S/PV.7936 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Ambassador Abdellatif Aboulatta of Egypt will first make a joint statement on behalf of the Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004). Following that, the Council will hear briefings by the Chairs of those three Committees. I now give the floor to Ambassador Aboulatta.

On behalf of the Chairs of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism; the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities; and the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), I have the honour to brief the Council on cooperation among the three Committees and their respective groups of experts. The Committees have recognized the grave threats posed by terrorism and the challenges presented by terrorists and their organizations in resorting to new means to finance, plan, prepare, facilitate, recruit and commission terrorist acts, possibly involving the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). They have also stressed the importance of raising awareness among Member States of their obligations with regard to effectively implementing the relevant Security Council resolutions. They also believe that building Member States’ capacity to meet those challenges is particularly important. Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and the risk of the proliferation of WMDs to non-State actors, continues to pose a serious threat to international peace and security. The Security Council, in dealing with these grave threats, emphasized the importance of cooperation and coordination between the three Committees and their respective expert groups. The three Committees continue to collaborate, and their three expert groups have continued the practice of synchronizing their efforts, where appropriate and feasible, in conducting country visits. Over the past year, experts from the 1267 and 1540 Committees have joined the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) on two such visits — in May 2016 on the visit to Kazakhstan, and in February 2017, on the visit to Tajikistan. Exchange of information between the three Committees continues through their respective expert groups,sz especially with regard to visits, technical assistance needs, and in reaching out to international and regional organizations of common interest. As part of their support to the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), the three Committees have maintained close cooperation within the framework of a number of CTITF working groups. In particular, the three groups worked with the CTITF Foreign Terrorist Fighter Working Group to develop a capacity-building implementation plan to assist Member States to comply with resolution 2178 (2014), on curbing the flow of foreign terrorist fighters. Their collaborative efforts also continue through their participation in, inter alia, the CTITF Working Groups on the Protection of Critical Infrastructure, Including Internet, Vulnerable Targets and Tourism Security; Preventing and Responding to Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Terrorist Attacks; Countering the Financing of Terrorism; and Border Management and Law Enforcement Relating to Counter-Terrorism. The 1540 Group of Experts, in its role as a CTITF collaborating entity, encourages the CTITF WMD Working Group to focus on the prevention of the proliferation of WMDs to non-State actors, now that the Group’s work on responses to WMD attacks is complete. Pursuant to resolution 2253 (2015), the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and the 1267 Committee Monitoring Team continue to work closely in drafting the Secretary-General’s reports on the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)/Da’esh. Four reports have been submitted, and drafting of the fifth and final report is under way. CTED and the 1267 Monitoring Team have also been collaborating closely on the use of the Internet and telecommunications technologies for terrorist purposes. The Monitoring Team participated in the consultations of CTED and the ICT4Peace Foundation with the private sector in Zurich, Silicon Valley and Kuala Lumpur in late 2016, and in drafting a report. As a result, Microsoft has updated its terms of use and is now using the 1267 sanctions list as a reference to determine terrorism-related content. The three Committees have also actively shared information on terrorism financing and proliferation financing. CTED and the 1540 Group of Experts recently met to discuss the risk of illicit trafficking through online public trading platforms, such as eBay and Ali Baba. The three expert groups also coordinate in the context of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). In December 2016, they met with the FATF secretariat to discuss ongoing issues, developments and challenges. In April 2016, CTC, the 1267 Committee, Member States, FATF and other organizations held an open briefing on depriving terrorist groups of funding, particularly Al-Qaida, ISIL and their affiliates. In December 2016, they held a joint special meeting on practices and lessons learned in preventing terrorist groups from accessing, raising and moving funds. CTC continues to invite the other two expert groups to attend regional and thematic briefings by CTED staff, various experts, and visiting officials from international and regional organizations. The three Committees also recognize the need to further enhance and strengthen their coordination and cooperation, where relevant and possible. They will therefore work to identify further synergies, including by identifying thematic areas in which joint interaction may be beneficial within the framework of their respective mandates. While efforts are considered and undertaken in the United Nations system on enhancing the United Nations capacity to meet the challenges of global terrorism, the three Committees will continue to implement the tasks and mandates of the Security Council’s resolutions, with the full support of CTED, the Monitoring Team and the 1540 Group of Experts.

I thank Ambassador Aboulatta for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ambassador Kairat Umarov, Chair of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities.

In today’s briefing, I would like to focus my remarks on the principal areas of work of the Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities since the joint Council briefing in May 2016 (see S/PV.7686). I shall focus mainly on the following three elements: the evolving threat to international peace and security posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)/Da’esh, Al-Qaida and affiliates; the response from the Committee; and the Committee’s engagement with Member States. My statement today will be made available on the Committee’s website. Since the joint Council briefing in May 2016, the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and affiliates has further evolved. In its latest report, the Monitoring Team finds that ISIL and Al-Qaida affiliates continue to present a complex and diverse challenge to international security. ISIL remains under sustained military pressure, and in response it has conducted a range of attacks outside conflict areas. Many of the ISIL-inspired attacks were initially reported as lone-actor attacks, but subsequent investigations revealed that in most cases, individuals received support from other extremists and criminal groups. ISIL’s finances have declined, and it now operates on a crisis budget. Al-Qaida affiliates also maintain a significant level of terrorist operations in their respective regions. In some regions, Al-Qaida affiliates remain stronger than the respective ISIL cells and groups. Therefore, the emergence of ISIL has not strategically weakened Al-Qaida. The Monitoring Team further reported that the overall flow of foreign terrorist fighters to Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic appeared to have slowed as a result of increased control measures put in place by Member States and military pressure. A growing challenge involves returnees and relocating fighters. The travel of these persons entails the risk of concentrating individuals who potentially pose a considerable threat in particular regions. South-East Asia and West and East Africa are experiencing a rising level of risk emanating from ISIL or Al-Qaida affiliates. A growing challenge involves returnees and fighters whose travel to conflict zones has been frustrated by the efforts of national authorities. These two groups represent a growing security risk. Of particular concern, too, are returnees and relocators who hold multiple nationalities. Therefore, the Monitoring Team highlighted the continued need for enhanced information-sharing among Member States in this regard. In addition to the reduced flow of foreign terrorist fighters, sanctions measures levied against asset streams of ISIL have begun to take effect. This relates in particular to the trade in antiquities illegally removed from Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic. Member States have begun to report seizures of such items on their territories.
Concerning Afghanistan, the Monitoring Team notes that ISIL has lost significant amounts of territory in Nangarhar province. Even though there have been military successes against ISIL in Nangarhar province, which have degraded their numbers and fighting ability, the group has been able to regenerate battlefield losses and launch at least one high-profile attack in July 2016, causing large loss of life against an ethnic Hazara demonstration in Kabul. The Al-Qaida core, as well as Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent, continue to act as advisers and trainers for the Taliban. A significant number of fighters related to other Al-Qaida affiliated groups that previously operated in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region have joined the Taliban and led to an increase in Taliban fighting capabilities. The evolving threat is also reflected in the adoption of a number of new resolutions by the Council that have expanded the work of the Committee and the Monitoring Team. In December 2016, the Council adopted resolution 2331 (2016) to curb the financing of terrorists from acts of sexual and gender-based violence, and trafficking in persons. The resolution noted that that those acts were part of the strategic objectives and ideology of certain terrorist groups, such as ISIL and Al-Qaida, and were used as a tactic of terrorism and as an instrument to increase their finances and power through recruitment and the destruction of communities. In the context of the resolution, in December 2016, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict sent a report to the Committee on ISIL’s use of sexual violence as a tactic of terrorism. In addition, the resolution tasks the Monitoring Team with collaborating with Member States to see whether further information could be obtained. Resolution 2347 (2017), concerning the protection of cultural heritage in armed conflicts, not only builds on the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida regime, but also mandates a range of concrete measures. Those measures are based on the recommendations made by the Monitoring Team in various reports throughout 2016 and to which the Committee had agreed. Resolution 2347 (2017) also asked the Monitoring Team to cooperate with the Secretary-General, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and UNESCO on a report concerning the implementation the resolution, to be delivered at the end of 2017. For both resolutions, it is crucial that Member States engage with, and provide updated information to, the Committee and the Monitoring Team on the evolving nature of the threat, listed individuals and entities and the status of the implementation of then sanctions measures. To enhance the full and effective implementation of the sanctions, the Committee also undertakes visits to selected countries. In that context, the 1267 Committee Chair visited Afghanistan from 11 to 13 November 2016. The Chair was accompanied by a representative of Kazakhstan in our capacity as incoming Chair of both Committees, delegates from the Committee and representatives of the Monitoring Team. The visit was facilitated by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, with the objective of obtaining first- hand accounts regarding the implementation and effectiveness of sanctions measures and to promote enhanced dialogue and engagement of Afghan interlocutors with the Committees. I look forward to conducting more of such visits as Chair. As part of the Committee’s engagement on the latest developments in Afghanistan, on 3 February, the Committee decided to remove Gulbuddin Hekmatyar from its sanctions list, with a view to facilitating ongoing efforts in Kabul towards national reconciliation. Resolution 2344 (2017) expressed serious concern about the presence and potential growth of ISIL (Da’esh) affiliates in Afghanistan posing serious threats to the security of Afghanistan and the countries of the region, including in Central Asia. The Committee continuously strives to ensure that its list is as updated and accurate as possible in order to facilitate the implementation of the sanctions measures. Since the last joint briefing, seven individuals were listed. No entities were listed. Twelve individuals were delisted. No entities were delisted. The Committee approved amendments to the existing entries of 24 individuals and two entities on its sanctions list. As of today, there are 254 individuals and 75 entities on the Committee’s sanctions list. Since the last joint briefing to the Security Council, the Committee decided to delist six individuals and retain two individuals, on the basis of reports submitted by the Ombudsperson. In addition, one comprehensive report of the Ombudsperson is under consideration by the Committee, and the Ombudsperson has four cases in the dialogue phase and two cases in the information-gathering phase. On 8 May, the Chair held an open briefing on the work of the Committee for interested Member States. I plan to continue to hold such open briefings regularly. I encourage Member States to share any queries and concerns with the Committee and its Monitoring Team. I would like to take this opportunity to call upon Member States to continue their engagement with the work of the Committee and the Monitoring Team, as that is essential for maintaining an up-to-date and dynamic sanctions list, and fundamental to the effective operation of the sanctions regime. In that regard, I would like to note that the Committee is in the process of concluding its current annual review, which considers if names on the list, especially those not reviewed for three years, remain pertinent, and to address cases where sufficient identifiers do not exist, individuals are deceased or entities are defunct. I thank the Member States that provided information, as it has provend challenging to obtain responses from all relevant Member States. We urge all Member States to engage with the Committee in a timely manner on the next annual review to support this key due-process function. In addition to the regular reviews, the Monitoring Team updates list entries based on information provided by Member States. We encourage Member States to keep the Team informed. I also urge those Member States that have not done so to submit their implementation reports mandated under the relevant resolutions. As Chair, I would like to thank all Member States for their cooperation with the Committee, its Monitoring Team and the Office of the Ombudsperson.

I thank Ambassador Umarov for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ambassador Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta, Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001), concerning counter-terorism.

I thank members for this opportunity to brief the Security Council on the ongoing work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and its Executive Directorate (CTED). CTED is mandated until 31 December 2017 to assist Member States, on behalf of the CTC, to achieve the full implementation of Security Council resolutions on terrorism. Since the Committee’s previous briefing to the Council (see S/PV.7686), the CTC and CTED have continued to engage in a wide range of activities within the framework of those resolutions, specifically, to increase the number and pace of assessments and to follow up promptly on facilitation of technical assistance; to identify important issues, trends, developments; and to work with partners on innovative responses. Assessment visits to Member States and follow-up on the facilitation of technical assistance are at the heart of CTED’s work on behalf of the Committee and the Council and remain a critical part of the Committee’s dialogue with Member States. Since March 2016, the Committee has conducted 17 visits to Member States — more than in any other equivalent period since its establishment, in 2001. The visited States included Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, the Lake Chad basin States, Paraguay, Senegal, Sri Lanka and Tajikistan. In post-visit follow-up, CTED has worked intensively with Member States and implementing agencies to facilitate technical assistance based on the Committee’s recommendations. Engagement with Iraq, including further follow-up in Baghdad, is a good example in that regard. Facilitation work sped up markedly in the past 12 months. Argentina and Sri Lanka agreed on commitments with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on technical assistance pursuant to the visits’ recommendations while the visits were still ongoing. Terrorism continues to pose a serious global security threat, and the CTC and CTED have been working to identify threats, emerging trends and potential responses. Counter-terrorism financing was a priority in the Committee’s work in the past year. CTED has noted that terrorists continue to devise new fundraising methods, and there is increasing concern about the transnational organized crimes that fund terrorism. CTED is working with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and similar regional bodies. CTED helped finalize revisions of the international standards and provided inputs for a typology report on terrorist financing in West and Central Africa, adopted in October 2016. In the framework of the FATF, CTED initiated specific work on the misuse of social media for terrorism-financing purposes, having organized a side event on the topic in December. An awareness of the increased use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) in terrorism led the CTC to organize a special meeting in December 2016 on terrorists’ use of ICT. ICT industry leaders also briefed the CTC in February about the joint CTED/ICT4 initiative — Tech Against Terrorism — which promotes self-regulation of the industry globally. Concern about the role of women in terrorism, and in line with resolution 2242 (2017), led CTED to incorporate a gender dimension in its work, where relevant, including assessment visits, threat and trend analysis and technical assistance. With respect to the presidential statement (S/PRST/2016/) of the Council on 11 May 2016 on the challenges of countering terrorism narratives, the CTC, in consultation with CTED, the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), other United Nations bodies and interested Member States, prepared a proposal for a comprehensive international framework to address this threat. The proposal was submitted to the Council last month for its consideration. CTED continues to take advice from practitioners with real-world experience of the challenges of tackling terrorism. South Asian judges, prosecutors and police officers convened regularly by CTED since 2009 to promote regional cooperation, to provide advice and guidance on trends and developments and to inform the Committee’s formulation of strategic regional and thematic approaches, most recently in Sri Lanka in October. The Committee and CTED have held formal and informal briefings to keep Member States and other partners aware of emerging threats and responses. Most recently, on 5 April, the Committee held an open briefing, on denying safe haven to terrorists, at which the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and INTERPOL encouraged States to strengthen their cooperation, including by adopting legislation and sharing information through INTERPOL tools and databases. CTED, INTERPOL and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees agreed to continue to assist States to ensure more systematic screening of asylum seekers. This information will inform CTED’s preparation, pursuant resolution 2322 (2016), of a report on international judicial and law enforcement cooperation. CTED also advised Member States on the need to develop comprehensive and integrated counter- terrorism strategies that engage multiple stakeholders in Iraq, Mali and Tunisia. The CTC and CTED continued to pay close attention to relevant human rights and rule-of-law issues, in accordance with the Committee’s policy guidance. They take account of relevant human rights concerns in their dialogue with States, in special meetings and open briefings, in the context of country visits and in the facilitation of technical assistance. CTED is actively engaged with CTITF and its working groups, being a member of eight of the groups, five of which it chairs. CTED has worked closely with CTITF on issues including the coordination of efforts, pursuant to resolutions 2199 (2015) and 2253 (2015), to prevent the looting of antiquities in the territory controlled by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. Mindful of the ongoing gravity of the global terrorist threat and its evolving trends and challenges, the Council has stressed and continues to stress, the need to ensure that counter-terrorism remains a priority on the international agenda and has underlined the critical role of CTED in supporting the Committee in its work. It is expected that the forthcoming review of CTED’s mandate will provide an opportunity to further enhance the impact of CTED’s efforts, together with its partners, to fulfil the tasks conferred by the relevant Council resolutions and decisions.

I thank Ambassador Aboulatta for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ambassador Llorentty Solíz, Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004).

At the outset, I would like to thank Ambassador Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta, in his capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001), for leading the preparation and delivery of our joint statement. On behalf of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), I would like to say that we fully endorse the views expressed in the joint statement. From my Committee’s perspective, our concern is with preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery means and related materials to non-State actors, including terrorists. While the mandates of the three Committees differ, there are important areas of complementarity. Cooperation between the three Committees and their supporting experts is important to promoting the effective implementation by States of their obligations under our respective Security Council resolutions. As far as the 1540 Committee is concerned, that is recognized in our five-year comprehensive review of the implementation of the resolution and in the subsequent resolution 2325 (2016), of 15 December 2016. In that resolution, the Council reiterated the need to enhance cooperation among the three Committees, among other means, while enhancing the sharing of information and the coordination of visits to States and technical assistance. We should continuously seek ways, as appropriate to our respective mandates, to improve the cooperation between the three Committees. From the 1540 Committee’s perspective, we value the joint visits to States with the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED), as referred to in the joint statement. We hope that, within the limits of the available resources, such visits will continue. In many States an important number of stakeholders responsible for national implementation of the resolutions concerned are the same officials. Where appropriate, engaging in visits collaboratively is very much in the interests of both the Committees, and in particular of the States concerned. In resolution 2325 (2016) the Council decided that the Committee should continue to intensify its efforts to promote the full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). Furthermore, it noted in particular the need to pay more attention, inter alia, to enforcement measures relating to nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and the proliferation of financing measures, as well as to accountability for, and the ensuring, related materials; as well as national export and transhipment controls. We welcome the kind of cooperation between our experts referred to in the joint statement on the risks of illicit trafficking and terrorism through the use of online public trading platforms. This certainly helps the 1540 Committee to respond to the Council’s request for us to take note in its work, where it is relevant, of the continually evolving nature of the risks of proliferation, including the use by non-State actors of rapid advances in science, technology and international commerce for proliferation purposes. This kind of exchange puts the Committee and its experts in a good position to support States, as appropriate, in their efforts to take account of such developments in discharging their responsibilities for implementation under the resolutions concerned. The requirements of resolution 2325 (2016) and the 2017 programme of work of the 1540 Committee place demands on our limited human and financial resources and make it even more important to exploit opportunities for collaboration while taking account the respective mandates of the Committees. As we continue with our outreach activities to help those States that need it to implement their obligations, I am glad to take this opportunity to thank those States that have contributed to the Trust Fund for Global and Regional Disarmament Activities, some of which are represented at this table, with assistance specifically in support of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). The Committee could not fulfil its programme of work successfully without such support. The Committee also welcomes the support of those States that make contributions in kind — for example, by hosting resolution 1540 (2004) events. An example is the regional seminar on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) hosted by Pakistan in April this year. The Committee looks forward to the hosting by other Member States of other events scheduled for later this year. These are important contributions to promoting the effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). The leading edge of the cooperation between the three Committees should be our respective experts. We encourage them to continue with their interactions in the common areas of interest within their respective areas of responsibility. From the perspective of resolution 1540 (2004), since we are in the business of preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-State actors, it is important to have a good connection at the expert level between us and the counter-terrorism community. At the same time, we should take into account the differences in the various Committees’ goals, as well as their means of implementation.

I thank Mr. Llorentty Solíz for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements.

The international community has made notable progress in degrading terrorist groups worldwide, with recent significant gains in Syria and Iraq against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS). But the Security Council must stay vigilant to counter the dynamic threat that ISIS and other terrorist groups, including Al-Qaida, Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab and others, pose around the globe. As ISIS loses territory and funding, thousands of foreign terrorist fighters are returning from the conflict zone. We also see ISIS and Al-Qaida affiliates radicalizing and recruiting others, with ISIS continuing to establish and support its affiliates around the world. That demonstrates that terrorist groups and their extensive networks are still very capable of expanding their areas of attack and convincing others to carry out their heinous mission. No country is immune from the threat. That is why the United Nations has an ever- important role to play in supporting the fight against terrorism in all of its forms. Moreover, it is critical that the three Committees that briefed us today, and indeed all parts of the United Nations system, coordinate their efforts closely and take a whole-of-United Nations approach to support efforts to defeat terrorism wherever it exists. One way that the Security Council can support such an approach is by working closely with the new United Nations counter-terrorism office, which, when established, will coordinate counter- terrorism efforts across 38 United Nations offices. The office’s close engagement with the three Counter- Terrorism Committees will help eliminate duplication across the United Nations system and contribute to the balanced implementation of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Strategy across all four of its pillars. Over the past year, the Counter-Terrorism Committee, with the help of the Committee’s experts in the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorat, examined issues that we consider critical. They include identifying good practices on countering terrorist narratives, leveraging real world experience from judges, prosecutors and police officers on prosecuting terrorists, and promoting respect for human rights and rule-of-law issues when countering terrorism. We encourage the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate to work with other parts of the United Nations system, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, INTERPOL and other actors, to encourage States to cooperate better, adopt new needed counter-terrorism legislation, share best practices and build the vital capacity necessary to thwart terrorists’ ability to carry out attacks. The upcoming review of the mandate of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate offers an opportunity to further enhance the Directorate’s mission to assess States’ implementation of existing United Nations counter-terrorism obligations and identify opportunities to strengthen capacity. We hope that the new United Nations counter-terrorism office can take advantage of the Directorate’s country assessments to enhance the strategic planning of Member States’ capacity-building. We continue to see the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities as vital to countering the threats posed by such groups. We appreciate Ambassador Umarov’s active stewardship of that Committee and thank the Monitoring Group for its great work in reporting on the changing terrorist threat picture challenges to implementing resolution 2253 (2015) and on the new areas on which the Committee and the Council should focus to better counter- terrorism financing. Although much focus has been on ISIS, we should also remember that Al-Qaida remains a potent threat, blending in with local populations and assuming the guise of a more “moderate” organization. We hope that the Committee and its Monitoring Team will focus on financing and recruitment activities, including the challenges posed when foreign terrorist fighters return home or relocate from Iraq and Syria. We must keep in mind that, for many States Members of the United Nations, the 1267 sanctions list is the only guide used at border posts and at seaports and airports to screen against terrorists. It is therefore crucial that all Member States help update that list so that it accurately reflects current threats. We must also work together and with the United Nations to build State capacity to implement the sanctions. We hope to use the Council’s regular review of the ISIS and Al-Qaida sanctions next month to make sure that sanctions are best adapted to the evolving terrorist threat. Turning to the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), I would like to thank Ambassador Llorentty Solíz for Bolivia’s leadership of the 1540 Committee. The United States considers resolution 1540 (2004) to be the cornerstone of international efforts to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Today’s briefing is timely because the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the risk if they fall into the hands of terrorists is by no means a theoretical one. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continues to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. In Syria, we have seen the devastating consequences of confirmed chemical weapons use by both State and non-State actors. Yet, despite such challenges, the obligations in resolution 1540 (2004) are still not fully met. Last year, in a comprehensive review, the 1540 Committee found that notable implementation gaps remained, particularly in the areas of chemical and biological security, countering proliferation financing and controlling means of delivery. But we think that, together, we can improve that trend, using the many tools at the 1540 Committee’s disposal. While today’s briefing is important, it should by no means be the only time the Committees interact. There needs to be regular, continued engagement on the intentions and capabilities of terrorists. The Committees should also be sharing notes on how the United Nations can help to build State capacity to counter such threats. We look forward to working with other countries to bolster those efforts and advance our common security.

We are grateful to the Chairs of the Security Council Committees for their detailed briefings on counter-terrorism activities. To a great extent, the performance of Security Council subsidiary bodies determine the credibility and effectiveness of the Security Council as the key coordinating platform in international counter-terrorism cooperation. In recent years, the terrorist threat has indeed become global. The swell in the radicalization of public opinion, and in spite of the efforts of the international community, has not yet been curbed. The envoys of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, Al-Qaida, Al-Nusra and other terrorist organizations continue to recruit fighters in many regions of the world, flooding the Internet and other channels of mass communication with their propaganda. Youth and socially bereft groups of society are in the line of fire. Exactly one year ago, on 11 May 2016, the Council, under the presidency of Egypt, held an important debate (see S/PV.7690) on the matter of countering terrorist propaganda. Building on the outcomes of that meeting, and in accordance with a chairman’s statement adopted by the Counter-Terrorism Committee a few days ago, a comprehensive international framework has been developed on the matter. We believe that it is a promising basis for the further activity of the Committee and its Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate. We hope that the document will be adopted swiftly as a Security Council resolution, a draft of which was proposed by the delegation of Egypt. However, in the current context, we are convinced that it is high time to strengthen the legal and sanctions toolkit in combating the narrative of terrorism. We advocate the same approach with respect to countering financing for terrorism. The results of the December special meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee on the matter demonstrated that resolutions 2199 (2015) and 2253 (2015) are not being implemented fully or by all States. That type of situation must be addressed immediately. The current regime of the Council, in particular in combating the financing and material support for terrorists, requires rigorous compliance and strengthening. We are grateful to the Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, Mr. Aboulatta, for his able steering of the Committee. Over the past month, as before, the Counter-Terrorism Committee has been drawing on expert support and on the work of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate, which continues to play an important role in addressing the multidimensional tasks of countering terrorism facing the Committee and Security Council as a whole. We fully share the view that the main thrust of the Committee’s activities and its Executive Directorate should be assessing States’ implementation of resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005) and 2178 (2014). In this regard, we have seen significant progress, particularly in the growing number of monitoring visits. However, there is a need for clear delineation of priorities, focusing on States that are at highest risk for terrorism in line with Committee-approved classifications. We note the usefulness of trips to Afghanistan in that regard. Visits to Central Asian States are currently the last stage of the cycle. Underestimating the threat hanging over the region could lead to the most dangerous consequences. We think that in the work in Central Asian countries there should be integration of the broad experience and ideas of such regional organizations as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and the Eurasian Group on Combating Money-Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism. The Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) on sanctions against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Al-Qaida is the Security Council’s most important counter-terrorism mechanism. We pay due tribute to Ambassador Kairat Umarov’s able leadership of the Committee. We think the sanctions list should appropriately reflect the highly active and ever- evolving terrorist threat. In this context, we support the proposal for Member States to list new individuals and entities. The Committee should consider the relevant requests swiftly and, most importantly, without politicization. Also important is increasing the effectiveness of sanctions mechanisms, which hinges on States’ compliance with their international obligations in this field. Unfortunately, today problems remain on this score. The powers of the Ombudsman of the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) have been set forth in resolution 2253 (2015). We think them most appropriate. However, unfortunately, the practical activities of this institution do not always address mandated tasks and are subject to increasing criticism. Often, we see excessively focused and short-sighted approaches, ignoring the views of interested States. We support the work of the Monitoring Team, whose reports are a major linchpin of the work of the Committee. We call upon Member States to closely cooperate with experts of the Team. Yet we do trust that its reports will be as objective as possible and rely solely on trusted sources of information. With regard to the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), we should first and foremost like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Ambassador Sacha Sergio Llorentty Solíz for his deft steering of the Committee and for his contribution to its activities. We also thank the Committee’s group of experts for the advisory support provided with respect to components of weapons of mass destruction and expert control. We are essentially pleased with the work of the 1540 Committee, which is a solid buffer against components of weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands of non-State actors, including terrorists. The Committee continues its effective work in assisting countries in carrying out the provisions of the resolution. There are very few States left that have yet to present their national reports. We think it would be justified to hold official meetings of the Committee more regularly. This year, a far-reaching programme, stemming from the conclusions of the 2016 comprehensive review and the resulting resolution 2325 (2016), is planned. In the light of the unabated terrorist activity in Syria and Iraq from ISIL and other terrorist groups that have acquired technology for the production of chemical weapons and actively use them, resolution 1540 (2004) is more relevant than ever. Our idea is that the 1540 Committee should continue its cooperation with the other Security Council counter-terrorism committees on this matter in the framework of its mandate. Violations of resolution 1540 (2004) are inadmissible. Information on non-State actors gaining access to chemical weapons requires thorough investigation and response from the Security Council. There is such an urgent need to combat acts of terrorism that the toolkit offered by resolution 1540 (2004), while carrying out an important role, just like the toolkit offered by other targeted resolutions, is simply not enough. What we need today are global and comprehensive approaches. We are ready to make this happen. In conclusion, we would again like to underscore our interest in strengthening the weapons of mass destruction non-proliferation regime and our readiness to spare no effort here, drawing upon close cooperation with regional and international partners.

I would like to begin by thanking the Chairs of the three Committees — the Permanent Representatives of Egypt, Kazakhstan and Bolivia — for sharing the activities of their Committees with us, as well as for their excellent work as Chairs. Today we are facing terrorist attacks all over the world. Numerous foreign terrorist fighters in Iraq and Syria are returning to their countries of origin or relocating to other regions, including South-East Asia. Their tactics are evolving, including through the use of “broken travel” techniques with forged passports. As the Chairs have indicated, we have countered these developments by fully implementing all the recent counter-terrorism resolutions, including on aviation security, international judicial cooperation, and protection of critical infrastructure (resolution 2341 (2017)). The adoption of those resolutions is important, but their implementation is equally vital. I would like to note one concrete action item. Resolution 2178 (2014) and the subsequent presidential statement (S/PRST/2014/23) respectively encourage Member States to utilize advance passenger information (API) and Passenger Name Records (PNR) systems. API contains passport and flight information, while PNR contains passengers’ booking information, including itineraries, names of travelling companions and payment methods. This information helps the authorities analyse and detect possible foreign terrorist fighters before they arrive at airports. However, to my knowledge, only 56 out of 193 Member States have introduced the API system, and only 15 use the PNR system. I urge all Member States to implement these systems as soon as possible. The use of API and PNR is just one example of implementation measures made pursuant to resolution 2178 (2014). Many others are also required to stem the flow of foreign terrorist fighters with forged passports, such as using biometric tools and INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents Database. We must enhance our own capabilities and extend assistance to those in need in order to effectively implement the resolutions. With regard to resolution 2178 (2014), in March 2017, Japan provided $1.1 million to the Capacity- building Implementation Plan for Countering the Flow of Foreign Terrorist Fighters set up pursuant to the recommendation made in presidential statement S/PRST/2015/11. However, this plan has so far acquired only 23 per cent of the funding it needs. I encourage Member States to contribute to this comprehensive plan to stem the flow of foreign terrorist fighters, which would focus not only on countering such fighters and foreign terrorist fighter returnees but also on preventing violent extremism as well. Japan will continue to support and actively engage in the discussion on the United Nations counter-terrorism architecture to ensure that the new office of counter-terrorism can most effectively coordinate relevant bodies on counter- terrorism and on preventing violent extremism. I would like to return to the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). North Korea continues to conduct ballistic-missile launches and nuclear tests in blatant violation of Security Council resolutions. Chemical weapons have been used in Syria, including by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. These striking examples demonstrate that the threats posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction are very real. It is therefore the responsibility of every State to protect itself and its people by strengthening international and domestic non-proliferation measures. Proliferation activities must be prevented whenever and wherever they are undertaken or attempted. Implementing measures related to paragraph 3 of resolution 1540 (2004), including the development of national control lists, is increasingly important. The 1540 Committee and its Group of Experts can assist States wishing to strengthen their domestic measures. Japan therefore attaches high importance to direct interaction between Member States and the Committee. Joint visits to States by the Committee and the Counter- Terrorism Executive Directorate are particularly valuable in that regard. Japan disbursed $1 million to the Trust Fund this year to support the work of the 1540 Committee. A significant portion will be used to finance those types of direct interaction. Japan urges interested States to contact the Committee. As the coordinator of Working Group I for monitoring and national implementation, my delegation would also be happy to relay any message to the Committee.

I thank the Chairs of the Committees for their briefings this morning. As they have set out clearly today, the Committees perform a crucial role in our continuing fight against terrorism. That work is intricate and vital, and I thank them for their service to the Security Council. The threat is one that so many countries around this table know only too well. The United Kingdom witnessed it less than two months ago in the horrific attack in Westminster, which claimed the lives of five people and injured more than 50 more. It speaks volumes of the threat we now face that the senseless actions of one man on one day could affect the lives of innocent men and women from 12 countries, including the United States, France, China and Italy, as well as peoples from my own country. That is just one example of many. We share a common threat, one that demands a shared response and is continually evolving. Just as terrorists pursue every means possible to carry out their hateful acts, so too must we pursue every available avenue to stop them. The three Committees are an important part of that effort, so let me take up each, briefly, in turn. First, I welcome the work that the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate are doing to galvanize our efforts to tackle terrorists on every front — whether combating illicit trafficking, the financing of terrorism or the abuse of the Internet and other forms of communication. Secondly, thanks to the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, and its Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team pursuant to resolutions 1526 (2004) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities, we have a clear, up-to-date understanding of the evolving threat posed by Da’esh and Al-Qaida. I welcome the Committee’s work in keeping the sanctions list up to date, ensuring that individuals, groups and entities joining or affiliating with those groups are listed. Thirdly, thanks to the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), we are taking tangible steps to prevent weapons of mass destruction from falling in to the hands of terrorists and non-State actors. Sadly, as the Joint Implementation Mechanism has confirmed, this is no longer a hypothetical nightmare scenario. To adapt to this new reality, it is important that the Committee take account of new and emerging challenges from the terrorist threat, and advances in science and technology. And we must all do more, as others have said, to encourage Member States to submit their reports on the national implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). To defeat terrorism, we all need to play our part. The Committees cannot do it alone. That is why the United Kingdom has been such a champion, in the Council, for aviation security — including through resolution 2309 (2016). Protecting civil aviation should be high on everyone’s counter-terrorism agenda. We all need to follow the international standards and recommended practices for aviation security developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which are designed to keep pace with the evolving nature of the threat. Member States should recognize, support and draw on the cooperation between the United Nations and ICAO and take steps to strengthen that work. The CTC’s upcoming meeting on aviation security in July is an important opportunity to focus on that issue, to share best practices and to explore how the United Nations and ICAO can best support Member States. Finally, it is not enough to simply counter terrorism. We must also ensure that we put the prevention of violent extremism, in all of its forms, at the heart of our collective efforts. We have made good progress over the past year. The prevention of violent extremism was recognized in the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy and was presented in the Secretary- General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism in January 2016. As we go forward, it is essential that we keep preventing violent extremism at the heart of all of our work.

Let me, at the outset, commend Ambassadors Aboulatta, Llorentty Solíz and Umarov for their insightful briefings and their leadership of the Committees they chair. Terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction continue to pose a serious threat to international peace and security. The threat is constantly evolving and recent alarming developments, including the use of chemical weapons in Syria by State and non-State actors, have demonstrated the tangible, concrete challenge faced by the international community. The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) and its Group of Experts are linked to the United Nations broad Counter- Terrorism Committee and its work. Paragraph 27 of resolution 2325 (2016) underscores that linkage and complementarity, and reiterates the need to enhance ongoing cooperation among the 1540 Committee, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities and the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism — through information sharing, coordination of visits to States, technical assistance and other issues of relevance to all three Committees. Terrorist individuals and entities are benefiting from rapid developments in science, technology and international commerce for proliferation purposes. That phenomenon demonstrates how the abuse of emerging scientific innovation can facilitate the spread of illicit proliferation activities, particularly through the illegal transfer of sensitive technology. This shortfall enables terrorist entities and transnational criminal networks to obtain access to weapons of mass destruction and make it harder for States to put in place effective controls to prevent proliferation activities. Since no country is immune to the terrorist threat today, it remains imperative for Member States to take the necessary steps to effectively implement the most relevant resolutions and to put in place long-term prevention efforts, in compliance with their obligation under international law, including human rights law. In that regard, Italy recognizes the ongoing work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and, in particular, their efforts to assist Member States to achieve the full implementation of Council resolutions on terrorism and to identify important issues, trends and developments. Acknowledging the ability demonstrated by terrorist individuals and entities to easily adapt to changing circumstances, including the capability to misuse the internet and social media to spread their hateful message, recruit sympathizers, raise and move funds, CTED and the Swiss non-governmental organization ICT4Peace Foundation launched a joint project on private sector engagement in order to respond to terrorists’ use of information and communications technology. We encourage CTED to further pursue work on private sector engagement, in response to terrorist use of information and communications technology. Furthermore, we welcome the CTC’s recent adoption of the proposal for a comprehensive international framework aimed at countering the ways terrorists use their narrative to encourage, motivate and recruit others to commit terrorist attacks — submitted last month to the Security Council for its consideration. The 1267 Committee and its sanctions regime remain crucial tools in the international community’s effort to detect and disrupt the activity put in place by terrorist individuals, groups and undertakings. We strongly support the work of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team pursuant to resolutions 1526 (2004) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities, particularly its regular report, focused on the evolutionary threat posed by ISIL, Da’esh and Al-Qaida and their affiliates, as well as its trip reports aimed at curbing the current threat posed by those entities in specific countries. In that regard, we look forward to cooperating with the Monitoring Team during its visit to Italy in the second half of the year. In acknowledgment of the importance of the delisting mechanism, we also want to pay tribute to the relevant role played by the Office of the Ombudsperson and its effort to guarantee due process and transparency in undertaking its function. Resolution 1540 (2004) and the second comprehensive review on the status of its implementation remain central pillars of the international non-proliferation architecture and have become even more important in the current context, which is characterized by acute and diffuse threats in which the distinction between international and internal security is blurred. The full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) is still a goal to be achieved and a long-term task that requires continuous effort at the national, regional and international levels, sustained and intensive support from the Security Council and direct interaction with States and the relevant organizations. In this regard, and this is my final point, we welcome all of the outreach activities conducted by the 1540 Committee and its strong engagement in providing capacity-building assistance and encouragement to those States that need to implement their obligations. Considering the tools currently available in countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, we believe that particular attention should be paid to the field of biological weapons. Similarly, enhancing protection of the critical infrastructure relevant to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction from the increasing risk of cyberattack is a necessity today.

Close collaboration between the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities; the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism; and the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) is essential to achieving the goal of effective international cooperation in the field of countering terrorism and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including through ensuring the comprehensive implementation of the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. We would therefore like to thank our three colleagues for having provided extensive information on the activities of the respective Committees and highly commend the efforts of the Chairs and the respective expert groups. In particular, we take positive note of the increase in the number of their country visits and other outreach activities aimed at facilitating the improvement of national counter-terrorism mechanisms, assisting in the identification of terrorist threats on the ground and assessing countries’ needs in the area of technical assistance. Recent examples include the visits carried out to terrorist-vulnerable regions such as Afghanistan and the Lake Chad basin by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and the 1267 Committee Monitoring Team. The close cooperation between these expert groups also contributes greatly to the Secretary-General’s periodic reports on the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and its affiliates worldwide. Let me briefly touch upon an issue of particular importance to the functioning of the respective Committees. The recently adopted resolutions of the Security Council, specifically 2309 (2016), on aviation security; 2322 (2016), on international judicial cooperation; 2341 (2017), on protecting critical infrastructure; and 2347 (2017), on protecting cultural property, have significantly expanded the mandate of the Counter- Terrorism Committee and CTED. We are pleased that these topics are duly reflected in the Committees’ programmes of work and that CTED is doing its utmost to deliver expert support for the activities of the United Nations and Member States in these areas. Yet we have to admit that the effective implementation of the mandated tasks requires adequate capacity and resources. It is very encouraging that CTED has managed to share this increased workload with its research network, which started off by producing, on the heels of resolution 2341 (2017), a comprehensive trends report on the protection of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks. We therefore support the strengthening of CTED’s capabilities and look forward to the review of the Directorate’s mandate this December. Ensuring the full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) underpins my country’s position in the field of non-proliferation. Given the objective need for continuous improvement in the process of the practical implementation of the provisions of the resolution, Ukraine maintains active discussions at the national level and in inter-agency meetings, with the participation of representatives from all relevant State bodies as well as the respective non-governmental organizations and community experts on the issue, so as to strengthen the coordination of all national institutions involved in the process. Our national implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) will be enhanced by the development of a road map that addresses in particular the following areas. The first is the development of a national action plan for the implementation of the resolution. In this connection, we recall that according to paragraph 8 of resolution 1977 (2011), States Members of the United Nations are invited to develop national action plans that define their priorities in this direction. Other undertakings include the establishment of a national contact centre in Ukraine and of an inter-agency working group on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), as well as interaction between Government agencies and non-governmental organizations. Given the growing threats and challenges in the field of non-proliferation, the development of cooperation between the public and private sectors, including industrial and specialized research institutions, is of particular relevance. The year 2016 marked a significant stage in the fostering of the WMD non-proliferation regime. A possible use of weapons of mass destruction is a clear and ever-present danger to humankind. The risk of the world’s most dangerous materials falling into the wrong hands, either intentionally or as a result of neglect or oversight, remains high. Thus, strengthening cooperation in preventing the proliferation of WMDs and their components, as well as building synergies among all stakeholders, including the relevant international, regional, subregional and non-governmental organizations, is an urgent task. In this light, the 1540 Committee should also continue to promote outreach activities, in conformity with the recommendations of the comprehensive review and the provisions of resolution 2325 (2016). We therefore join others in reconfirming our support for the comprehensive review of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), which culminated in the unanimous adoption of resolution 2325 (2016) in December last year. The conclusions and recommendations of the 2016 comprehensive review, once properly implemented, will significantly reinforce or even re-energize resolution 1540 (2004). The review report clearly demonstrates the differentiated implementation progress regarding both WMD types and the various obligations contained in the resolution. The document also contributes to defining specific areas for each concerned party as to where national, regional or international efforts should be intensified. However, despite all the measures taken by Member States to reduce proliferation risks, the world is witnessing growing and ever more sophisticated threats in this area. These risks arise not only from gaps in national legislation, but also from the rapid development of science and technology, as well as e-commerce and a lack of threat awareness among academia, industry and civil society. Over the past decade, chemical and biological materials have been quite often referred to as potential weapons for terrorists, non-State actors and rogue States. This assumption appears to be correct, as confirmed by recent events. Ukraine’s position in this regard is very clear: any use of weapons of mass destruction, under any circumstances, has to be met with a strong response from the international community. The perpetrators of such abhorrent acts must be held accountable, and the Council cannot afford to remain silent or indifferent on this subject.

May I first thank Ambassadors Aboulatta, Umarov and Llorenty Solíz for their briefings and for their leadership at the helm of the three Committees. Terrorism today is one of the greatest threats to international peace and security, as evidenced by the all-too-frequent attacks we hear about in the news. The risk of terrorists acquiring and using weapons of mass destruction is a disturbing reality that we have already had to face. As underlined by the Chair of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, Da’esh continues to pose an increasingly complex and multifaceted threat despite the military pressure to which it is subject on the ground. In addition to the attacks ordered directly by the group, the ones carried out in Nice, Berlin and Stockholm make clear that Da’esh’s barbarous ideology continues to push radicalized individuals to take action. In this context, our collective response must be robust and well thought out. The 1267 Committee fulfils two essential missions to which France attaches great importance. The first is analysing the terrorist threat via the reports of the Monitoring Team, which are very detailed and valuable to Member States. The second is implementing andd rigorously monitoring the sanctions list. In that regard, we encourage all Member States to continue to submit requests for listing. For that system to remain credible, the procedures should also respect the fundamental freedoms of those on the list. The establishment of the Office of the Ombudsperson in 2009 was an unprecedented action taken by the Council to improve procedural safeguards. France welcomes that step, as well as the considerable work carried out by Ms. Marchi- Uhel in that post, and encourages all States to continue to cooperate with the Office of the Ombudsperson. The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter- terrorism also fulfils two functions in a complementary manner. The first is to make States aware of the new trends that characterize the ever-changing threat of terrorism. The special meetings of the Committee, such as the one we will have on 21 June on international legal and police cooperation, are an excellent means of informing States and discussing together certain specific issues. The second function of the Counter-Terrorism Committee is to examine how States implement major Council resolutions: resolution 1373 (2001), on combating terrorism in general and its financing; resolution 1624 (2005), on combating incitement to commit terrorist acts; and resolution 2178 (2014), on foreign terrorist fighters, to name a few. It is therefore essential that States accept visits from the Executive Directorate so that it can assess their counter-terrorism system and formulate the best recommendations. It is also essential that the relevant United Nations entities, including the Task Force, be able to implement technical assistance programmes based on those evaluations and recommendations. In general, France encourages the continuation of the joint meetings of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the 1267 Committee in order to compare the analysis of the terrorist threat and the assessment of the implementation of the Security Council resolutions. Finally, I would like to say a few words about the important work being carried out by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), chaired by Bolivia. The risk of biological, chemical and nuclear materials falling into the hands of terrorists is a real danger. It is now known that Da’esh has chemical capabilities in Syria and Iraq. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)-United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism has established that Da’esh used mustard gas on at least one occasion in Syria in 2015. Added to this are the remaining doubts as to the Syrian declaration on its chemical programme to the OPCW. Moreover, the potential existence of residual capacity on Syrian territory only increases that risk, which we take very seriously. It is therefore more important than ever to adapt our effort as the threat evolves. The review carried out in 2016 confirmed that the progress achieved in the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and subsequent resolutions was tangible, both nationally and regionally. The great majority of Member States have now adopted measures that transpose the provisions of the resolution into national law. Whether it concerns the securing of sensitive materials and goods, the strengthening of border controls or even, where appropriate, the establishment of export control mechanisms, the international community is on standby to ensure that such sensitive materials and goods cannot fall into the hands of terrorists. The adoption of resolution 2325 (2016) has made it possible to adapt and strengthen our tools to combat this threat. By bolstering the cooperation, assistance and interaction that must guide our efforts, we will be able to better prevent the risk of acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors. France will remain fully involved in that regard.

I would like to thank Ambassadors Umarov, Aboulatta and Llorentty Solíz for their briefings. The Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), under the leadership of the three ambassadors, have actively carried out their work. That is something that China appreciates. Terrorism is a common enemy of the whole of humankind. Da’esh, Al-Qaida and other terrorist forces pose a serious threat to international peace and security. Counter-terrorism capacity-building in all countries and international counter-terrorism cooperation need to be strengthened urgently. The prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery is a shared task of the international community. Under such circumstances, the international community should strengthen cooperation by implementing comprehensive policies and effectively dealing with these issues. First, the 1267 Committee is an important Council counter-terrorism mechanism. It evaluates the threats of terrorism organizations, strengthens sanctions measures and ensures that the relevant Council resolutions are implemented effectively. Indeed, it plays an important role. Recently, the 1267 Committee, pursuant to the mandate of the Council’s resolution, carried out a review of the sanctions list, strengthened its work on listing and delisting and conducted other review work. It has strengthened cooperation with the Monitoring Team and the Ombudsman and has consistently improved its working methodologies, efficiency and effectiveness. Its work is full of positive results. China hopes the 1267 Committee will strengthen its communication with the Member States concerned, strengthen its cooperation with regional and subregional counter-terrorism mechanisms and support the capacity-building and counter-terrorism efforts of relevant countries and regional organizations. The 1267 Monitoring Team and the Ombudsman should follow the Security Council resolutions and the rules of procedure of the Committee by further improving their work and jointly maintaining the mechanism’s effectiveness and authority. Secondly, the 1373 Committee, supported by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, has promoted the full implementation of the Council’s resolution, monitored new terrorist threats and evolving trends and provided technical assistance in the area of counter-terrorism, thereby playing an important role in that regard. China supports the continuing attention given by the 1373 Committee to the fight against the use of the Internet by terrorist organizations for terrorist activities and financing. China welcomes the 1373 Committee’s submission of proposals to the Council for a comprehensive international framework on counter- narratives. China hopes the 1373 Committee will continue to strengthen its dialogue with Member States and have better coordination and cooperation with other United Nations agencies. Furthermore, it hopes the Committee will help Member States to strengthen their counter-terrorism capacities so as to cooperatively deal with the new challenges of terrorist organizations using the Internet for their terrorist activities. Thirdly, the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery is a common challenge for the international community. It is also an important component of the global governance. In 2016 the 1540 Committee carried out a comprehensive review of the implementation of the resolution by Member States and the work of the 1540 Committee. It also produced a comprehensive review report. The Council also adopted resolution 2325 (2016) unanimously. In the next stage of work, the 1540 Committee, guided by the Council’s resolutions and the programme of work of the Committee, should insist on Member States playing a leading role in non-proliferation efforts, and avoid the establishment of new mechanisms. It should give priority to meeting the needs of developing countries so as to strengthen their capacity to implement the resolutions. China is against all forms of terrorism and is actively implementing relevant United Nations resolutions in earnest. China is taking part actively in international counter-terrorism cooperation. China is willing to work with the international community to promote actively international cooperation on counter-terrorism, to improve the non-proliferation system and to jointly maintain international peace and stability.

I would like to thank the Permanent Representatives of Egypt, Kazakhstan and Bolivia for their briefings and their leadership as Chairs of their respective Committees. Acts of terrorism continue to pose a threat to international peace and security and affect all regions of the world. We view such acts as attacks on democracy and on our open and tolerant societies. Terrorism in all its forms must be opposed, and those responsible, obviously, held accountable. At the same time, all counter-terrorism measures must be carried out in accordance with international law, including international human rights law, humanitarian law and refugee law — a fundamental principle reiterated in numerous Security Council resolutions. We welcome and encourage the continued good cooperation and sharing of information between the three Committees, notably through close cooperation between their respective groups of experts. It is important to continue to find synergies while respecting their distinctive mandates and tasks. I would like to make three points in response to today’s briefings. First, with regard to the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, as Da’esh’s power and attractiveness wane, its attacks have become even more bloody and indiscriminate. It is turning to increasingly desperate and malicious means to secure funds, including kidnapping for ransom. Da’esh is a threat to us all. The perpetrator of the attack in Stockholm last month is suspected of being a sympathiser or member of Da’esh. It is important that the Committee, with the assistance of the its Monitoring Team, continue to monitor and adapt its measures accordingly. The growing security challenges involving returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters calls for enhanced information sharing. The advice of the Monitoring Team, as well as that of the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, in understanding those flows is extremely useful for Member States, including Sweden, to better combat the phenomenon. Every case must be assessed on its own merits and may require the involvement of many stakeholders at the local and national levels. Sweden has introduced new penal code provisions related to travel and financing so as to fully meet the requirements set out in resolution 2178 (2014). It is also important that we make use of existing international information systems, for example within INTERPOL. The Council has recognized sexual violence as a tactic of terror, and we welcome the adoption of resolution 2331 (2016) and the report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2017/249), submitted to the 1267 Committee by his Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. We look forward to reporting by the Monitoring Team on those issues, and, with regard to the protection of cultural heritage, we look forward to the Secretary- General’s report at end of the year. We welcome the Chair’s call for cooperation by Member States in the annual review of the 1267 list. For the sanctions regime to be credible and effective, the listings must be factual and correct. We recognize the important work carried out by the Ombudsperson in that regard, as well as the impartial and professional way in which she is carrying out her mandate. The sharing of information with the Ombudsperson by Member States helps to safeguard the credibility of the listings, thereby strengthening the sanctions regime. Secondly, with regard to the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter- terrorism, Sweden welcomes the many opportunities for dialogue in the Committee on the current challenges in countering terrorism. The goal of all counter- terrorism activities must be to prevent terrorist attacks from being carried out in the first place. At the same time, fundamental principles, such as the freedom of information and of expression, online as well as off- line, and the freedom of association and assembly must be upheld. Those freedoms represent the basis of an open society that promotes critical thinking and, consequently, resilience against terrorist propaganda. Women play multiple roles in relation to terrorism, including those of perpetrators, supporters, facilitators, victims and preventers. We encourage the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate to apply an integrated gender perspective in all its reports, as mandated in resolution 2242 (2015). Thirdly, and finally, regarding weapons of mass destruction, resolution 1540 (2004) remains a central pillar of the multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation regimes. The goal of resolution 1540 (2004) — to stop non-State actors from acquiring weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery — is closely linked to global anti-terrorism efforts. The threat from non-State actors is real, and its urgency has become even more evident with the increased confirmed use of chemical weapons. We welcome the role of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) in facilitating technical assistance, in particular by engaging actively in matching offers and requests of assistance, including through a regional approach. Sweden is engaged in such cooperation with Ukraine in the area of export controls. We welcome the decision to hold a special meeting of the 1540 Committee devoted to intangible transfers of technology, since more attention should be placed on knowledge and information as central factors in the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

I would like to begin by thanking you, Sir, for convening this meeting, which we find very relevant and useful in the light of the common goal that the three Committees share as important subsidiary organs of the Security Council in countering terrorism. We express appreciation to all three Chairs — Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta, Kairat Umarov and Sacha Sergio Llorentty Solíz — and their respective teams for their dedicated efforts. With regard the report of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter- terrorism (CTC), we recognize the indispensable role that it plays in monitoring the implementation of resolution 1373 and the other relevant resolutions on counter-terrorism. Ethiopia also appreciates the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) in implementing the CTC’s decisions. The expert assessments, which provide assistance to Member States in the implementation of Security Council resolutions on terrorism, have also been very useful and relevant. We note in particular the increase in the number of assessments and their follow- up on facilitating technical assistance, as reported by the Chair, and appreciate the CTC as well as CTED for their efforts in that regard. We believe that the promotion of regional cooperation should be strengthened and should also focus on the most affected countries and regions. It is right that the assessment visits to Member States should be followed-up with the facilitation of capacity- building and technical assistance where there is a need to fill in the existing gaps. In that regard, we would like to commend the role of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force and other bilateral partners in their continued engagement with the CTC and the CTED. We also note that identifying new threats, emerging trends and potential responses; countering terrorist financing, transnational organized crimes and their linkage to the funding of terrorism, the misuse of social media for the purposes of financing terrorism, as well as establishing awareness of the increased use of the Internet and other communication technologies for terrorist purposes, have also been given due attention by the Committee. In all those areas, the engagement and cooperation of all relevant stakeholders, both public and private, remain very critical. We appreciate the timely submission by the Council of the comprehensive international framework to counter terrorist narratives as requested by the presidential statement adopted on 11 May 2016 (S/PRST/2016/6). We believe that developing counter- narratives should benefit from existing good practices and also take into account respective national contexts so as to be effective. The work of the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities is very critical in overseeing the sanctions measures imposed by the Security Council on ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated groups, individuals, undertakings and entities, in accordance with the relevant resolutions. We appreciate the report and updates that we have received on the activities of that Committee. We recognize the important work of the analytical support and sanctions Monitoring Team in assisting the Committee’s work and commend their expertise and professionalism. The report rightly points out that Al-Qaida and its affiliates continue to present a complex and difficult challenge to international security. Moreover, the emergence of ISIL has not strategically weakened Al-Qaida. Although the decline in the number of volunteer fighters going to Iraq and Syria is good news, we note the growing challenge with regard to returnees and the relocation of fighters. We note what South-East Asia and West and East Africa are experiencing in terms of a rising level of risk emanating from ISIL and Al-Qaida affiliates. Therefore, enhanced information sharing among Member States, as highlighted by the Monitoring Team, remains vital. We note with great concern the threat posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and related materials, and of the possibility of such weapons falling into the hands of non-State actors, particularly terrorists. We believe that the issue of the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction under the agenda of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) should be seen from the broader point of view of a total ban and elimination of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. The objectives of resolution 1540 (2004) can be best achieved through the gradual control and reduction of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, leading towards their total elimination and prohibition. In that regard, we welcome the ongoing discussions in the context of the General Assembly to negotiate and adopt a comprehensive and universal legally binding framework on the prohibition of nuclear weapons with a view to their total elimination. We believe that is vitally important. We concur with Ambassador Llorentty Solíz that cooperation between the three Committees at the experts’ level should continue. As a follow-up to today’s joint briefing, the Chairs of the Committees could consider convening a joint meeting between the Committees at the experts’ level to identify concrete measures or mechanisms that could help to further enhance the existing cooperation with a view to preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction into the hands of terrorists. In addition, the possibility of the joint participation of the 1540 Committee’s Group of Experts and the Monitoring Team of the Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities in national workshops and regional meetings in the context of 1540-related issues could be further explored, where appropriate. Coordination between the 1540 Committee Group of Experts and the Monitoring Team could also be envisaged in relation to the capacity-building and technical assistance provided to Member States or other organizations. Such joint participation and coordination would enable the 1540 Committee Group of Experts and the Monitoring Team to coordinate their responses to the risks posed by terrorists.

I would first like to thank you, Mr. President, for organizing today’s meeting for joint briefings on the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities and the Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004). That is a result of improvements in our methods of work and in coordination between United Nations institutions, which is so essential to having an impact. That is why it is a pleasure to be able to thank Ambassadors Aboulatta, Llorentty Solíz and Umarov, the Chairs of those three Committees, whose statements very much reflect the level and quality of the cooperation they receive. In a global context marked by increasingly violent and sophisticated attacks by terrorist and extremist groups such as Al-Qaida and the Islamic State and their affiliates, it is encouraging to see these three vital Security Council entities combining their efforts to implement their mandates. Given these terrorist groups’ ability to adapt, especially to technological change, and their increasingly clear willingness to create as many victims as possible — civilian victims in particular — in their attempts to achieve their aims, a well-coordinated mobilization of international efforts is essential to prevent them getting their hands on weapons of mass destruction in particular. In this global mobilization of efforts to combat the threat of terrorism and violent extremism, it is crucial to ensure that Africa does not become a weak link or fertile ground for the spread of terrorist groups and transnational criminal organizations, since besides groups such as Al-Shabaab, Boko Haram and Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, there are indications that the Islamic State is trying to move into other parts of the world, including the Sahelo-Saharan zone of Africa, using foreign terrorist fighters, among others, to spearhead those efforts. In 2011 the United Nations assessment mission on the impact of the Libyan crisis on the Sahel region reported that all sorts of sophisticated weapons were being circulated and smuggled, threatening the stability and security of the countries of the region. We can add to that situation the problems of transnational organized crime and every kind of trafficking, including trafficking in drugs and in persons. Based on that, and with a view to helping Member States improve their implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, the delegation of Senegal would like to highlight the following points. First, beyond their collaboration with one another, it is important that the three Committees under discussion work to establish and strengthen partnerships at the national, regional and international level with all the parties involved, both public and private, in the areas of the sharing of information, experience and intelligence, and in coordinating operations so as to disrupt terrorists’ supply chains and improve border controls — all of this in order to better understand Member States’ priorities and needs and improve the coordination of assistance to them. Secondly, while the Committees’ mandates differ, we encourage their continued collaboration in complementary areas, such as joint participation in country visits, in the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force and in drafting the Secretary-General’s reports on the threat posed by the Islamic State. Thirdly, the political commitment of the African Union is to be commended not only for its cooperation with the 1540 Committee at conferences for countries requesting assistance, but also for taking action in subregions, through, for example, the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad basin and the standby force being generated by the Group of Five for the Sahel. In conclusion, my delegation encourages this tripartite collaboration and hopes that it can be expanded, as far as possible, to other United Nations entities whose remits cross the mandates of the three Committees. All of this will have limited effect on the fallacious propaganda of terrorist organizations and violent extremists if the international community in general, and the United Nations and the Security Council in particular, cannot come up with doctrinal responses and solutions to problems of inequality and development.

I shall now make a statement in my national capacity as representative of Uruguay. I would like to thank the ambassadors of Egypt, Kazakhstan and Bolivia, the Chairs of the three Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, and to resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004), and their detailed briefings on the Committees’ work combating terrorism. I would also like to thank the Executive Directorate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, the Group of Experts of the 1540 Committee and as the Office of the Ombudsperson for the work they do in accordance with their mandates. Uruguay encourages cooperation and coordination between the Committees and we hope that it will continue in the areas discussed and that other possible areas of cooperation can be found, particularly with regard to the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force. In our view, the Committees’ reports provide us with very useful information that allows us to understand the dimension of the terrorist phenomenon and how it is developing. With regard to the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism, we particularly appreciate the country visits by the Committee’s Executive Directorate, which make it possible to identify strengths and weaknesses in normative matters, as well as in institutional, technical and operational capacity. This, in addition to the identification and exchange of good practices and to the role that the Committee meets in providing technical assistance, are an example of what international cooperation can offer to those countries that need it. In that connection, we appreciate in particular the recent visit to Uruguay by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, as well as its recommendations and assessments, and we express our desire to continue to work together with it in a spirit of frank cooperation. This is important to us, not only to prepare us from a national perspective, but also as part of our commitment to the United Nations system and as an expression of our responsibility to and solidarity with members of the international community. We also consider very useful the thematic reports and meetings organized by the Committee to address different aspects of the terrorist phenomenon. With regard to the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)/Da’esh, Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, we believe to be of vital importance the Committee’s monitoring of ISIL, Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities and its important work to neutralize the capacity for action of all who are included on the Committee’s sanctions list through the freezing of assets, travel bans and arms embargoes. However, we note that a large part of the effectiveness of the sanctions regime depends on the cooperation and the commitment of States to keep the list up to date. The creation of the Office of the Ombudsperson, pursuant to resolution 1904 (2009), represents an important step forward in favour of procedural guarantees that help to provide the regime with impartiality and transparency. With regard to the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), we are concerned by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the growing risk that these could fall into the hands of non-State actors, including terrorist groups. That is why consider important the preventive role played by the 1540 Committee and the work of the Committee in its areas of work: implementation, assistance, cooperation, transparency and dissemination. While the mandates of the three Committees differ, there are important areas of complementarity and cooperation among the Committees and the experts is important to promote the effective implementation by States of their obligations pursuant to Security Council resolutions. In conclusion, for Uruguay, it is crucial that we continue all antiterrorist activities in the framework of the rule of law and that we respect and protect fundamental freedoms. I now resume my functions as President of the Council.