities. The expert groups contribute to the work of several CTITF working groups. The three expert groups actively participate in the relevant CTITF working groups. For example, the 1540 Committee experts collaborated with the Working Group on Preventing and Responding to Weapons of Mass Destruction Attacks. The expert groups also participate in the Integrated Assistance for Countering Terrorism initiative, which is co-chaired by CTED. CTED and the Monitoring Team have also assumed leading roles in some working groups. For example, CTED is co-Chair of the Working Group on Border Management and the 1267 Monitoring Team is co-Chair of the Working Group on Countering the Use of the Internet for Terrorist Purposes. Exchange of information among expert groups is carried out on a regular basis. They have been sharing information on forthcoming meetings and relevant activities. CTED has regularly shared with the other groups its monthly reports to the CTC, including information on its missions that the Executive Director submits to the CTC, while the 1540 experts have begun posting highlights of summary reports on outreach events on the 1540 website. The three expert groups continue to hold joint meetings when needed, both between the heads of each team and between the expert teams, in order to prepare them for country visits and relevant workshops and to exchange information on particular themes or activities in specific regions or countries. CTC and the 1540 Committee working group on cooperation with international organizations have reciprocally extended invitations to their meetings when they arrange briefings by visiting officials from the inter-Governmental organizations or when thematic briefings of mutual interest are held. An example of the Monitoring Team’s active involvement was the town hall meeting for the three expert groups held on 19 October at CTED premises for a briefing by the coordinator of the Monitoring Team on the spread of the Al-Qaida and Taliban aspects of the 1267 mandate. The three expert groups were included in the special meeting of 28 September on the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001), where an important outcome document was adopted on the basis of the global survey on implementation of that resolution. Finally, in addition to invitations to the expert groups to attend briefings of NATO or on border control, both CTED and the monitoring teams delivered a joint presentation this month on terrorism prevention and countering incitement to terrorism through the Internet. In conclusion, terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction continue to pose a serious threat to international peace and security. It remains important to maintain close cooperation and effective coordination between the CTC, the 1267 Committee and the 1540 Committee, as well as among the expert groups. In that respect, the three Committees look forward to receiving further guidance from the Security Council on the areas of common interest in order to better coordinate their efforts and facilitate cooperation. I now wish to speak on behalf of the 1540 Committee. Our main developments since the last joint briefing in May (see S/PV.6536) have been the adoption of our report on compliance with resolution 1540 (2004) through the achievement of the implementation of its requirements, as mandated in resolution 1810 (2008), as well as the adoption of the tenth programme of work, before addressing other recent activities of the Committee. The 1540 Committee adopted its report on implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) on 12 September (S/2011/579), and has submitted it to the Security Council. Notably, the report finds that since 2008, more States have taken more measures to implement almost every obligation or recommendation in the resolution. While those trends parallel those seen in the reports of the 1540 Committee in 2006 and 2008, the 1540 Committee remains aware that much work remains to be done, and that the urgency of the threat remains considerable. Therefore, the Committee has recommended that outreach to promote understanding of the resolution should continue, with a focus on the practical ways and means to help States take further steps to implement the resolution. On 17 June, the 1540 Committee approved its tenth programme of work for the period until 31 May 2012. The programme of work incorporates the new mandate and tasks for the 1540 Committee found in resolution 1977 (2011). The programme of work includes detailed objectives and tasks for the four working groups of the 1540 Committee, as well as procedures on how the 1540 Committee and the working groups will operate. Taking note of the adoption of resolution 1977 (2011) in April and the tenth programme of work thereafter, the 1540 Committee has conducted activities focused on implementation, cooperation with international organizations, assistance, and outreach and transparency since the joint briefing in May. As to implementation, although the 1540 Committee did not receive any new first reports on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) during the past six months, it did receive additional information on implementation of the resolution from Croatia, Peru and Qatar. In September, France submitted a national action plan on the implementation of the resolution. Many other States have provided additional information to the 1540 Committee or its experts during country-specific dialogues and other activities. In accordance with resolution 1977 (2011), the 1540 Committee increased its efforts to engage in dialogue with States on their implementation of resolution 1540 (2011). Based on a December 2010 invitation from the United States to conduct a country visit and subsequent exchanges, from 12 to 16 September the 1540 Committee visited Washington, D.C., where the Committee and experts met with officials from nine Government departments and several other Government bodies. The Committee and experts were briefed on the current national measures to implement the resolution, measures they intend to take, and their perspective on effective practices. The 1540 Committee will work with the host country on preparing a draft report on the visit. We can also reveal that since May, the Committee has also received letters of invitation for country visits to Albania, Croatia and Madagascar. The timing and other modalities for these visits remain under discussion. The 1540 Committee experts have engaged in other country-specific missions, for example to Indonesia, Kenya, and Mexico, in cooperation with the Organization of American States, and anticipate that the 1540 Committee will receive more requests for such missions in the future. With respect to assistance, the 1540 Committee continues to work on collecting and matching State requests for assistance with offers of assistance, and on possible next steps in its assistance efforts. Since the previous briefing, the Committee has received official information on assistance requests from Armenia, Guyana and Mexico and on offers of assistance or the status of assistance programmes from France, Hungary, Mexico, Portugal and the United States. The Committee updated a consolidated list of its formal requests for assistance, which we agreed to share with the Group of Eight Global Partnership working group at a meeting in Paris, France, on 10 October. The 1540 Committee has information on more assistance requests made informally to it by national authorities or where States have made requests through other channels, such as in statements at meetings of States parties of key non-proliferation treaties or conventions, or submissions to other United Nations bodies. Committee members currently have additional assistance guidelines on match-making activities under consideration that address procedures to conduct match-making for assistance requests and to turn informal requests into formal requests to the 1540 Committee. With respect to cooperation with international, regional and subregional organizations, since the last briefing the 1540 Committee has engaged with many of the international, regional and subregional organizations that could provide assistance to it in the implementation of resolution 1540. The Committee continues to pursue its work with multilateral organizations, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. In addition, the Committee received new information on the status of points of contact from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, along with a joint appointment by the Pacific Islands Forum secretariat and UNODC to a post that may help with the implementation of the resolution in the region. The Committee agreed to allow experts to assist the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Implementation Support Unit in the development of the BWC implementation guide. The Committee also facilitated the development of potential recommendations on combating proliferation financing with the members of the Financial Action Task Force, and contributed to the development of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia. Further, 1540 Committee members and experts participated in 1540 Committee-related activities with other international, regional and subregional organizations and entities, such as the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism of the Organization of American States, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Caribbean Community, and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. The Committee has also received a new commitment to its international efforts through a United States-European Union joint statement on resolution 1540 (2004), issued at a 23 October side event on the resolution organized by the Government of Poland on the margins of the First Committee. With respect to outreach and transparency, the Committee and its group of experts participated in outreach events at the international, regional and subregional levels to facilitate implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) over the past six months. These included a regional workshop in Riyadh; an international export control conference in Singapore; a workshop on promoting the global instruments of non-proliferation and disarmament in New York; the meeting of the heads of special security agencies held in St. Petersburg, Russia; a workshop on nuclear safeguards and verification; a workshop on potential nuclear security partnerships in South-East Asia in Vienna; a counter-illicit trafficking workshop in Tanzania; and an international symposium on biosecurity and biosafety trends and solutions in Milan. The 1540 Committee continues to develop its media outreach strategy as well. During the country visit to the United States, the representative of the Chair made a press statement and participated in a press conference about the visit. She also spoke at a meeting with civil society organizations that included participants from the media. This was done at the request of the host country. In order to promote transparency, the Chair briefed a September meeting of the Africa Group on the work of the Committee. Information notes on events have been posted on the Committee website. We have also begun to redesign the Committee website this month, with the support of UNODA and the Department of Public Information. In conclusion, the Committee is discussing two important tasks in line with resolution 1977 (2011). The Committee intends to present recommendations for the Committee and the Group of Experts in accordance with paragraph 5 (b) of resolution 1977 (2011). The Committee remains engaged in discussions on these recommendations, which will help define the support capabilities available to the Committee with its new 10-year mandate. The Committee also has begun the process of drafting an annual report to review the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), in line with the requirements of operative paragraph 9 of resolution 1977 (2011). The completion of these two tasks will be a major focus of the work of the 1540 Committee over the next few months. Permit me to make a few remarks in my national capacity. Much success has been achieved in the first 10 years since the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001), which, among other things, established the Counter- Terrorism Committee (CTC) as the custodian of the resolution. We also avail ourselves of the exceptional support provided by the CTC and the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate. South Africa welcomes the commemorative event held on 28 September, which took stock of the first decade of resolution 1373 (2001). The political declaration adopted at that event is forward-looking and seeks to address those areas that remain a challenge to countering the scourge of terrorism globally. The event further served as a useful means of exchange between the Committee and the entire United Nations membership on the work carried out by the Committee. South Africa welcomes the introduction of sunset clauses in resolution 1989 (2011), adopted in June. South Africa welcomes the recommendations that were proposed by Mr. Emmerson, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter- terrorism, in particular concerning the provision of concrete evidence as a requirement for the listing of individuals and entities. South Africa reiterates that any unauthorized access to weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), materiel and facilities by non-State actors, including for terrorist purposes, is a threat to international peace and security. We should all be concerned over the existence of networks dealing in the illicit transfer of WMD-related technology that could be used in the manufacture of such weapons. South Africa is therefore pleased that, in resolution 1977 (2011), not only was the mandate of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) extended for a period of 10 years, but the Council also recognized the risk that non-State actors may acquire, develop, traffic in or use nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and their means of delivery. In short, we are hopeful that it is a small contribution to the fight against the belief that WMDs are legitimate instruments.

I thank Ambassador Sangqu for his briefings. I shall now give the floor to Ambassador Peter Wittig, Chairman of the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities.

In today’s briefing, I would like to provide an update on the activities and achievements of the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) since my last briefing in May (see S/PV.6536). In my briefing, I would like to focus on the following three aspects: first, reflecting the current threat of Al-Qaida; secondly, enhancing the implementation of measures; and thirdly, implementing the enhanced mandate of the Ombudsperson. A more detailed version of this statement will be distributed as hard copy today and made accessible on the Committee’s website. In June, the Security Council decided to split the former list related to sanctions under resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban by adopting resolution 1988 (2011) and 1989 (2011). As of 17 June, the Al-Qaida sanctions list has included only the names of those individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida. At the same time, and in line with resolutions 1988 (2011) and 1989 (2011), Taliban individuals formerly designated under the 1267 consolidated list were transferred to the sanctions regime established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) — the Taliban sanctions Committee. As the Chairperson of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011), I have communicated my intention to brief this Council in January 2012 for the first time since the establishment of the Committee and thereafter every six months. Since 17 June, the Committee, supported by the Secretariat and the Monitoring Team, has been committed to implementing step by step the provisions of resolution 1989 (2011. The Committee aims at concluding consultations over new guidelines before the end of this month. The new guidelines will be made available on the Committee’s website. I turn now to the first aspect of the Committee’s work that I should like to highlight, namely, reflecting the current threat of Al-Qaida. The Committee Members share the view that the threat posed by Al-Qaida continues to evolve. Therefore, the Committee, with the assistance of the Monitoring Team, will continue to analyse the threat and take necessary decisions to ensure that the evolving nature of the threat is reflected adequately in the list in a timely manner. The Al-Qaida sanctions list currently has 344 entries, comprised of 253 Al-Qaida individuals and 91 Al-Qaida entities. Since the last Chairman’s briefing to the Security Council, the Committee has added the names of eight individuals and four entities. Over the same period, it has amended eight entries based on additional information gathered, and removed 12 individuals and three entities from the list. The Committee will continue its efforts aimed at keeping the list up to date. The Committee has concluded its first specialized review of reportedly deceased individuals pursuant to resolution 1904 (2009), and will conduct a number of specialized and periodic reviews in line with the provision set out in resolution 1989 (2011). The Committee relies on the cooperation of Member States for the successful conduct of these reviews. As Chair of the Committee, I would like to thank all Member States for their continued willingness to cooperate constructively in recent reviews. The Committee will make every effort to devise review modalities that will allow for an effective and credible review process, without over-burdening Member States. Regarding linkages between Al-Qaida and the Taliban, the Committee has received the Monitoring Team’s 90-day report pursuant to resolution 1989 (2011). The Committee continues to analyze the report in a comprehensive manner and is drafting a position paper on the recommendations presented by the Monitoring Team, to be transmitted with the Monitoring Team’s 90-day report to the Security Council in due course. The Monitoring Team will continue to report periodically on linkages between Al-Qaida and the Taliban. The Committee, recognizing that there are linkages in some cases between Al-Qaida and the Taliban, will continue to consider questions related to those linkages in a comprehensive manner. The Committee has continued its cooperation with INTERPOL and has approved a new agreement on areas of cooperation beyond the issuance of INTERPOL-United Nations Security Council Special Notices. Allow me to turn now to the second aspect of the work of the Committee, namely, enhancing the implementation of measures. The Committee has taken note of information provided by the Monitoring Team in accordance with its mandate regarding cases in some Member States where sanctions have not yet been fully implemented. The Committee will request the Monitoring Team to provide custom-tailored proposals for working together with the States in question on further enhancing the implementation of sanctions measures. The Committee would like to take advantage of today’s open briefing and remind all Member States of their obligation to fully implement the sanctions measures stipulated in resolution 1989 (2011). Coming to the third aspect of our work, namely, fair and clear procedures and implementing the enhanced mandate of the Ombudsperson. At the outset, the Chair would like to highlight the fact that the Committee, with the valuable assistance of the Monitoring Team, has succeeded in making publicly available narrative summaries of the reasons for all listings on the Committee’s website in all the official United Nations languages. That marks an important milestone regarding transparency in the work of the Committee. With the adoption of resolution 1904 (2009) the Security Council established the Office of the Ombudsperson. As of today, the Ombudsperson has forwarded 18 de-listing requests to the Committee. She has submitted eight comprehensive reports to the Committee. The Committee commends the Ombudsperson for her continued commitment and for her substantive contributions to the work of the Committee. The Committee has concluded its consideration of six of those comprehensive reports on specific de-listing requests, resulting in the de-listing of four petitioners. In one case the petitioner withdrew his request before a decision of the Committee. That clearly indicates that the Ombudsperson process continues to deliver substantive results. The members of the Committee also take note that the comprehensive reports of the Ombudsperson provide the petitioner with an opportunity to be heard and to present his or her view of the matter. At the same time it is important to note that the Committee has so far provided to the Ombudsperson reasons for all its decisions on de-listing requests submitted through the Office of the Ombudsperson. Through the adoption of resolution 1989 (2011) the Security Council has further and significantly strengthened the mandate of the Ombudsperson. The Ombudsperson is now mandated to provide to the Committee a recommendation on each de-listing request. Since the adoption of those new procedures in June 2011, two individuals have been de-listed on the basis of the Ombudsperson’s recommendation. Furthermore, resolution 1989 (2011) stipulates that in cases where the Ombudsperson recommends de-listing, the petitioner is removed from the Al-Qaida sanctions list 60 days after the Committee has completed its consideration of the comprehensive report, unless there is consensus in the Committee to retain the listing, or a member of the Committee requests a referral to the Security Council. With that provision the Security Council has substantially raised the bar for members of the Committee who do not share the Ombudsperson’s recommendations to de-list, by requiring unanimity to retain the listing. The Chair notes that this new provision has provided a new dynamic of decision-making within the Committee. Resolution 1989 (2011) introduced the same decision-making process with a reversed consensus requirement when de-listing requests are submitted by designated States. That should similarly facilitate de-listing in cases where an individual no longer meets the listing criteria. So far the Committee has not received a de-listing request pursuant to the new provisions set out in paragraph 27 of resolution 1989 (2011). The Committee would like to take this opportunity today to encourage all Member States to ensure that those important and substantial improvements are made publicly known. At the same time the Committee underlines that it is essential to continue to ensure that procedures are fair and clear, that the Office of the Ombudsperson is adequately resourced and that its comprehensive reports are translated into all official languages in a timely manner. We are satisfied that work is underway to ensure that that continues to be the case. Allow me to conclude with some words on the work of the Monitoring Team. The Monitoring Team continues to actively support the Committee in all areas of its work. On behalf of the Committee I would like to thank Coordinator Richard Barrett and the entire team for their dedicated work and commitment. A detailed overview of the activities of the Monitoring Team since the last briefing in May 2011 (see S/PV.6536) will be included in the hard copy of the Chair’s briefing and made accessible on the Committee’s website. That concludes my briefing, but allow me to add some comments in my national capacity regarding the work of the three counter-terrorism committees. Regarding the work of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), Germany remains committed to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery to non-State actors. The 1540 Committee is an important tool in this regard. In our view, one priority is the provision of assistance, channelled through the Committee. We also attach great importance to the effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and resolution 1977 (2011). Therefore Germany stands ready to continue supporting the Committee’s work by facilitating the Working Group on monitoring and implementation. We welcome its constructive and extremely informative country visit to the United States in mid-September. We expect the Committee to make more use of that important new tool. We are planning to organize a seminar related to resolution 1540 (2004) in Germany in April 2012. The German Foreign Ministry and other competent agencies are jointly preparing an outreach event for international, regional and subregional industry associations, in close cooperation with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. We are convinced that business associations can significantly contribute to the implementation by States of obligations under resolution 1540 (2004). We will stay in close touch with the Chair and other members of the 1540 Committee in the course of further preparations. About the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, recognizing that promoting human rights and countering terrorism are mutually reinforcing, Germany would like to encourage that Committee and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate to further enhance activities aimed at promoting human rights while countering terrorism, including through integrated country visits. Germany would like to reiterate its view that the General Assembly and the Counter-Terrorism Task Force, in the framework of the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy, should play a leading role in the field of terrorism prevention. I wish to say a last word on the work of the 1267 and 1989 Committee — the Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee. The Al-Qaida sanctions list must reflect the evolving threat of the terrorist network. Germany has a preference for keeping the focus of the list on key activists. As Chair of the 1267 Committee and the 1989 Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, Germany attaches great importance to ensuring that the Ombudsperson’s current mandate is fully implemented and that the Office of the Ombudsperson will continue to be adequately resourced. Regarding implementation, Germany would like to see the Committee, assisted by the Monitoring Team, take a more proactive role in working with Member States to ensure the full implementation of measures.

I thank Ambassador Wittig for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to Ambassador Puri, Chairman of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism.

I have had the honour to chair the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism since the beginning of this year. It has been an extremely eventful year, and today it gives me great pleasure to brief the Security Council on the work of the Committee since the previous briefing in May (S/PV.6536). Perhaps the most significant event of the year for the Counter-Terrorism Committee was the special meeting held on 28 September to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001). Representatives of Member States, United Nations entities and other international and regional organizations had a comprehensive exchange of views on counter-terrorism during the day-long event, which was held at United Nations Headquarters. The Committee also adopted an outcome document in which it urged “all Member States to ensure zero tolerance towards terrorism and take urgent action to prevent and combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations through the full and effective implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) and other relevant international instruments relating to terrorism”. The outcome document will be circulated as a document of the Security Council and is also available on the Committee’s website. A separate event for members of civil society was also held on the margins of that meeting. Coinciding with the special meeting, the Committee issued an updated global survey of the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) by Member States, prepared by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) at the request of the Security Council on the basis of information available as of 31 May. The survey provides a comprehensive overview, on a regional as well as a thematic basis, of the status of counter-terrorism efforts around the world as they relate to the implementation of the resolution. The survey evaluates Member States’ strengths and vulnerabilities, identifies gaps in the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) and recommends future action. It underscores, among other concerns, the fact that Member States continue to struggle to secure porous borders, monitor financial systems, strengthen their judicial systems and prosecute or extradite terrorist suspects. Inadequate funding and training constrain the ability of many States to be as effective as they would wish. The survey expresses concern that terrorists are increasingly turning to the Internet and other new technologies to recruit, incite and raise funds for their activities. Another area of concern is the link between terrorist networks and organized crime. Despite these challenges, however, States have made significant progress since the adoption of the resolution, which, over the past decade, has strengthened solidarity and dialogue among Member States in their efforts to counter the terrorist threat. The survey offers several recommendations aimed at strengthening the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001). It is essential that Member States address terrorism by means other than law enforcement. Prevention is critical and a condition for the effectiveness of any comprehensive strategy to counter terrorism, as noted in the survey. Effective responses will necessarily include other aspects of legal and social policy. Development, education, social integration, the rule of law and human rights are among the key components of such responses. The Committee continues to be guided in its work by the relevant resolutions, especially 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005) and 1963 (2010), and continues to play a critical role in promoting and facilitating their implementation. Pursuant to resolution 1963 (2010), CTED is currently preparing a global survey of the implementation of resolution 1624 (2005) for submission by 31 December. The Committee continues to focus on region- specific discussions and on issues identified in the 2011 global survey. It also continues to organize and participate in discussions and workshops on thematic issues. Some of the major issues considered by the Committee during the past six months include facilitating the provision of technical assistance to Member States, and the challenges involved in adopting and implementing counter-terrorism measures relating to legislation and law enforcement, with an emphasis on prevention and emergency response. With the Council’s permission, I would now like to make a brief statement in my national capacity. It is important that the Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004) continue to explore ways and means to enhance their synergies in the fight against terrorism. International cooperation and concerted action against terrorists and their sponsors — including the complete dismantling of terrorist safe havens, sanctuaries, training grounds and financial and ideological support structures — are the critical imperatives needed to defeat this scourge. The outcome document adopted by the Counter- Terrorism Committee at its special meeting on 28 September is a major milestone in providing strategic direction for the work of the Committee to strengthen the capacity of States in their counter- terrorism efforts. The outcome document introduces a new zero-tolerance paradigm in the international community’s fight against terrorism and will be helpful in raising the bar in the fight against terrorism to a higher level. Speaking at the general debate at the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly, our Prime Minister, Mr. Manmohan Singh, said: “The fight against terrorism must be unrelenting. There cannot be selective approaches in dealing with terrorist groups or the infrastructure of terrorism. Terrorism has to be fought across all fronts.” (A/66/PV.22, p. 11) Indeed, our entire region, South Asia, has been racked by the activities of the biggest terrorist organizations and entities in the world, be they Al-Qaida, elements of the Taliban, Lashkar-e-Toiba or others. It is our expectation that the splitting of the 1267 sanctions regime in June this year will enable the Afghan Government to have a greater say in confronting the challenges emanating from those constituting a threat to the peace, security and stability of Afghanistan. We are concerned that the functioning of the 1267 Sanctions Committee continues to be subject to political pulls and pressure. This is a scenario that we can ill afford in our fight against terrorism. The Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) and the 1267 and 1989 Committee, both newly created, are in the process of formulating guidelines for the conduct of their work. We hope that these will address the deficiencies in the existing guidelines for these Committees. It is critical that all sanctions regimes established by the Council ensure due process in their working procedures and decision- making. The decision-making process should be swift, fair and transparent. The process of listing and de-listing must be guided by the same set of principles: fairness, credibility and transparency. The 1267 and 1989 Committee and the 1988 Committee must continue to focus on the linkages between Al-Qaida and the Taliban, which pose a serious threat to international peace and security. The Monitoring Team should examine the linkages between Al-Qaida and the Taliban comprehensively and objectively, and submit its reports and recommendations periodically, as mandated by resolutions 1988 (2011) and 1989 (2011). India supports the international efforts to prevent non-State actors and terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and their means of delivery. We are conscious of the dangers that the transfers of such WMDs to non-State actors could entail. Given the evolving complex challenges to international peace and security emanating from non-State actors, such risks are greater than ever before. The international community must join hands to eliminate the risks relating to sensitive materials and technologies falling into the hands of terrorists and non-State actors. The international response to the threat needs to be national as well as multilateral and global. We support the work of the 1540 Committee in accordance with its mandate. Finally, I apologize for having taken up so much of the Council’s time.

I thank Ambassador Puri for his briefing.

I should like to begin by thanking Ambassadors Sangqu, Wittig and Puri for their briefings, and I associate myself with the statement to be made later by the deputy head of the delegation of the European Union. We recently commemorated the tenth anniversary of the 11 September attacks. Even though Osama Bin Laden is dead, terrorism, whether related to Al-Qaida or not, remains a major threat to international peace and security. To counter this continually evolving threat, the United Nations, in particular the Security Council, in keeping with its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, must adapt so as to devise the most appropriate tools to deal with it. It was in that spirit that the Security Council decided to reform the sanctions regime against Al-Qaida last June. We had several objectives. It had become necessary, more than 10 years after the regime’s establishment, for developments in the situation on the ground to be reflected in its architecture. In addition to the fact that the Taliban and Al-Qaida have fundamentally different objectives, the relationship between them had become increasingly strained as the historical leaders of both movements died off. It was thus no longer relevant to deal with them in the same manner. It was also important to ensure that the regime against the Taliban had a more direct impact in terms of incentivizing the quest for a political solution to the situation in Afghanistan. Lastly, we welcome the fact that this review is in line with the process of ensuring procedural improvements. Resolution 1989 (2011) strengthened the role of the Office of the Ombudsperson regarding the Al-Qaida sanctions regime by ensuring it a decisive role regarding the delisting of individuals and entities. This not only represents an advance in terms of the rights of the individuals and entities on the list, but also enhances the credibility of the sanctions regime. By removing from the list individuals and entities that no longer belong on it, we have transformed the list into a living mechanism that reflects the current status of the threat. Combating terrorism at the international level also requires the full implementation of Security Council resolutions. For more than 10 years now, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) has been giving in-depth consideration to the resources and needs of each Member State with respect to combating terrorism. That task could not have been carried out without the support that has been provided since 2004 by the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED), whose outstanding work, guided by its Director, Mike Smith, I should like to commend. The review of the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) is coming to an end and must now be followed up on a regular basis. The Committee has at its disposal a number of effective mechanisms for monitoring the process of identifying gaps and achieving improvements in the legislative apparatus of Member States. The promotion of the rule of law and of a judicial approach to combating terrorism are essential in that respect. I would mention here the workshop organized by the CTED, held in Ankara last July, which brought together prosecutors specializing in counter-terrorism. Finally, in the context of the regionalization of the terrorist threat, closer cooperation between the affected States and more consistent international support should underpin our work. The United Nations has a key role to play in that respect and must continue to do so by taking advantage of its activities at the regional level, as is the case in West Africa with regard to transnational threats and in particular the terrorist threat in the Sahelian region. Nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical terrorism remains one of the main threats to our security. As emphasized in the report just submitted to the Council by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), progress has been made in addressing those threats. The challenges and activities related to resolution 1540 (2004) have since 2004 largely been mainstreamed within the United Nations, and States have taken numerous measures to implement the resolution. However, a great deal remains to be done, and we welcome the fact that the mandate of the 1540 Committee has been renewed for 10 years. Resolution 1977 (2011) provided the Committee with the resources to more effectively carry out its mandate, but they must be put to use. We must formally establish a group of experts, and the Committee itself must work to that end by submitting its recommendations to the Council as soon as possible, in accordance with the resolution. The Committee must also set out, as provided for in the resolution, specific priorities for its work in its annual programme and work on sharing experiences and best practices. It is only by fully utilizing these new instruments that we will enhance the effectiveness of the 1540 Committee and help countries to counter terrorism in a concrete manner. France is determined to promote the effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). We recently submitted to the Committee our national action plan, which outlines our actions at the international level in support of the resolution and the competences that we can mobilize to lend assistance to the countries that request it. During its presidency of the Group of Eight (G-8), France was active in the dialogue of the G-8 working group with the 1540 Committee experts, in particular regarding issues relating to assistance. As members know, my country coordinates the Committee’s Working Group on Assistance, and progress has already been made in that respect. The Committee thus has a follow-up mechanism for requests for and offers of assistance, which includes a regularly updated database, as outlined at the G-8 meeting held in October. We also welcome the specific visits made to countries, with the holding of a first visit to Washington, D.C., in September and several others at the preparation stage. Moreover, a number of areas are under consideration with a view to improving the Committee’s procedures in terms of assistance, better responding to the needs of countries in that regard, and continuing dialogue with all relevant organizations. Lastly, we should also continue our efforts to achieve coordination among the United Nations bodies that are involved in counter-terrorism and strengthen cooperation with other entities, such as, for instance, the recently established Global Counterterrorism Forum. We are counting on the work of the Counter- Terrorism Implementation Task Force to help move this cooperation forward.

I wish at the outset to thank Ambassadors Puri, Wittig and Sangqu for their briefings. In September, the Secretary-General hosted an extremely productive high-level symposium on counter-terrorism, marking the tenth anniversary of the events of 11 September 2001. That event allowed Member States to speak about the different contributions that the United Nations has made over the past decade to counter and prevent terrorism in all its forms and build a global community to speak out against it. The symposium also demonstrated broad support for United Nations efforts to counter violent extremism. Much of the focus was on the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the only universally approved approach to combating and preventing terrorism, and on the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), which, since its creation in 2005, has played a key role in strengthening cooperation and coordination among the now 31 parts of the United Nations system with a role in supporting implementation of the Strategy. The adoption of the Strategy and the institutionalization of CTITF, as well as the recent establishment of the United Nations Centre on Counter-Terrorism within the CTITF office, represent milestones in the evolution of the United Nations counter-terrorism programme and deserve our strong support. Also in September, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism (CTC) hosted an event marking the tenth anniversary of the adoption of that resolution and the establishment of the CTC. Over the past decade, the Council has shown a remarkable commitment to promoting the implementation of a resolution that helped galvanize the global movement to strengthen national and regional legal policy and institutional counter-terrorism frameworks. Since the Council established the Counter- Terrorism Committee, in the fall of 2001, the CTC has developed tailored interactive counter-terrorism dialogues with States. That has led to the gathering of unprecedented amounts of information on national efforts to implement resolution 1373 (2001), in what has essentially been a worldwide audit of counter- terrorism capacities. Partly as a result, many States have revised existing counter-terrorism laws, or adopted new ones, and ratified and implemented the universal instruments related to terrorism. In addition, the CTC has succeeded in identifying capacity gaps and in engaging with a range of assistance providers to help countries receive the training that they need. The evolution of the United Nations institutional counter-terrorism framework, culminating with the establishment of the United Nations Centre on Counter-Terrorism, has been encouraging. We hope that it will continue to evolve with the appointment of a United Nations counter-terrorism coordinator to serve as both the chair of the CTITF and the Secretary- General’s special adviser on counter-terrorism issues. With that enhanced political and institutional support within the United Nations system, we hope that there will be even more flexibility for the CTC and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) to address some of the critical counter- terrorism challenges. For example, more work remains to strengthen national sanctions regimes to take action against a broad range of terrorism threats and in countering the increase in kidnapping for ransom as a means of financing terrorism and other criminal activity. The United Nations also faces challenges in securing unmanned borders, which allow terrorists to travel with impunity, and in strengthening the capacity of civilian courts to prosecute terrorists. The United States is pleased to support CTED-led projects that bring together practitioners to address common counter-terrorism challenges. The United States would particularly like to thank CTC Chair Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, as well as Executive Director Mike Smith, for their strong leadership. The United States looks forward to intensifying our efforts with CTED and other relevant stakeholders, including civil society organizations, to ensure that the United Nations responds flexibly to the ever-changing terrorist threat. With regard to Al-Qaida sanctions, the United States welcomes the significant enhancements to the listing and delisting processes of the regimes of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities, outlined most recently in resolution 1989 (2011). The establishment of an independent Ombudsperson empowered to make recommendations to the Committee on de-listing petitions has begun to ensure that such procedures are fair and transparent. Similarly, we applaud the Committee’s ongoing efforts to undertake regular reviews of its list to make certain that the sanctions remain relevant and up to date. We believe that it is imperative that the Committee not lose sight of the need to ensure that such sanctions are fully implemented and appropriately calibrated to address current threats from Al-Qaida and its affiliates. Ensuring a fair process is important, but no less important are advancing our efforts to promote full implementation and ensuring that cases of non-compliance are adequately addressed. We look forward to working with the Committee and its Monitoring Team to examine the effectiveness of existing measures and to identify practical ways to enhance implementation efforts. Let me thank Ambassador Wittig and his team, as well as the Secretariat and the Ombudsperson, for their tremendous efforts. They have worked tirelessly to implement the reforms, and we are grateful for their efforts. I also thank the Monitoring Team of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) for its important work in proposing recommendations for improving the Committee’s work and in strengthening Member States’ implementation of the regime. Regarding the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) on non-proliferation, we want to express our continuing support for Chairman Sangqu. We look forward to 2012 as the Committee takes a more robust role in providing a strong and consistent voice for the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). That will require strategies to ensure that all States requesting assistance receive it, and active collaboration with key stakeholders to conduct implementation workshops and training sessions. To ensure greater implementation, the United States has made a voluntary contribution of $3 million to the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). We continue to encourage Member States and regional organizations to contribute to the UNODA Trust Fund and to the implementation activities of the 1540 Committee. Such implementation has matured beyond an initiative that is primarily report-focused. We now need to concentrate on implementation. In September, the United States hosted a visit by the 1540 Committee and its Group of Experts to observe our domestic efforts to implement the resolution. We hope that other States will invite the Committee to conduct such visits. Finally, we warmly thank the European Union (EU) and its Polish presidency for their cooperation on the joint United States-EU declaration on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and a fruitful First Committee side event focused on the resolution. The United States strongly encourages additional efforts to improve the overall effectiveness of the 1540 Committee’s operations, particularly improved matching of implementation assistance requests with offers of assistance. The General Assembly presidency and the support of its global partnership will help to make strong partnerships across that spectrum. In addition, we emphasize that the work of the Chair, the Committee, the Group of Experts and UNODA must be better integrated and coordinated within intergovernmental and regional organizations to maximize implementation. We are pleased by the progress made by the Committees under the capable leadership of the Chairs. The Council’s counter-terrorism efforts will guide and reinforce actions of Member States to deter terrorism, including the threats posed by Al-Qaida and its affiliated groups and the proliferation efforts of non-State actors.

We express our gratitude to the Permanent Representatives of India, Germany and South Africa for their reports on the work of the Committees under their leadership. Russia considers the future stepping up of efforts under the Committees as a precondition to enhancing the effectiveness of the Security Council’s contribution to countering global terrorism, which remains one of the main threats to international peace and security. We will continue our active and dynamic work with those subsidiary bodies of the Security Council. Among the activities of the Committees in the period following the May briefing in the Council (see S/PV.6536), we note the following. The high note of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism (CTC) was the first-ever holding, on 28 September, of an open special meeting commemorating the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001) and the CTC’s establishment. During the event, on the basis of careful and transparent analysis of the Committee’s 10 years of activity, its important role in and the significance of establishing a counter-terrorism substrategy within the United Nations, under its aegis, was acknowledged. The relevance of the provisions of resolution 1373 (2001), including those on counter-terrorism, was also recognized. We stand ready to support that high-profile body and the resolution. In preparation for that event, the Committee prepared and presented to the Council, together with the outcome document of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, an updated global survey on the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) (see S/2011/463, annex). Russia actively participated in the drafting of that document. The report objectively reflects the ongoing work on terrorism, achievements and gaps in implementing the resolution, and the defined modalities for future efforts of the CTC and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) for positive cooperation with Member States on future implementation and the elimination of identified shortcomings. The Committee continued its efforts to encourage States to more actively implement resolution 1624 (2005) on the basis of the CTC plan of action initiated by the Russian Federation. On the basis of the plan, we stand ready to identify priorities for the CTC, such as combating the ideologies of terrorism, preventing the radicalization of societies and fighting violent extremism, terrorist organization recruitment, incitement to terrorist acts and the use of media and the Internet by terrorists. In line with the plan, the Committee will conduct a series of regional seminars on resolution 1624 (2005), the first of which, for African States, will take place at the end of November in Nairobi. By the end of the year, the CTC will also prepare a global review of the implementation of the resolution to define the status of the situation with regard to priorities. We attach great importance to that work. We note the effective expert support provided to the CTC by CTED. We believe that the work of the Directorate on assessing terrorist threats and the risks associated with weapons of mass destruction, in particular man-portable air-defence systems from Libya, is in line with the Russian-initiated resolution 2017 (2011). With respect to the sanctions regime implemented under resolution 1267 (1999), the Russian Federation hopes that the resolution’s modification in June will serve to push the Government of Afghanistan to carry out a strategy of national reconciliation and provide additional impetus to achieving internationally agreed upon objectives for reaching a settlement in that country. The Committee must continue to be one of the key mechanisms of the Council in counter-terrorism. We continue to be convinced that, making a clear distinction between enablers of Al-Qaida and the pure Taliban is very difficult. That is the reason for the existence of duplicate listings on the two sanctions lists, which were unavoidable for objective reasons. We also believe that the adoption of sanctions with respect to individuals or organizations participating in terrorist activities must continue to be done on a case-by-case basis and in line with relevant procedures. We believe that the expanded prerogatives of the Ombudsperson in de-listing under the assigned Security Council mandate and the new procedures for processing de-listing requests seem, at the present stage, exhaustive and reflect optimal levels of transparency in the work of the Committee, which should be commensurate with the threats emanating from Al-Qaida, which, as experience has shown, continue to be significant. It is well known that in the final analysis the effectiveness of sanctions in countering terrorism depends on the implementation by States of their international obligations in this area. Unfortunately, we must note that there are significant problems in that regard. For instance, the July sanctions list included the terrorist organization Imarat Kavkaz, whose mouthpiece is their website, Kavkazcenter.com, which is hosted by an internet provider in Stockholm. In accordance with paragraph 6 of resolution 1989 (2011), that provider should be subject to financial sanctions to hamper its activities as a provider of internet hosting services. To date, the Swedish authorities have not been able to implement the Council’s decision in that regard. The website continues to disseminate terrorist propaganda and religious animosity, which is most regrettable. We value the work of the 1540 Committee and its Group of Experts during the reporting period. We welcome the intention of Ambassador Sangqu to make the Committee’s action more consistent and well planned. The Committee has continued its assigned activities to implement its mandate in all areas, including taking into account the new objectives of resolution 1977 (2011). It is important to note that after difficult negotiations an outcome document was adopted that reflects the Committee’s and the international community’s successes in fulfilling the requirements of resolution 1540 (2004) over the past three years. We believe that resolution 1540 (2004) is a key international legal instrument in the effort to stem terrorist access to weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), their means of delivery and related materials. The objectives of the resolution guide States in strengthening national monitoring systems in non-proliferation by adopting measures to prevent the illegal production, trafficking and transfer of WMDs and their means of delivery by ensuring accountability and the safety and security of dual-use goods through export control and border exchanges. Resolution 1977 (2011) strengthened the leading role of the United Nations and the Security Council in coordinating multilateral efforts in that regard, spurring the scaling up of such efforts. We believe it is important that the Committee continue to give priority to assisting States in implementing resolution 1540 (2004) by coordinating international endeavours to those ends. For our part, we stand ready to support assistance, particularly in the context of our cooperation on issues related to resolution 1540 (2004), for Member States that are part of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

I wish to thank Ambassadors Wittig, Singh Puri and Sangqu for their briefings. I also wish to express my appreciation for their leadership in contributing to the progress of the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities, the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter- terrorism (CTC) and the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), respectively. The Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee is an important counter-terrorism tool of the Security Council. Over the past period, the Committee has done a lot of work in splitting the sanctions list, improving the listing and de-listing procedures and updating its work guidance, thus laying a good foundation for the comprehensive implementation of resolution 1989 (2011). China supports the Committee in carrying forward the periodic review of the sanctions list as planned and hopes that Member States will cooperate with the work of the Committee in an active manner, in a joint effort to preserve the authority and effectiveness of the sanctions regime. On 28 September, the CTC held a special meeting in commemoration of its tenth anniversary. The meeting once again demonstrated the firm resolve of the international community to work together to combat terrorism and injected new impetus to the work of the Committee. China welcomes this turn of events. China supports the CTC in taking measures, such as holding regional symposiums and facilitating technical assistance, to continue to maintain dialogue with Member States and help them with capacity-building in counter-terrorism. Last April, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1977 (2011), which added a new request to the work of the 1540 Committee. China welcomes the Committee’s submission of its work report covering the period from 2008 to 2011, its adoption of its tenth work plan and the achievement of positive progress in promoting the implementation of the resolution in carrying out assistance and outreach activities. China supports the Committee in continuing with its sound and steady work in promoting the achievement of the goals of resolution 1540 (2004) in a comprehensive, balanced and effective manner and in assisting countries in fulfilling their obligations under the resolution. China hopes that the Committee will successfully complete its two important tasks in the coming period and come up with recommendations on the establishment of the panel of experts as soon as possible and successfully hold the first annual review of the implementation of the resolution. China is willing to continue to work with others’ support and take an active part in the Committee’s work in a joint effort in favour of the continued progress of the international non-proliferation process. Terrorism is the common enemy of the international community. As a victim of terrorism, China is opposed to all forms of terrorism and to the practice of double standards in counter-terrorism efforts. We hope that the international community will continue to strengthen cooperation in a joint effort to defend against and combat terrorism. China supports the United Nations and the Security Council in playing a central role in international counter-terrorism cooperation.

I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this debate. We also thank Ambassadors Sangqu, Wittig and Singh Puri for their briefings and for their skilful leadership of the key subsidiary bodies of the Security Council. In the past decade, the role played by the Security Council in the fight against terrorism has grown and quickly involved. To continue making progress, a stronger dialogue with the wider United Nations membership is indispensable. The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) has gone a long way in assisting Member States to overcome their shortfalls in implementing the measures set out in resolution 1373 (2001). We encourage the Committee to continue to develop mechanisms to facilitate technical assistance to countries that request it. We also commend the adoption of a regional approach. Attention to the specificities of each region provides us with a clear understanding of the challenges, and results in recommendations that are suited to each country’s reality. Brazil gladly notes that further progress has been made in the work of the Sanctions Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), in particular with regard to due process and the consideration of listing and de-listing requests. The decision taken by the Council in June to strengthen the role of the Ombudsperson reaffirmed our common interest in pursuing working methods that are more in tune with human rights considerations. We encourage the Committee to continue to reach out and take into account the views of other Member States, especially those of the residence and nationality of listed individuals and entities. Turning to the issue of non-proliferation, we commend the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), particularly in implementing assistance, cooperation and outreach efforts. Brazil also believes that the Committee should work, as much as possible, in close cooperation with other international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, in order to avoid duplication of effort. We also welcome the standing cooperation between the 1540 Committee and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. At the same time, Brazil stresses that only a world free of weapons of mass destruction will be able to completely eliminate the threat of the proliferation and use of those weapons. Commitments and efforts on non-proliferation have to be met by the fulfilment of disarmament obligations. Brazil is confident that the subsidiary bodies of the Security Council will continue to foster cooperation among Member States and help them to overcome obstacles to the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions. The delegations of India, Germany and South Africa can count on our full support of that work.

I would like to thank the Permanent Representatives of Germany, India and South Africa for their very insightful briefings on the activities of the Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004), respectively. Nigeria commends the 1373 Committee, under the dynamic leadership of Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, on the success of its special meeting held on 20 September to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001). The meeting afforded us all an opportunity to review the progress made in achieving the objectives that we established 10 years ago. There is no gainsaying that significant efforts have been made in the past 10 years in facilitating technical assistance and promoting outreach activities and cooperation among States and other stakeholders. We pay special tribute to the diligent efforts of the Committee as well as of Mr. Mike Smith and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and its Monitoring Team. The efforts of the Committee in updating the global survey on the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) are also commendable. Despite those improvements, much more needs to be done to enhance the institutional capacity of many States, strengthen the existing framework of international cooperation and build new partnerships, particularly in and among regions. In the same vein, greater emphasis is needed on conditions conducive to the existence and spread of terrorism. Nigeria believes that the effectiveness of our efforts in fighting terrorism correlates with our ability to successfully address the economic, social and political conditions that feed that phenomenon. It is therefore essential that preventing and countering incitement to commit terrorist acts, including that motivated by extremism and intolerance, mark a point of departure in finding a durable solution to the threat of terrorism. In that regard, we call on the Committee to expedite action on the preparation of a global survey of the implementation of resolution 1624 (2005). There is no doubt that a proper assessment of the different levels of experience and challenges that exist within countries and regions on the implementation of the resolution would greatly enhance the work of the Committee. The 1540 Committee plays a crucial role in enhancing the efforts to counter proliferation-related threats. We appreciate the work done by Ambassador Baso Sangqu and the Committee, as well as its Group of Experts, since our last meeting in May (see S/PV.6536). We believe that the Committee worked assiduously in promoting greater understanding of resolution 1540 (2004) among stakeholders, and more visibility for the Committee. We welcome the adoption of the report (see S/2011/579) of the Committee on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), as well as its tenth programme of work. The conclusion of work on the establishment of a group of experts is needed to underpin those efforts. Nigeria appreciates the clearing house role of the Committee. The Committee has made great strides forward in improving its procedures for matching offers and requests for assistance. It should strive to sustain those efforts, particularly those aimed at raising awareness of assistance needs and requests by States. The active engagement of all States is vital in ensuring the effective implementation of resolutions 1540 (2004) and 1977 (2011). In that connection, we commend the Government of the United States of America for hosting the Committee in September. Such country visits are helpful in promoting dialogue, information sharing and cooperation between the Committee and Member States. It is our hope that the visit by the United States will engender more requests for that type of mission. Nigeria attaches great importance to the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999). We commend Ambassador Peter Wittig, the Committee and the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team for sustaining reforms of the sanctions regime. The continuous improvement of the sanctions regime will go a long way in ensuring a reliable and transparent procedure. We reiterate the importance of consulting affected States during the listing and de-listing of individuals and entities from the consolidated list and of consistencies with international standards of due process, international law and respect for human rights, in order to reinforce the credibility of the sanctions regime. The decision of the Council to split its regime relating to resolution 1267 (1999) has positioned the Committee for better performance. This will also help to refocus attention on preventing and addressing existing threats in a more effective manner. The Committee should conclude the process of revising the guidelines and the conduct of its work in order to ensure that evolving Al-Qaida threats are adequately addressed. The giant stride to improve the working methods, including the decision to publish narrative summaries of reasons for listings on its website and the addition of the Ombudsperson’s recommendation to cases reviewed by her Office, are important developments in the Committee’s reform process. We welcome the remarkable efforts of Ms. Kimberly Prost in assisting the Committee’s work. Nigeria is pleased with the close cooperation among the three Security Council Committees and with other organizations, within and outside the United Nations. We encourage them to sustain their joint efforts to improve information-sharing and to coordinate relationships with relevant international, regional and subregional organizations and participation within the framework of the Counter- Terrorism Implementation Task Force.

First of all, allow me to express my appreciation to Ambassador Sangqu of South Africa, Ambassador Wittig of Germany and Ambassador Singh Puri of India for their detailed reports on the activities of the counter-terrorism Committees and for their dynamic and excellent efforts in leading those activities. The recommendations and analyses in their briefings deserve our careful attention. The Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004) are essential mechanisms to ensure the implementation of the obligations derived from those instruments. It is therefore essential to continue coordinating their activities, to continuously assess their working methods and to revitalize their tools in order to facilitate assistance and cooperation to Member States. The 1540 Committee has shown a positive trend in the implementation by States of measures to prevent nuclear, chemical and/or biological weapons and their delivery systems from falling into the hands of armed non-State actors, and to prevent the spread of such weapons by strengthening the international non-proliferation regimes. Among the Committee’s activities, two deserve special mention: the adoption of the report (see S/2011/579) on compliance with resolution 1540 (2004), submitted in accordance with the provisions of resolution 1810 (2008); and the adoption of its tenth programme of work. In addition, the four working groups created in 2009 as part of the Committee’s eighth programme of work, which focus on national monitoring and national implementation, assistance, cooperation with international organizations and transparency and media outreach, respectively, have proven to be very useful in making the work of the Committee more efficient and effective. The organization of outreach activities at the national, subregional and regional levels has been useful to efforts to promote Member State implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). In that spirit, Colombia will hold, next March in Bogotá, a regional workshop for representatives of Governments, the private sector and civil society. This will be a valuable opportunity to promote and facilitate interaction between Member States and international, regional and subregional organizations. The 1540 Committee has been an important partner in the context of non-proliferation. Its cooperation with international, regional and subregional organizations has made an effective contribution to improving border and export controls, increasing technical assistance and building national capacities. We recognize, however, that much remains to be done. The threat remains extremely serious and we can confront it only by adopting appropriate and effective measures. Regarding the 1267 Committee, Colombia welcomes the reforms of the regime introduced in resolution 1989 (2011), which are aimed at improving respect for due process, transparency and quality of the information contained in the consolidated list. The establishment of the Office of the Ombudsperson and the strengthening of its mandate in resolution 1989 (2011) have been fundamental steps in efforts to strengthen and ensure the legitimacy of the regime. The number of de-listing requests processed by the Office, the reports that it has presented to the Committee and the decisions taken to date as a result of its efforts show that this is an essential entity that could be replicated in all sanctions committees. In order to benefit the sanctions regime, two areas need to be strengthened: the quality of information submitted by States when proposing names for inclusion on the sanctions list, and the provision of technical assistance to States in order to facilitate the full implementation of their obligations. I will now refer to the 1373 Committee. We agree with Ambassador Puri on the relevance of the special meeting commemorating the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001) and the outcome document adopted, which reflects the issues on which there is consensus within the Organization. We also highlight the publication of the global implementation survey of resolution 1373 (2001), updated to 2011, which provides an overview of the progress achieved in implementing the various aspects of the resolution and assesses the evolution and emergence of risks. Despite the deficiencies and gaps identified in the survey, States have clearly made significant progress and now have more appropriate legal and operational frameworks to fight terrorism. That is why the Committee must strengthen its dialogue with Member States and work closely and in a coordinated manner with the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force and other United Nations bodies, which have the experience and the mandate to assist States in capacity-building to implement the numerous international instruments related to the fight against terrorism, including the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the relevant Security Council resolutions. We agree with the Chair of the 1373 Committee that there is a need to continue paying particular attention to respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. In that regard, we highlight the emphasis given in resolutions 1624 (2005) and 1963 (2010) to this core aspect of international counter-terrorism efforts. Colombia is convinced that more attention needs to be given to defending and protecting the rights of victims. We must ensure that the voices of the victims are heard and that States have appropriate mechanisms for redress. To that end, targeted measures should be promoted in order to protect, promote and recognize the rights of victims. My delegation welcomes the briefing given to the 1373 Committee by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. We trust that the Committee will hold more such exchanges and continue to cooperate closely with his office. In conclusion, and stressing the importance that Colombia attaches to defending and protecting the rights of victims of terrorism, I would like to draw attention to the forthcoming publication of the handbook on criminal justice responses to terrorism, prepared by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in collaboration with some States, including Colombia. We hope that the handbook will provide the basis for the capacity-building activities undertaken by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate to ensure that the voices of the victims are heard in criminal proceedings.

Allow me to thank the Chairmen of the three Committees, the Permanent Representatives of India, Germany and South Africa, for their comprehensive briefings and ongoing efforts with all members of the Security Council to promote international counter-terrorism cooperation. I would like to make the following comments. First, with respect to the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities, we commend the measures adopted by consensus by the Security Council in resolution 1989 (2011) to enhance the transparency and fairness of the working methods of the Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee and to guarantee the fundamental rights of the individuals and entities on the sanctions list. Those objectives will be achieved, in particular, by promoting and enhancing the mandate of the Ombudsperson, whose recommendations for the listing and de-listing of names have now essentially become decisive. That will put an end to cases of arbitrary listing. The number of requests submitted to the Ombudsperson to date attests to her important role. We therefore believe it necessary to provide the Ombudsperson with all the logistical resources required to carry out her duties and fulfil her mandate. We also commend the efforts of the Committee and its Monitoring Team, which have led to the publication, on the Committee’s website and in the six official languages of the Organization, of the reasons for the listing of all names. We further emphasize the importance of continuously updating the consolidated list and removing the names of individuals with insufficient identifying information, as well as the names of entities that have ceased to exist. That will help to promote the reliability and accuracy of the list and enhance the implementation of sanctions by various States. In the same context, we believe it necessary for the Committee to justify all of its decisions. Lebanon insists that sanctions always be in compliance with the Charter of the United Nations and its human rights provisions. Secondly, with regard to the Counter-Terrorism Committee, established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001), we commend the efforts of Committee and its Executive Directorate to promote the legislative and institutional capacities of States to combat terrorism, which continues to develop in various forms and means. We also encourage continued dialogue, cooperation and coordination with States and regional organizations to implement resolution 1373 (2001) and other relevant resolutions, because combating terrorism can be complemented by national, regional and international measures. We welcome the 2011 global survey on the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) by Member States (S/2011/463, annex), which evaluated the progress achieved in implementing that resolution in various geographic areas. It addressed the developing challenges and risks and discussed existing gaps in implementation and how to tackle them. We look forward to the issuance of a similar study on the implementation of resolution 1624 (2005) by the end of this year. We also emphasize the importance of the meeting of this Committee on the tenth anniversary of its establishment, which provided an opportunity for all States and international and regional organizations to express their position on counter-terrorism. We call for taking into consideration the various points of view offered during that meeting in the next stage of the Committee’s work. Thirdly, I turn to the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). We welcome the most recent report of that Committee (S/2011/579) and its tenth programme of work. We emphasize the importance of supporting and cooperating with it in order to achieve the objectives set out in resolution 1977 (2011). We especially support current efforts to implement operational paragraph 5 (b) of that resolution. With Lebanon’s membership in the Security Council coming to a close, it is important for us to stress the importance of paragraph 17 of the final document on the Committee’s 2009 comprehensive review (S/2010/52, annex), which discusses the importance of efforts that can be carried out by States in implementing resolution 1540 (2004) after their membership on the Committee has ended. We also commend the efforts of the four Working Groups, on Monitoring and National Implementation, Assistance, Cooperation with International Organizations, and Transparency and Outreach. We further find that the assistance provided by the Committee and expert groups to countries that request it is more than a principal factor in the implementation of the resolution. That assistance also enhances the exchange of expertise and capacity-building for taking effective measures at the national level to prevent terrorists and non-State actors from reaching sensitive materials and technologies related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, whether nuclear, chemical or biological. We would like to remind members of the efforts of the League of Arab States in this context and to emphasize the importance of making the Middle East a zone free of such weapons. We welcome the appointment of a facilitator to prepare for the 2012 conference on establishing a zone free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, in implementation of the action plan set out in the Final Document of the 2010 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Lebanon knows very well the dangers of terrorism because of the attacks it has suffered over so many years. We emphasize our continued constructive cooperation with the three Committees and our full support for international efforts to combat terrorism. Furthermore, in the face of continued horrible terrorist attacks today, which have also targeted United Nations offices and its various bodies, we are more convinced than ever that the success of counter- terrorism efforts will above all require addressing the root causes of terrorism and the removal of the factors that nurture it by eliminating areas of tension and double standards in the implementation of international legitimacy, as well as by putting an end to foreign occupation, ignorance and poverty. We also encourage promoting the culture of acceptance of others, along with dialogue between various cultures and religions, as an indispensable tool for the success of anti-terrorism efforts.

We are reminded every day that terrorism still represents an undefeated, challenging and demanding threat of our times. Therefore, the fight against terrorism holds the highest priority. We are certain that only our joint efforts and coordinated and decisive action can lead to its ultimate defeat. We thank Ambassador Wittig, Ambassador Puri and Ambassador Sangqu for their leadership in those efforts as Chairs of the committees that hold and play an essential role in the overall counterterrorism framework. Their detailed briefings have provided us with an opportunity to re-evaluate tools and measures taken, as well as to consider future steps in order to further improve the Council’s efforts in countering this global and ever-present threat. The past six months brought considerable changes to the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), with the primary focus on strengthening and further enhancing its procedures and specific elements. Resolutions 1988 (2011) and 1989 (2011), adopted in June this year, were a direct result of the changing dynamics in the maintenance of international peace and security and our fight against terrorism. The split of the 1267 regime was a necessary response to different requirements and the evolved threat of terrorism, where somewhat specific new approaches and perspectives were needed for our fight against terrorism to be more efficient. My country fully supported the reform of the sanctions regime, as resolution 1989 (2011) further reinforced and strengthened substantial improvements introduced in resolutions 1822 (2008) and 1904 (2009). I particularly wish to emphasize the additionally enhanced role of the Ombudsperson and the new delisting procedures as crucial aspects in the continuous demand for a more clear, fair and effective overall system. As we focus on the implementation of those newly introduced elements, we are also aware that upholding the credibility of the sanctions regime by means of its effectiveness, transparency and fairness requires our constant attention and the careful consideration of future steps. The date of 28 September was significant in both 2001, when resolution 1373 (2001) was adopted, and in 2011, when States reconfirmed the essential role and importance of that resolution in the overall counter- terrorism framework. As we put special emphasis on its full implementation and the further strengthening of its key aspects, together with resolution 1624 (2005), we unconditionally support every effort of the Counter- Terrorism Committee, together with the valuable assistance of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate, in that respect. Thematic discussions and regional presentations within the Committee bring more focus on challenges, deficiencies and difficulties in the implementation of the respective resolutions. We are pleased to see that the plans of the Chair are moving in the direction of continued engagement of the Committee in those discussions and making enhanced use of its outcomes and results. That can significantly complement the monitoring component and appropriately direct the delivery of technical assistance. We also note with satisfaction that regular briefings for Member States proved to be a step in the right direction and an indispensable tool in enhancing transparency and efficiency, creating a wider forum for the exchange of views and recommendations. The prevention of proliferation of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery, especially their potential acquisition by non-State actors, is critical to international peace and security. With the unanimous adoption of resolution 1977 (2011) and the 10-year extension of the mandate of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), the Council sent a strong message that resolution 1540 (2004) remains an important instrument of the global non-proliferation and counter- terrorism regimes. Bosnia and Herzegovina attaches great importance to the role played by the 1540 Committee and its Group of Experts in promoting the implementation of the resolution. We welcome in this respect the Committee’s report (see S/2011/579) on compliance with resolution 1540 (2004), submitted to the Security Council in September. The report acknowledges that, while important progress has been made, further efforts are required to fully implement resolution 1540 (2004). The report also contains important recommendations that should serve as a basis for the Committee’s future work. We all are aware that the full and effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) requires continuous long-term efforts at the national, regional and international levels. We also need to bear in mind that, for many States, the comprehensive implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) presents a very complex and costly process. Therefore, we look forward to the Committee’s efforts to strengthen its role in channelling assistance to States in need and matching requests with States providers of assistance. Bosnia and Herzegovina would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our call upon Member States to extend their financial contributions in order to support States in identifying and addressing their needs in the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). In conclusion, terrorism is a global phenomenon and no country can defeat it on its own. The complexity of terrorism requires an equally complex and comprehensive response, while cooperation and coordination among all relevant stakeholders are sine qua non conditions. Bosnia and Herzegovina will, for its part, continue to give its fullest support and contribute to the overall international efforts in countering terrorism, through our actions at both the State and the international levels.

The threat of terrorism continues to loom over international peace and security. The heinous terrorist acts recently committed in Nigeria highlight their perpetrators’ contempt for human life and all the values we hold dear. I take this opportunity to express yet again, and vehemently, my country’s strong condemnation of such acts and those who commit them. The ongoing threat remains so strong that to defeat the scourge of terrorism will require increased focus and vigilance on the part of the Council. My delegation thanks Ambassadors Wittig, Puri and Sangqu for their briefings on the work of the Committees they chair. We express our firm support for the actions and mechanisms of the fight against terrorism put in place by resolution 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) on Al-Qaida sanctions, 1373 (2001), which led to the creation of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, and resolution 1540 (2004) on weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. I would like to say a few words about the work of the Committees. Regarding the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated persons and entities, my delegation commends the Council’s 17 June adoption of resolution 1988 (2011) and 1989 (2011), creating new sanctions regimes for the Taliban in Afghanistan and Al-Qaida, respectively. We also applaud the commitment of the Committee, with the help of the Secretariat and the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, to implement resolution 1989 (2011), in particular by carrying out the provisions governing its working methods. Moreover, strengthening the mandate of the Ombudsperson in the de-listing persons and entities on sanctions lists is a significant and welcome step forward, especially in allowing the Ombudsperson to make recommendations to the Committee on those cases. My delegation believes that the Ombudsperson and the Monitoring Team must continue to lend their valuable support to the Committee in order to bolster its effectiveness, transparency and fairness. The Committee must also maintain communications with the Member States in order to improve its grasp of the difficulties they face. Increased contact at the regional and subregional levels would contribute greatly to enhanced cooperation, facilitating implementation by States of resolution 1989 (2011). Continued cooperation in information- sharing between the Committee and INTERPOL remains essential. We encourage the Committee to continue reviewing the lists for entities that no longer exist and for listings that are not sufficiently warranted. Regarding the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), established by resolution 1373 (2001), of which my country chairs subcommittee C, the special event commemorating the tenth anniversary of resolution 1373 (2001) organized by the CTC and CTED on 28 September focused on the principle of zero tolerance and the need to take a multidimensional approach in the fight against terrorism, which we welcome. In that regard, Mr. President, my delegation would like to thank you for your initiative to address the role of peacekeeping missions in the fight against terrorism. It is also encouraging to note that the Committee updated the global survey of the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001), assessing the nature and degree of the difficulties countries have in fully implementing that resolution. We take this opportunity to stress that Gabon believes that strengthening the capacities of States in confronting terrorism is essential to an effective global strategy to fight terrorism, because in places where the State security structure is in crisis an increase in terrorist acts is always a serious threat. Effective measures aimed at strengthening national capacities, bearing in mind specific needs and known threats, should be urgently undertaken. Regarding the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), my delegation welcomes its presentation on 12 September 2011 of its report (S/2011/579) on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), and on 17 June of its tenth programme of work. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is a serious threat to international peace and security. In that regard and pursuant to its programme of work, the Committee will have to better promote international instruments of non-proliferation and disarmament to effectively fight that phenomenon. The Committee should also improve its dialogue with the 1267 and 1989 Committees and the Counter- Terrorism Committee, maintaining sufficiently close cooperation to confront threats specific to some States or regions, such as the illicit movement of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. It should also promote cooperation with international, regional and interregional organizations, as well as education, collaboration and assistance to drive forward the full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). In conclusion, the fight against terrorism demands more engaged international cooperation, and we must make sure that the relevant mechanisms fulfil their role in building the capacities of States that are ill-equipped to effectively engage in the fight against the scourge. Our efforts in the fight must combine in a global approach that strictly honours the obligations imposed by international law, human rights law, refugee law and international humanitarian law.

I would like to thank the Chairs of the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001), and of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), Ambassadors Wittig, Puri and Sangqu, for their comprehensive briefings today and for their effective leadership of those Committees. We have passed an important milestone since we last met in this format. In September we marked the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the subsequent adoption of resolution 1373 (2001). The attacks of 9/11 changed the way we viewed terrorism. It was the first time we had faced such a global terrorist threat, and it provided an essential impetus to strengthening international cooperation. Much has been achieved by the Counter- Terrorism Committee over the last 10 years. This includes building counter-terrorism legislation, strengthening law-enforcement bodies and helping to create units to tackle terrorist financing. The United Kingdom supports the Counter-Terrorism Committee’s continuing cooperation with Member States as they build their capacity to deal with terrorism in all its forms. Let me now turn to the Al-Qaida sanctions regime. The adoption of resolution 1989 (2011) in June this year was an important step in our collective endeavour to ensure that sanctions against Al-Qaida remain effective, responsive and fair. Resolution 1989 (2011) introduced important changes in how the regime works. Most notably, it further strengthened the Office of the Ombudsperson by introducing the power to make recommendations on de-listing, by urging States to provide information, including confidential information, and by encouraging individuals challenging their listing in courts to submit their cases to the Ombudsperson. The United Kingdom also welcomed innovations in de-listing processes, particularly through the introduction of two so-called smart sunset clauses. We believe that these changes have helped the Al-Qaida sanctions regime maintain its relevance. Nimbler and more transparent de-listing procedures mean that the regime is better placed to respond to the evolving terrorist threat, while protecting the rights of individuals. We believe that the procedures the Council introduced will lead to a more targeted and focused tool. As we work together in combating terrorism, we do not forget the challenges posed to our collective security by proliferation. All countries, regardless of whether they hold chemical, biological or nuclear materials, have a responsibility under resolution 1540 (2004) to take action to prevent proliferation. We were encouraged that most States have provided initial reports to the Committee, but it is important that all States provide updates as they make progress in implementing the resolution. States should also recognize that action undertaken, for example, when improving border security, is relevant to resolution 1540 (2004), and making such linkages will enable more effective reporting to the Committee. I would like to close by reiterating the importance that the United Kingdom attaches to the Security Council’s fight against terrorism, as well as our ongoing commitment to the work of the 1989, 1373 and 1540 Committees.

I will now make a statement in my capacity as representative of Portugal. First, I would like to thank Ambassadors Sangqu, Wittig and Puri for their comprehensive briefings, and also to commend them for their work, leadership and commitment in chairing the three Security Council Committees focused on the fight against terrorism. I would also like to say that Portugal aligns itself with the statement that will be delivered later by the representative of the European Union. Concerning the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001), we are pleased to note that the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), assisted by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), continues to pursue its very productive work. We note with particular appreciation the recent special meetings of the Committee, with wide participation by States and international organizations, including a separate event for members of civil society. The issuing of the 2011 edition of the global survey on universal implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) (S/2011/463, annex) also represents a very welcome and useful achievement. I would like to focus in particular on the following elements contained in the report, to which we attach special importance. First is the preventive aspects of the fight against terrorism. We are pleased to note their relevance to the CTC’s current framework of activities, and we encourage the Committee to pursue this direction. Secondly, on human rights and the rules of law, we strongly believe that by promoting and protecting human rights while fighting terrorism, States and other international actors contribute solidly to preventing terrorism by addressing the conditions conducive to its development and spread. Thirdly, regional approaches, cooperation with international organizations and capacity-building programmes are key tools already well incorporated into the guidelines and practice of the CTC and CTED’s actions, which we strongly encourage and support. Turning to the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), we very much support the positive reported achievements, particularly as regards, on one side, the publication on the website of narrative summaries of the reasons for all listings, and on the other, the important developments concerning the activities of the Office of the Ombudsperson. These achievements are good news and significantly enhance due process and the transparency of the sanctions regime. Taking into account the new framework for action established by resolutions 1988 (2011) and 1989 (2011), we also congratulate the Committee and its Monitoring Team for the action taken in re-evaluating the links between Al-Qaida and the Afghan Taliban. It represents an important element in updating the assessment of the terrorist threat and provides a useful contribution to more focused action by the 1267 and 1989 Committee, together with the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011). As for the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), I welcome all the work done since resolution 1977 (2011) was adopted in April. I welcome in particular the ongoing efforts to better outline the annual review of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), with a forward-looking perspective that will provide useful information to the Council on matters that might need further attention, as well as on practical guidelines to facilitate the matchmaking between requests for and offers of assistance. I also share the sense of urgency in achieving agreed recommendations, in accordance with paragraph 5 (b) of resolution 1977 (2011), on expertise requirements, broad geographic representation, working methods, modalities and structure, including consideration of the feasibility of a coordination and leadership position of the group of experts. Lastly, I wish to underline the importance of the joint European Union-United States declaration in October regarding resolutions 1540 (2004) and 1977 (2011), reaffirming our strong commitment to full and comprehensive implementation of their provisions, as well as to strengthening of the role and capacity of the 1540 Committee. In a final word, I would like to welcome the cooperation among the three Committees, which we strongly support and encourage. Sharing information, joint visits and assessments, enhanced coordination of efforts and initiatives and further interaction in matters of common interest, including within the framework of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, are indeed very important tools for maximizing the effectiveness of the action developed by each of the three Committees mandated to fight terrorism. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of Japan.

At the outset, I would like to pay tribute to the Chairs of the Council’s three counter-terrorism-related Committees for their informative and comprehensive briefings on developments during the last six months. We commend the successful holding of the Secretary-General’s symposium on international counter-terrorism cooperation, and the special meeting held in September of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001) and to advance international cooperation in that area. As this year marks a milestone in our collective efforts to combat terrorism, we feel confident that those meetings provided a good opportunity for the international community to reflect on and review the progress made to date in the fight against terrorism. We also welcome the fact that the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) has been officially launched, at the initiative of the United States of America, and has already begun its activities. The GCTF is a new and unprecedented forum intended to foster discussion on counter-terrorism measures. We expect that through the sharing of experience and good practices through candid discussion in the five working groups under the GCTF, international cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism will be further strengthened. We also hope that close cooperation and constructive dialogue between the GCTF and the three Committees will contribute to a more coherent and holistic implementation of counterterrorism measures. We welcome the recent remarkable progress in the field of counterterrorism, including the deaths of Al-Qaida leaders Osama Bin Laden and Anwar Al-Awlaki. Such successes notwithstanding, we must bear in mind the fact that the deaths of some of Al-Qaida’s executive members do not mean that Al-Qaida itself has been annihilated, and we must remember that Al-Qaida still has the capacity to conduct serious terrorist attacks. Terrorism continues to be an imminent and global threat. The deep-seated problems surrounding terrorism, such as radicalization and terrorism financing, must be addressed in an appropriate manner. To eradicate terrorism, a multifaceted approach by all stakeholders is also vital. The three Committees have played a significant role in this context and should further enhance their efforts in this field. We welcome the adoption of Security Council resolutions 1988 (2011) and 1989 (2011), by which sanctions against Al-Qaida and the Taliban are divided and implemented separately. In particular, the enhancement of the Ombudsperson’s role in the process of delisting some persons from the consolidated list is highly appreciated. We believe that this measure will improve the legitimacy and credibility of United Nations counter-terrorism measures. In order to improve the effectiveness of sanctions, it is essential to ensure the credibility of the consolidated list. In that regard, we wish to underscore the importance of the continuous review of the consolidated list. The Government of Japan is ready to cooperate actively with the work of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities, the Ombudsperson and the monitoring team. We welcome the publication of the report by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). The importance of global efforts in the area of non-proliferation cannot be overstated. In order to ensure sufficient support from Member States, it is essential that they be requested not only to take measures to implement the resolution but also to make the activities of the 1540 Committee known and to enhance transparency. In support of the work of the 1540 Committee, Japan hosted in May 2011 a seminar on non-proliferation and disarmament, aimed at increasing awareness and promoting the sharing of knowledge and experiences among Member States. As a follow-up to this effort, we will organize another seminar on 5 December. It is critical that all Member States make a concerted effort for the full implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions through measures such as introducing legislation on export control and strengthening their capacity in this area by increasing the levels of relevant personnel and reinforcing the relevant organizations. It is equally important to involve all Member States in discussions on how to achieve such objectives. Japan will continue to cooperate closely with the activities of the 1540 Committee. In conclusion, we strongly hope that the three Committees will make a determined effort to enhance their mutual cooperation while avoiding any duplication of work, as well as to cooperate with Member States and other relevant organizations for our common goal of eradicating terrorism. The Government of Japan will continue to take all possible measures to counter terrorism and to cooperate positively in the efforts of the three Committees.

I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

The Pakistan delegation felicitates you, Mr. President, for your excellent stewardship of the Security Council. We also congratulate Ambassador Joy Ogwu and the Permanent Mission of Nigeria for their successful presidency of the Council during October 2011. We are grateful to the Chairs of the Committees for their briefings, which are a valued form of direct interaction between Member States and the Committees. In the interest of brevity, I shall read out an abridged version of our statement; the full text will be circulated to delegations. Pakistan strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes. Terrorism and extremism should not be associated with any religion, race, ethnicity, faith, value system, culture or society. No religious tradition or doctrine should be depicted as encouraging or inspiring acts of terrorism. Pakistan, as the biggest victim of terrorism, has paid an enormous price in blood and treasure in the fight against this scourge. Pakistan has made considerable progress in countering the financing of terrorism. Pakistan has become a party to the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and has enacted a landmark anti-money-laundering bill. A financial monitoring unit has been established in the State Bank of Pakistan to monitor suspicious financial transactions. We welcome the split of the sanctions regime under resolution 1267 (1999) into the Al-Qaida Committee and the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011), focusing on the Taliban with its country-specific regime. We hope that the separation of Committees will go a long way towards refocusing the energies of the international community in a more precise manner. Pakistan appreciates the fact that the role of the Ombudsperson has been enhanced in Security Council resolution 1989 (2011). We believe that Security Council resolution 1977 (2011), which extended the mandate of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), should have been negotiated after an open debate in the Security Council in which all Members of the United Nations would have had the opportunity to express their views, inter alia, on scope, limitations, future direction, tenure of mandate and experiences on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). Such an open debate would have provided a sound basis for negotiating the extension of the 1540 Committee. An open and inclusive process for discussing the resolution would have helped to increase the level of confidence of all States Members of the United Nations in this process, as they are the ones that ultimately are required to implement the resolution, which has its roots in State-driven efforts.

I now give the floor to the representative of Spain.

I appreciate this opportunity for my delegation to participate in this open debate on the activities undertaken by the three Security Council Committees involved in the fight against terrorism. In that regard, I associate myself fully with the statement to be made later by the representative of the delegation of the European Union. Terrorism is an aggressive, ever-changing phenomenon that requires us to continue to promote and strengthen cooperation at every level, with no room for complacency. We must be able to face new threats such as terrorism’s growing links with international organized crime and illegal trafficking, the risk of nuclear terrorism and cyberterrorism. Unilateral or improvised solutions are not a valid alternative; a legitimate and systematic perspective based on international cooperation is required. We can congratulate ourselves for having contributed to the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the relevant Security Council resolutions and the international legal instruments in force. The United Nations system has been carrying out important work in the fight against terrorism and should continue to play a significant role as the guarantor of international law. We believe that the Security Council’s work should be carried out in complementarity with the efforts of the General Assembly, as the forum in which the responses of the international community to the global problems of our time should be addressed. I should like to reiterate the firm commitment of Spain to the fight against all forms of terrorism, whatever its motivations or manifestations, and my Government’s wish that this undertaking have ongoing priority in the context of the agenda of the United Nations. I should like also to reiterate our full support for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, which during its six years of existence has become an instrument of preventive diplomacy with political, social, judicial, economic, religious, media and security dimensions, as well as in the area of intercultural dialogue. Political and moral reasons should influence us in providing assistance and support to victims of terrorism. The convening by the Secretary-General of a new symposium in support of victims of terrorism, as a continuation of the one held in 2008, would be greatly appreciated by Spain. I would like to thank the Chairs of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities, the Counter- Terrorism Committee and the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) for the information provided and for the work that they have carried out together with their respective expert groups. First, Spain would like to highlight the work of the 1267 Committee. We value its efforts to increase the transparency of the review and updating of the names of persons and entities on the consolidated list to the sanctions regime. The Council’s adoption of resolution 1989 (2011) led to an improvement of the Committee’s proceedings and the quality of the list. We underscore the need to continue to ensure the impartiality and transparency of those proceedings and the important role of the Ombudsperson in improving that impartiality and transparency. We also wish to emphasize the important work of the Monitoring Team of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), and we welcome the extension of its mandate for another 18 months. Spain also wishes to highlight the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate (CTED) to monitor compliance with resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005) and 1963 (2010) and to facilitate technical assistance to countries that request it. The work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate in the past 10 years has been of great importance in promoting and monitoring compliance with resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005). The efforts of CTED to meet its mandate should be commended. Convinced of the great value of its contributions, we consider it desirable to reinforce its human and material capacities in order to have a stronger direct presence and assistance on the ground in recipient countries. The adoption of resolution 1963 (2010), which extended the mandate of the Executive Directorate, will increase its participation in the work of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force and make it the great facilitator of technical assistance to strengthen the capacities of States, thereby strengthening the desired coordination in the fight against terrorism. The proliferation and possession of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors or by States on the margins or in violation of international legality are serious threats to international peace and security. We therefore express our support for the efforts of the 1540 Committee to draw up mechanisms to monitor the implementation of that resolution and to work to extend its universal application. Spain welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 1977 (2011), which extends and strengthens the mandate of that Committee in the vital context of Member States’ full and strict compliance with their obligations and commitments in relation to arms control, disarmament and the non-proliferation in all its aspects of all weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. Allow me to underscore the importance of the framework’s entities that answer to the Security Council and those under the Secretariat, and more closely linked to the General Assembly, maintaining sufficiently flexibility and coordination to enable a consistent, complementary and integrated action in our efforts to eradicate terrorism. We are ready to continue the necessary consideration and discussions to further improve the framework that we have established. I conclude by expressing my appreciation for the efforts of the three Committees to improve the effectiveness of their work. The increasing awareness of the need to respect the rights of individuals in all measures is also encouraging. With that essential respect for human rights, the international community must demonstrate its strong determination to confront the barbarity of terrorism.

I now give the floor to the representative of Israel.

I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important debate. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the Chairpersons of the counter-terrorism committees for their informative briefings. Today’s meeting is an opportunity to put out a call for effective and collective action in the fight against terrorism around the world. That is an imperative for the international community. Divided, we cannot address the core challenges of terrorism; united, we can; and for the sake of our children and our common security, we also must do so. Last September, the Security Council adopted an outcome document to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001). It highlighted the close links between terrorists and criminal networks, illustrating the clear connection among terrorist activity, money-laundering and illegal arms and narcotics trafficking. Time and again, we see that terrorists will take advantage of any weakness in governance and international cooperation to advance their aims. A gap in any State’s counter-terrorism capacity is a weak link that can be exploited, with potentially devastating consequences for the rest of the world. We must face that challenge together. The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy provides an important framework for collective action. Each and every Member State must recognize its role in advancing the full implementation of that Strategy, along with all other relevant Security Council resolutions. The recent global survey by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism (CTC) of the implementation of the resolution (see S/2011/463, annex) illustrates the great challenges that still lie ahead. Large areas of the globe remain vulnerable. Many States have failed to enact national counter- terrorism legislation that meets international standards. Issues such as border control, incitement and the financing of terrorism remain pressing concerns. Like the illicit trade in arms, drugs and persons, terrorism and radicalization take place in areas where the rule of law is dormant. We must pay greater attention, at both the legislative and the law enforcement levels, to the increasing links between terrorist organizations, such as Hezbollah, and international criminal networks. Those dangers are tightly woven together and the criminal-terrorist fabric must be addressed as a whole. Technical assistance is another area where there are significant opportunities for improvement. I would like to reiterate my country’s call to conduct a new assessment of technical assistance for counter- terrorism. The need for such a study is clear. The international community needs to develop a knowledge base so that it can tailor technical assistance programmes more effectively, efficiently and constructively. We must understand the extent of participation in existing programmes and how they improve States’ long-term ability to fight terrorism. In cases where the benefits of technical assistance have not materialized, we should ask difficult questions. Successful models should be shared as best practices. Israel continues to share its unique expertise with others in that global fight. We are closely engaged in capacity-building initiatives with a number of States and regional organizations in Africa, South and Central America, East and Central Asia and other regions around the world. Such collaborative efforts span a range of issues from terrorist financing to aviation security and from money-laundering to border protection. The Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities has made several important changes in its procedures since the Council’s last briefing. In June, the Council empowered the Ombudsperson to offer recommendations for de-listing. That is an important step forward. Israel supports the ongoing efforts to increase fairness, transparency and due process in the Committee’s work. We must develop more effective international standards to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and dual-use items. The international community has a clear duty to do whatever it takes to keep the world’s most dangerous weapons out of the hands of its most dangerous terrorists and regimes. In that regard, I wish to reiterate Israel’s support for resolution 1540 (2004). We also cannot turn a blind eye to those States that continue to actively sponsor terrorism, such as Iran and Syria. Today, Iran serves as the world’s central banker, primary sponsor and chief trainer of terrorists. The flow of advanced weapons to terrorists in our region is growing in scope and scale. Those weapons contribute to instability and fuel violent attacks on civilians. As we sit here today, rockets fired by terrorists in the Gaza Strip continue to rain down on the people of southern Israel. Yet, the Security Council has not uttered a single word of condemnation against those continuous and brutal acts of terrorism. This silence speaks volumes. The victims of terror are part and parcel of any debate on counter-terrorism. Their voices must be heard. Elie Wiesel once wrote, “Even when faced with the murderous madness of criminals, and in the presence of the silent agony of their victims, it is incumbent upon us to choose between escape and solidarity, shame and honour.” There is no grey area. Turning a blind eye to terrorists is to choose terrorism. Promoting or overlooking incitement is to choose to educate the next generation of terrorists. No declarations or statements to the contrary can deny these simple truths. The time has come for all responsible members of the international community to speak the complete, unvarnished and sometimes difficult truths about those who support terrorism. It is time for all States to join together and take effective action. The challenges before us are clear. The opportunities to work together are apparent. We urge all Member States to set aside their differences in this fight, to renounce short-term and short-sighted policies in favour of international cooperation, and to realize that complacency is not an option in this struggle. If we truly join forces, the international community can decisively stem the rising tide of terrorism and build a brighter future for our children.

I now give the floor to the representative of Cuba.

I thank the Chairs of the three Committees for the information provided. Our country, as all know, strictly fulfils the provisions of resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004), and will continue to do so. Cuba reiterates its firm commitment to fighting terrorism and its deepest rejection and condemnation of all terrorist acts, methods and practices in all their forms and manifestations by whomsoever committed against whomsoever, wherever they are committed, and whatever their motivations, including those acts committed by States that may be directly or indirectly involved. State terrorism is also one of the most abominable forms of terrorism. The measures to eliminate international terrorism must be based on strict respect for the Charter of the United Nations, the principles of international law and international humanitarian law. Cuba fully supports the position of the Non-Aligned Movement, opposing the unilateral formulation of lists that accuse States of supposed support for terrorism, since such lists are incompatible with international law and resolutions of the United Nations. Despite Cuba’s proven and transparent record in fighting terrorism, the Government of the United States persists in its arbitrary decision to include my country in a list of States that sponsor international terrorism in an ever more pathetic annual ritual, given that the impossibility, since these claims are false, to objectively substantiate the stigma that they attempt to impose on us. If it were not for the enormous cost of sanctions added to the blockade that this unfair designation imposes on the Cuban people and the dangers that this decision entails, it would simply be a mockery of the international community and nothing more than a typical effort to conceal the lack of seriousness and the political nature of all decisions taken by the United States in relation to Cuba. Cuba vigorously rejects the inclusion of our country on this unilateral and spurious list, which is politically motivated and corrupt in its conception, having been prepared by the United States Department of State. Like other lists drawn up without authority by an international organization, it is in complete violation of international law. The shameful inclusion of a State like Cuba, which fights terrorism, further discredits this unilateral mechanism and compromises the credibility of the United States in its fight against this scourge. Since resolution 1540 (2004) was adopted, Cuba itself has undertaken practical measures to guarantee its full application. Our country does not possess and has no intention of possessing weapons of mass destruction. The possession of such weapons will never be part of our national defence strategy and never has been. On the contrary, we support the urgent prohibition and total elimination of these weapons worldwide. Our national nuclear, chemical and biological programmes have always been for strictly peaceful means and have been used to the benefit of the well-being of the Cuban people. In fulfilment of the provisions of resolution 1267 (1999), the competent Cuban authorities are regularly informed of the updates to the consolidated list drawn up by the Committee established pursuant to the resolution. Cuba has maintained broad and sustained cooperation with the Counter-Terrorism Committee. We have given detailed and transparent reports on seven occasions of the measures adopted by our country to ensure the prevention of and the fight against terrorism, as stipulated in resolution 1373 (2001). For years now, our country has presented the Security Council with detailed information regarding terrorist actions against Cuba. Unfortunately, to date our denunciations have not received a concrete response. Terrorism against Cuba has taken the lives or seriously hurt thousands of our fellow countrymen and countrywomen. For six years now, Luis Posada Carriles, a self-confessed murderer, has enjoyed the official protection of the Government of the United States of America, and from North American territory announces future crimes with complete impunity. Nevertheless, for trying to prevent terrorist attacks and share information with the Government of the United States, five Cuban anti-terrorist compatriots were unjustly convicted and are serving cruel prison sentences in the United States; one of them is not allowed to return home, under the absurd excuse of a parole arrangement. It is high time that we end this two-faced morality and double standards in this important matter. Terrorism must be rejected under all circumstances. Closer cooperation among States is needed in order to fight against this scourge. Finally, we reiterate the firm, tireless readiness of the Government and the people of Cuba to cooperate in multilateral efforts to put an end to all terrorist acts, methods and practices in all their forms and manifestations.

I now give the floor to the representative of Switzerland.

I have the honour of addressing the Security Council on behalf of the informal group of like-minded countries, which have taken a specific interest in strengthening fair and clear procedures for targeted sanctions and in making United Nations sanctions regimes more effective. This group is comprised of Austria, Belgium, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Switzerland. Let me join others in thanking the Chairs of the three Committees for their informative briefings. As the focus of our group lies in targeted sanctions and fair and clear procedures, my remarks will concentrate on the sanctions Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities. In this regard, I should underline that our group supports and fully recognizes that targeted sanctions are a useful and necessary tool for effectively combating international terrorism. Our position on the issue of sanctions reform is guided by the aim of strengthening the Al-Qaida sanctions regime. Let me begin by welcoming the adoption of resolution 1989 (2011) in June. The resolution enhances due process for listing and de-listing procedures alike. The like-minded group can only stress the significance of these latest reforms towards granting an independent and effective remedy to anyone who believes himself or herself to be wrongly labelled as being associated with Al-Qaida. Read against the background of past improvements to the 1267 regime — notably the establishment of the focal point, the introduction of narrative summaries, the comprehensive review undertaken and, of course, the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsperson itself — the new amendments have contributed considerably to the overall fairness and effectiveness of the Al-Qaida sanctions system. Likewise, the like-minded group takes this opportunity to commend the Ombudsperson, Judge Kimberly Prost, for the excellent quality of her work since she took office in the summer of 2010. There is now a strong built-in presumption, which is widely shared, that the Ombudsperson’s presentations are based on in-depth analysis, well founded and well received by the Committee when deciding de-listing requests presented by her Office. The result is an Ombudsperson who is more likely to gain access to case-relevant information, and a designating State that is more likely to be able to implement what its own national or regional courts require it to do. Now that these reforms have been put into place, there is a strong need for all actors involved to cooperate and ensure that they deliver the envisaged results. The Ombudsperson cannot be successful without the support of Member States. Cooperation with the Office of the Ombudsperson, including the provision of confidential information in individual cases, will therefore be key. Legal and practical ways of allowing the Ombudsperson’s access to all relevant information regarding a particular listing should be actively explored, such as through the conclusion of confidentiality agreements or arrangements. Among the like-minded countries, Switzerland, Belgium and Costa Rica already have arrangements in place with the Office of the Ombudsperson. They stand ready to answer — on a bilateral basis — any question the wider membership might have in that respect. Of equal importance is the provision of adequate resources to the Ombudsperson. We therefore call upon all Member States to look favourably upon the budgetary requests of the Office of the Ombudsperson for additional staff and additional resources so as to enable her to continue to process the increasing number of petitions fully, effectively and in a timely manner. Adequate resources are essential if the Ombudsperson is to be able to fulfil her reinforced mandate in full accordance with fundamental requirements of the rule of law, such as the translation of relevant documents into a language familiar to the petitioner. Finally, we note that the effectiveness of the Al-Qaida sanctions regime will also be judged by the number of appeals to the Security Council. The Council retains the authority to oppose a de-listing recommendation under its ordinary decision-making rules. We appeal to the members of the Sanctions Committee that such appeals, if any, will not be made unless there are exceptionally compelling and comprehensible reasons. The perception of fairer and clearer procedures, as obtained through resolution 1989 (2011), could be compromised if appeals were to become a common and successful routine. Despite all of the improvements, the 1267 sanctions regime continues to be perceived as failing to conform to due process standards. National parliaments, as well as national and regional courts, tend to scrutinize the regime critically. Examples of recent challenges to the implementation of United Nations sanctions decisions in Europe include the Kadi decision of the General Court of the European Union of September 2010, which is still under appeal, and the case of Nada v. Switzerland, which is pending before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. On the basis of the aforementioned, the group of like-minded States encourages the Security Council to proactively continue its efforts to improve fair and clear procedures. We recall our recommendations in our letter of April this year, including the idea of introducing a sunset clause for all listings. In that context, the group takes note of the decision of the Security Council to establish a separate, country-specific sanctions regime for those constituting a threat to peace, security and stability in Afghanistan, in particular the Taliban and associates. We note further that some of the institutional features designed to increase the fairness of procedures in the Al-Qaida sanctions regime, including the authority of the Ombudsperson, do not apply to the new regime pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011). We take note of the different procedures in different sanction regimes. The like-minded countries reaffirm their strong view that the question of fair and clear procedures is relevant to all Sanctions Committees, and that any improvement in the fairness of procedures will contribute not only to the observance of human rights but also to the legitimacy and effectiveness of the Security Council’s action.

I now give the floor to the representative of New Zealand.

Events this year have focused attention on our collective progress over the past decade in combating international terrorism and stimulated frank assessments of the challenges still to be faced. Since 2001, we have had success in disrupting and dismantling international terrorist networks, and in establishing robust legal, normative and institutional frameworks at the national and global levels. But the recent attack on United Nations facilities in Abuja, Nigeria, showed the threat terrorism still poses to the values of this Organization and to the interests of all Member States. Al-Qaida has been weakened globally, but its affiliates still pose significant threats in several regions. Moreover, terrorist networks have proved adaptable and resilient, shifting tactics, adopting new technologies and identifying new resources and methods of financing to maintain their operations. All of this makes effective international cooperation to counter-terrorism as important now as ever. The Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004) and their associated work programmes play vital roles in combating international terrorism. The past year has seen significant developments in the work of all three Committees. New Zealand hopes that the decision in June to separate the 1267 Committee’s consolidated list into separate designations for the Taliban and Al-Qaida will provide the new Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) with flexibility to ensure that de-listing decisions are consistent with realities on the ground and can complement Afghanistan’s national reconciliation efforts. Also important were changes to the de-listing procedures of the 1267 and 1989 Committees, including a significant strengthening of the Ombudsperson’s role. They make it all the more important for the Ombudsperson to be sufficiently resourced to carry out this enhanced role and for Member States provide her their full support, including through the provision of relevant information. New Zealand hopes that the 10-year extension in April of the 1540 Committee’s mandate will facilitate a longer-term approach to supporting national implementation. We welcome the Committee’s increased emphasis on targeted technical assistance and its efforts to coordinate this with assistance for other relevant national capacity-building priorities. That approach is particularly important for small States with limited institutional capacities. Capacity-building is integral to the partnership underpinning international counter-terrorism cooperation. New Zealand participates in a wide-ranging programme of capacity-building focused on supporting partners in the Pacific and South and South-East Asia. The targeted approach taken by the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) in providing technical assistance has helped many States to strengthen their counter-terrorism frameworks. New Zealand has partnered with CTED on several such initiatives, supporting workshops in the Pacific and South-East Asia — including one held in Auckland earlier this month — on cash couriers and preventing terrorist abuse of the non-profit sector. We also helped fund the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Terrorism Prevention Branch workshops on law enforcement cooperation. We also support the Counter-Terrorism Committee’s emphasis on the role of regional cooperation. A recent table-top exercise for South-East Asian practitioners to support implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism was one of a number of practically-focused initiatives with regional partners that we have supported in the past few years. In May, we hosted the seventh annual meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum working group on counter- terrorism. As the only dedicated regional counter- terrorism forum, the working group provides important opportunities to coordinate activities and share best practice. This year, it was held back-to-back with the Pacific’s second regional counter-terrorism exercise, Ready Pasifika II. Two other recent developments have potential consequences for all three Committees. New Zealand welcomes Saudi Arabia’s generosity in funding a United Nations centre for counter-terrorism to support international counter-terrorism cooperation. Once established and fully integrated into the United Nations counter-terrorism architecture, it promises to further strengthen United Nations counter-terrorism capacities in key areas. New Zealand is also a founding member of the Global Counterterrorism Forum launched in September. The Forum should further boost international counter-terrorism capacity-building efforts, complementing work under way within United Nations frameworks, particularly CTED. We are pleased that Indonesia and Australia will chair a Global Counterterrorism Forum South-East Asia working group, ensuring that the Forum has a truly global focus. We can look back over the past decade with a degree of satisfaction at what has been achieved and, more importantly, what has been prevented. But our work is far from complete, and with considerable challenges ahead, New Zealand is committed to working with the Council, its Committees and all Member States to strengthen our collective resilience and to build the capacities of all States to prevent, disrupt and bring to justice perpetrators of terrorist acts.

I now give the floor to Mr. Ioannis Vrailas, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations. Mr. Vrailas: The candidate countries Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro; the countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia; as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this statement. I would like to thank you, Sir, for the opportunity to be present here today at this timely and important briefing on issues of crucial significance to the European Union (EU) and its member States. I also thank the Chairs of the Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004) for their comprehensive and informative briefings. Terrorism remains a serious threat to the international community. The attack on the United Nations Office in Abuja in August took the lives of some of our United Nations colleagues who — as the Secretary-General rightly pointed out in his reaction — were those who devote their lives to helping others. The EU has a long-standing record of support for a wide range of counter-terrorism undertakings and will continue to uphold that record. Last week, Ms. Mara Marinaki, Managing Director for Global and Multilateral Issues in the European External Action Service, took part in a number of meetings in New York with relevant United Nations entities in order to foster our cooperation and set up the way ahead for joint EU-United Nations efforts to better tackle the challenge of terrorism. The EU stands firm on the position that the Al-Qaida sanctions regime continues to play an important role and is proving its effectiveness. We fully believe in the importance of an effective sanctions regime to disrupting the financial flows financing terrorist acts. We express our support for all improvements of the United Nations system aimed at reassuring that the procedures for designating individuals are fully compliant with fundamental rights. In order to improve transparency and visibility, narrative summaries of reasons for listing represent a particularly appropriate tool. We supported the Security Council’s decision of 17 June to create a new sanctions regime for Afghanistan, while maintaining and improving the existing 1267/1989 counter-terrorism regime focused on Al-Qaida. Therefore, we welcome the adoption of the resolution 1988 (2011) creating a new sanctions regime targeted at the Afghan insurgency, and of resolution 1989 (2011), adopted on 17 June, amending the existing 1267 sanctions regime to target individuals and entities associated with Al-Qaida alone. We especially commend the work of the Office of the Ombudsperson, which provides individuals, groups, undertakings and entities with an opportunity to have their listings reviewed in an independent and impartial manner. Regarding resolution 1989 (2011), we particularly welcome the fact that the Ombudsperson now has the possibility to present recommendations with a view to de-listing concerned individuals and entities to the Committee. We also welcome the new and improved form of interaction between the Ombudsperson and the Committee. This enhanced procedure will further improve the effectiveness of the Al-Qaida sanctions regime. Moreover, resolution 1989 (2011) will also provide greater transparency in the process being followed by the Committee, including the possibility of bringing a particular case to the attention of the Security Council upon request of any Committee member. In this regard, access to relevant information is key to the Ombudsperson’s ability to carry out her mandate. In particular, we note with satisfaction the first arrangements between the Office of the Ombudsperson and member States for access to confidential and classified information, which is often an indispensable precondition for a comprehensive analysis of the case. The way the Ombudsman Office performs its duties will be meaningful from the due process perspective regarding the implementation of resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) in international, regional and national Courts. Regarding resolution 1373 (2001), we congratulate the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) on the successful special event commemorating the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the resolution, and we note with interest the establishment of the United Nations Centre for Counter-Terrorism. Moreover, the EU fully supports the focus on deliverance of counter- terrorism capacity-building to the counter-terrorism efforts of countries. The EU looks forward to receiving the final report of this meeting. The European Union has developed specific instruments to support countries in their counter-terrorism efforts, and cooperates closely with the United Nations on this work. The EU fully appreciates the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and its Executive Director, Mike Smith. The EU has long-standing, excellent cooperation with CTED. The EU welcomes the updated global survey of the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001). The European Union and its member States implement the various provisions of resolution 1373 (2001), in particular in the EU legal framework concerning border control, migration, asylum, police and judicial cooperation. The EU counter-terrorism strategy of 2005 provides the overall approach regarding the prevention of and fight against terrorism. In terms of thematic priorities, the EU supports the implementation of the specific recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force on terrorist financing. In terms of geographical focus, the EU strategy for the Sahel, which combines security and development actions, fosters a global approach to countering terrorism. The EU is a key provider of counter-terrorism capacity-building to many countries, especially in the areas of the rule of law, criminal justice, law enforcement, countering violent extremism and terrorist financing. The EU fully supports the United Nations and its Member States in their efforts to implement the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, and the risk that non-State actors, in particular terrorists, could gain access to such weapons continue to be a major threat to international peace and security that calls for a global approach, in addition to actions at the national and regional levels. We therefore commend the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). We also welcome the adoption of resolution 1977 (2011). Only last month, we signed a joint EU-United States declaration aimed at further supporting the implementation of resolutions 1540 (2004) and 1977 (2011). The declaration confirms our focus on supporting countries in developing legislation related to weapons of mass destruction materials control, and developing relevant training programmes. The declaration also highlights the need for reinforcement measures for domestic visits to States by the 1540 Committee’s Group of Experts in order to gather and exchange information on best practices and lessons learned for implementing the resolution. The EU is also working on initiatives in support of resolutions 1540 and 1977 (2011), with special focus on country visits and providing long-term solutions to challenges on the ground. These initiatives, together with the EU’s capacity-building — especially concerning the establishment of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear centres of excellence throughout the world, including the Maghreb, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and soon in Central Asia and South-East Asia — are mutually reinforcing measures that provide a tangible contribution to the field of counter-terrorism. Let me take this opportunity to once again express our gratitude for the whole spectrum of vitally important tasks undertaken by the Security Council committees, aimed at tackling the threat of terrorism. The European Union and its member States stand firm in their support for all of these actions, and remain committed to enhancing cooperation with the United Nations in this regard.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The representative of Israel has asked to make a further statement. I invite her to take a seat at the Council table and I now give her the floor.

The previous speaker is deaf to the cries of freedom that continue to come from the Syrian people in the streets, in broad daylight and even as we speak. Listening to him just now brings to mind George Orwell’s 1984, where war is peace, freedom is slavery, and ignorance is strength. That Syria continues to gun down and terrorize its own people is well known and well documented. That Syria is one of the world’s primary sanctuaries for terrorist organizations is no secret either. It is common knowledge that it continues to support, finance and provide safe haven for terrorist organizations, and that Damascus is the global headquarters of numerous terrorist organizations. While in Israel there is an open and vibrant press, freedom of speech and a pluralist democratic society, the Syrian people continue to be oppressed, only dreaming of living in a democracy. Indeed, whenever a Syrian representative speaks about terrorism, we should all appreciate the unique opportunity to gain some insight into the mind of a State sponsor of terrorism.

The representative of the Syrian Arab Republic has asked to make a further statement. I invite him to take a seat at the Council table and I now give him the floor.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.