S/PV.7962 Security Council

In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Jeffrey Feltman, Under- Secretary-General for Political Affairs, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2017/467, which contains the fifth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat. I give the floor to Mr. Feltman. Mr. Feltman: At the outset, I would like to reiterate, on behalf of the Secretary-General, my solidarity with the people and the Governments of Iraq, Afghanistan, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Egypt and Iran following the recent terrorist attacks on their cities. I call on all Member States to redouble their efforts to strengthen international cooperation to address terrorism and violent extremism, and bring those responsible for these despicable attacks to justice. I am grateful for this opportunity to brief the Security Council on the fifth report of the Secretary- General on the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat (S/2017/467). The report was prepared with the input of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, and in close collaboration with the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre and other relevant entities. Since January 2016, the four previous reports to the Security Council on the threat posed by ISIL have focused on the global landscape; South-East Asia; Yemen and East Africa; Libya and Afghanistan; and Europe, North Africa and West Africa. This fifth report has taken a global approach, with a focus on the financing of terrorism. The report stresses that ISIL, despite continuous military pressure, continues to resist, particularly in Mosul and Raqqa. At the same time, ISIL has reorganized its military structure, giving more power to local commanders, and is more focused than ever before on enabling and inspiring attacks outside of conflict zones. The threat from ISIL has been intensified by its use of the Internet and social media to disseminate propaganda online to a wide international audience. Although the volume of such messages has declined over the past 16 months, the threat persists as supporters outside Syria and Iraq collect and redistribute that propaganda. In Europe, ISIL has used its online presence to encourage supporters to mount attacks in their countries of residence. That has led to multiple attacks, including in Belgium, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Some attacks were carried out by foreign terrorist fighter returnees, while others were conducted by individuals who had not travelled to conflict zones. Investigations demonstrate that the perpetrators, despite being sometimes labelled as lone actors, often received support or resources from facilitators and, in a number of cases, were in direct contact with ISIL enablers. The report notes a decrease in the flow of foreign terrorist fighters and in the overall number of ISIL fighters during the past 16 months. However, returnees and the relocation of fighters from the conflict zones to other regions now present a considerable threat to international security. Although ISIL’s financial situation has steadily declined over the past 16 months, it continues to rely chiefly on the same two revenue streams, namely, sales of hydrocarbons and extortion/taxation, which may amount to tens of millions of dollars per month. ISIL has also drawn income from antiquities smuggling, agricultural products, the sale of electricity, exploitation of mineral resources such as phosphates and sulfuric acid, external donations, kidnapping for ransom and human trafficking. As ISIL loses its control on population centres and its forces continue to dwindle, it will also have substantially lower costs. Despite growing liquidity shortages, ISIL may be able to stretch further its existing resources. ISIL continues to fund affiliates, while urging them to become more self-sufficient and proactive in developing internal revenue streams. Money services, including exchange houses and money couriers, continue to be a preferred method for ISIL and its supporters to move funds across borders. As Member States consider efforts to counter ISIL financing, a key concern is how to allow reconstruction and stabilization funds to flow into liberated areas, including by reconnecting international financial structures, without also enabling ISIL remnants to abuse those structures and exploit that new liquidity. With regard to ISIL’s evolving threat outside of Syria and Iraq, ISIL-affiliated groups in North Africa have shown considerable resilience and pose a serious danger. For example, while ISIL in Libya has been weakened after losing a significant portion of the territory it controlled, its threat persists in Libya and in neighbouring countries. In West Africa, ISIL is challenging established Al-Qaida affiliates. In East Africa, emerging ISIL affiliates operating in Puntland and parts of southern Somalia compound the threat posed by Al-Qaida’s affiliates. Al-Shabaab, ISIL in Somalia and ISIL in Yemen represent an increasing menace. ISIL in Afghanistan is shifting its focus to the north of the country. The threat level has intensified in South-East Asia, with ISIL directing more of its attention, including its propaganda, at the region. I welcome the efforts of the Council over the past months to adopt resolutions on countering terrorist narratives; protecting critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks; stemming the destruction, looting and smuggling of cultural heritage sites and artefacts, as well as their illicit trade and trafficking carried out by terrorist groups or in a context of armed conflict; and addressing the terrorist threat in the Lake Chad basin region. Member States, the United Nations and international, regional and subregional organizations continue to strengthen existing tools while also developing new ones to address the rapidly evolving threat posed by ISIL, including the threat posed by returning foreign terrorist fighters. In that context, the report highlights some points that deserve attention. First, since the adoption of resolution 2253 (2015), 11 associated individuals have been listed in the ISIL and Al-Qaida sanctions list. Among them, eight are listed as financiers or financial facilitators. Secondly, Member States are making substantial progress on adapting their legal and operational frameworks to the requirements of Security Council resolutions in order to address the terrorist financing and foreign terrorist fighter threats. Notwithstanding that, more work needs to be done with regard to the implementation of those norms and mechanisms, including in the context of terrorist asset-freezing, cross-border movement of cash, and human rights- compliant travel measures to address the foreign terrorist fighter threat. Thirdly, the efforts of United Nations entities, as well as those of other key actors, such as INTERPOL and the Financial Action Task Force, have helped strengthen regional and national frameworks to counter terrorism financing and stem the flow of foreign terrorist fighters. Other examples in the report include CTED’s assessments and identification of good practices, and the capacity-building initiatives of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, including on the legal and judicial aspects of terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom and asset freezing, and border security and management. The CTITF office and CTED recently concluded the second iteration of the Security Council-mandated all- of-United Nations capacity-building implementation plan to stem the flow of foreign terrorist fighters. While the projects and the plan continue to address the entire life-cycle of the foreign terrorist fighter phenomenon, the updated version focuses on the tail end of the life-cycle, with a number of projects related to prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration to support Member States in their efforts to address returnees. A number of projects have now been completed or are well under way. The plan now includes 50 projects, submitted by 13 entities, with a total budget of $107 million over five years. Forty-one per cent of the total budget is funded. Fourthly, the United Nations is assisting Member States and regions most at risk and where United Nations support can bring added value. For example, the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre, as mandated by resolution 2195 (2015) and presidential statement S/PRST/2015/24, and in collaboration with other CTITF entities, is developing a regional all-of- United Nations integrated assistance for countering terrorism initiative for the Group of Five (G-5) Sahel countries, as well as a national initiative for Mali. As mentioned in the report, the United Nations engagement in the Sahel will evolve in response to the continued threats posed by terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organized crime and illicit trans-border trafficking. Partnerships between the United Nations system and regional stakeholders need to be strengthened to effectively support G-5 countries’ efforts to fight terrorism and illicit trafficking. The United Nations is renewing its engagement in the region, following an independent review of the Integrated Strategy for the Sahel. Since the first report of the Secretary-General pursuant to resolution 2253 (2015), ISIL and its affiliates have remained under continuous military pressure and experienced significant setbacks. At the same time, ISIL is becoming an increasingly transnational threat, which severely undermines international peace and security. Consequently, the Secretary-General welcomes the focus that the Security Council has put on this matter and urges it to enhance multilateral cooperation to address the threats and challenges he has reported on. The Secretary-General considers countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism to be one of the highest priorities of the Organization. That is why, in his report contained in documentA /71/858, currently being considered by the General Assembly, he recommends the establishment of a new office of counter-terrorism headed by an Under-Secretary- General. I am convinced that the new office will provide stronger leadership to our counter-terrorism efforts, enhance United Nations coordination and increase the impact of our assistance to Member States.

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

I thank Under-Secretary-General Feltman for his briefing. Defeating the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) is an urgent priority. As noted in the report (S/2017/467) of the Secretary-General, the international community has made notable progress in degrading ISIS, but we have a long road ahead to ultimately defeat it. Thanks to the efforts of the United States-led global coalition, ISIS has not retaken any territory in Iraq and Syria from coalition forces since May 2015. Overall, with the support of the coalition, local ground forces have liberated more than 4 million people — 2.7 million in Iraq and 1.4 million in Syria. They have retaken more than 55,000 square kilometres of territory from ISIS, about 66 per cent of the populated territory ISIS once held in Iraq, and 47 per cent of the populated territory it once held in Syria. That is real progress. While ISIS is losing territory and the ability to fund itself, we must stay vigilant to counter the evolving threat that it poses across the globe. We need to maintain pressure on regional and local safehavens. To advance that work, I should like to emphasize today three lines of effort: first, cracking down on ISIS’s finances; secondly, addressing the threat posed by its foreign terrorist fighters; and thirdly, countering ISIS’s terrorist messaging. Isolating ISIS from the international financial system remains essential. The United States, since 2014, has sanctioned eight ISIS branches, along with more than 70 senior ISIS leaders, operatives, financial facilitators, recruiters and affiliated money- service businesses. We have also proposed that the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida,and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities designate senior ISIS leaders, financiers, facilitators and affiliates for sanctions. The Committee’s list must continually adapt to the evolving threat, such as by designating money-service businesses, as well as ISIS affiliates and their leaders. When the Security Council starts its regular review this month of the ISIS and Al-Qaida sanctions, we will support any necessary modifications to make sure that the sanctions are adapted to this evolving terrorist threat. Adapting our approach has been key to preventing the flow of foreign terrorist fighters. This has been and must continue to be a major part of our effort to defeat ISIS. Through diplomatic engagement and the global implementation of important Security Council resolutions, such as resolution 2178 (2014), we have seen significant progress, and that must continue. INTERPOL has been essential to this effort. In the past four years, there has been a thousand-fold increase in the amount of information on foreign fighters shared with INTERPOL. INTERPOL now hold the details of more than 15,000 individuals provided by more than 60 countries, and that number continues to grow. Strengthening this shared resource empowers global law enforcement authorities, helping them to identify and disrupt foreign terrorist fighter transit networks. We are concerned as highlighted by the Secretary- General in his report (S/2017/467), about the increasing number of foreign terrorist fighters returning to their countries of origin or going to third countries. Addressing this issue requires a truly global approach, and that should begin with improving information-sharing and cooperation at the international, regional and subregional levels. We all must get better at identifying foreign fighter returnees. Also, all countries must enact legislation, as required by resolution 2178 (2014), to strengthen their ability to prosecute related crimes. We also must respond to ISIS’s stepped up efforts to radicalize and recruit others to violence. To do so, we are working closely with our partners to combat ISIS’s messaging and poisonous narrative. We commend the work of the Global Coalition Communications Working Group, which is led by the United States, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The Working Group regularly brings together over 30 countries with media and tech companies to share information and strategies to counter violent extremist messages online and present positive alternative narratives. We also applaud private-sector efforts to police ISIS-related content. Twitter has suspended more than 635,000 ISIS-related or ISIS-affiliated accounts since 2015. Facebook and YouTube are similarly removing ISIS-related content from their platforms that violate their terms of service. Meanwhile, Google is putting in place new and innovative ideas to redirect those who search for ISIS content to other content. In closing, the United States, working in concert with our partners, will take aggressive action to defeat ISIS and adapt to changing threats. We call on the United Nations to do the same, helping Member States to strengthen their ability to counter ISIS, to adapt and to prevent the next terrorist threat from emerging.

I should like to thank Under-Secretary-General Feltman for his comprehensive briefing. We also welcome the timely and relevant report of the Secretary-General (S/2017/467), which underscores a number of the significant features of the threat we face. The attacks over the past weeks in Manchester, Kabul, Baghdad, London and Tehran are a stark reminder, if one were needed, of the continued and shared threat that we all face from terrorist groups. The aim of these acts is clear — to create fear and mistrust within communities and between countries. The attackers targeted women and children in Baghdad who were breaking their Ramadan fast with a treat of ice cream. In Manchester, they targeted young children seeing their favourite singer perform. However, in the response to these most recent attacks, we have seen the opposite of fear and division. In fact, rather than fear, there were acts of courage and incredible bravery on the part of ordinary individuals. Rather than division, all sections of society across many countries came together in solidarity for vigils and marches that sent a message of unity and peace. Since our last briefing in February (see S/PV.7877), our capital, Stockholm, was the target of an attack that is being investigated as a terrorist attack. The perpetrator is suspected of being a sympathizer or member of Da’esh. In response, thousands of Swedes gathered in Stockholm’s central square to mourn the dead, but also in a show of defiance — showing, as our Prime Minister said, “that there is a strength in Sweden that nobody can take away from us”. Responding to the threat of terrorism requires solidarity not only within countries, but also between countries. In March, Sweden hosted the first Nordic Regional Meeting of Security Services, which included the participation of the Monitoring Team. As noted in the trip report, the terrorist threat posed by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant in the Nordic countries is rising, in particular with regard to foreign terrorist fighters returning from conflict zones. In order to counter and prevent the threat, we have introduced legislation specifically targeting foreign terrorist fighters and returnees. We have increased national inter-agency cooperation and taken steps to ensure that local actors are involved in the effort to prevent terrorism and violent extremism. Sweden now makes an assessment of each returnee, seeking to identify individuals who are deemed to pose a risk or suspected of crimes. If they are found to pose such a risk, they are monitored, investigated and tried. As part of our strong focus on prevention, we are putting in place mechanisms aimed at safeguarding vulnerable individuals, targeting in particular those at risk of radicalization. In addition, rehabilitation and support for defectors requires a broad spectrum of interventions at all levels — municipal, regional and national. We stress the importance of strengthening the fight against impunity for terrorist acts, including by holding the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of terrorist attacks responsible. All measures against terrorism must be taken in compliance with international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law. We must all make every effort possible to cut off the supply of financing to terrorist organizations. Domestically, we have revised the offence of terrorist financing in line with the updated international standards mentioned in the report. Even though we had successfully prosecuted and convicted individuals for terrorist financing before these revisions, we believe that the updated legislation will provide our law enforcement authorities with new possibilities for prosecuting terrorist financing, in line with relevant Security Council resolutions and other international obligations. We agree that information-sharing on risks, as stated in paragraphs 38 and 39 of the report, is an essential tool in the fight against terrorist financing. The more the authorities and the private sector know about the means through which terrorists attempt to finance their activities, the better our opportunities to put an end to it. Our ultimate goal in this regard must be to detect and stop attacks before they take place. We encourage the Secretary-General to apply an integrated gender perspective in future reports, as mandated in resolution 2242 (2015). Among Swedish foreign terrorist fighters, several have been women. We want to reiterate the multiple roles played by women in relation to terrorism, including those of perpetrator, supporter, facilitator, victim and preventer. Each of these roles requires different approaches and strategies as part of our fight against terrorism. The attacks we have witnessed over the last three weeks will not be the last. However, with a common will and collective action future attacks need not be inevitable. The message from those who have stood up with courage and dignity in the face of terrorist attacks is this: the resilience of the human spirit means that those who seek to sow terror will never truly succeed.

I thank the Deputy Secretary-General for his briefing on the Secretary-General’s report on the evolution of the Da’esh threat to international peace and security (S/2017/467). The report also gives an account of the United Nations activities in support of Member States for the purposes of combating this threat. The report refers to the geographical presence of this terrorist group and its affiliates, its growing transnational character, its constant adaptation to new circumstances, and the variety of methods it uses to perpetrate its attacks. It also refers to the initiatives carried out by the United Nations, its Member States and international, regional and subregional organizations to deal with the rapid evolution of the threat posed by Da’esh. However, the recent attacks in Tehran, London, Kabul, Adwa, Baghdad, Manila, Manchester and Paris indicate that everything that is being done is not enough to protect innocent civilians from the barbarism of Da’esh and its affiliates. Uruguay views with concern the systematic execution of terrorist acts and reaffirms its absolute rejection of the use of violence against the civilian population, the use of intimidation aimed at disrupting the way of life of societies, shattering their basic principles and values, and undermining freedom and respect for the fundamental human rights that underpin peaceful coexistence. We are aware of and thankful for the unceasing work of the United Nations through its bodies to prevent and combat terrorism in various key areas, as well as the work of many States and regional and subregional organizations. We would like to highlight some elements that we consider fundamental to succeeding in the fight against terrorism, which the international community must continue to strengthen and bring together. The first of the elements is cooperation. More and better cooperation is needed. There is no doubt that cooperation and coordinated action in different areas and levels are necessary to combat the multiple facets of this complex terrorist phenomenon. This includes greater interaction between public and private actors and different sectors of civil society. A second element we wish to mention is the primary responsibility of States to combat terrorism and the political will they must unambiguously have to achieve that goal. The development of national counter- terrorism strategies, while respecting the obligations of the United Nations Charter and international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law, is a fundamental aspect of this commitment, particularly in the countries most concerned. A third element to highlight is technical assistance. It is essential that countries lacking the necessary capacities to prevent or combat such a complex and changing phenomenon, and particularly those most affected, can receive technical and financial assistance. A fourth and last element that we wish to emphasize is prevention. In this regard, I would like to mention the recent resolution 2354 (2017), on a comprehensive international framework to counteract the discourse of terrorist groups, reflecting an effort to prevent and combat violent extremism that can lead to radicalization and terrorism. This element is part of the struggle in the field of ideas to which Uruguay attaches particular importance, and for whose sake it is necessary to seek and foster channels of dialogue between Governments and various non-State actors. In addition, promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence and bolstering respect for international law, the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, human rights and fundamental freedoms are the responsibility of States as members of the international community and contribute to preventing and combating terrorism and violent extremism.

We should like to extend our gratitude to Mr. Feltman for his detailed and comprehensive briefing. Given present-day conditions, as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is morphing through the changing situation on the ground, the Secretary- General’s strategic analysis is especially important. The group’s significant losses notwithstanding, members of ISIL are managing to put up a military resistance in Mosul and are holding their grip on Raqqa. The group continues to spread its influence in various parts of the world. Against this backdrop, we see an ongoing reorganization of its structures and an adaptation to new conditions in the conduct of hostilities. The leadership of ISIL is curbing expenditures, funnelling money for the procurement of weapons and making regional units self-sufficient. ISIL continues to use the heinous and inhumane tactic of terrorist attacks. Yesterday, in Iran, tragedy struck once again. We extend our solidarity to the people and the Government of Iran and other States that have suffered at the hands of terrorists. The Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2017/467) on resolution 2253 (2015) contains an overall conclusion that terrorist revenue is gradually dwindling on the whole. At first glance, it might appear that Security Council mechanisms to combat terrorism financing are finally beginning to function at full capacity. However, such an assessment would be far too optimistic. Unfortunately, not all States conscientiously uphold their obligations in this sphere. Clearly, it is past time to stiffen the Security Council’s sanctions mechanisms with a focus on the full financial and economic asphyxiation of ISIL. For the moment, the reduction or curbing of revenue, as was repeatedly stressed by the Secretary- General in the report, is chiefly attributable to military losses incurred by terrorists, and yet the sources of the expansion of ISIL’s budget have not significantly changed with time. Key sources — trade in hydrocarbons and extortion from populations in the territories held by the terrorists — remain. According to the information at our disposal, ISIL’s proceeds from the sale of oil has dropped to between $12 million and $20 million per month, which is nearly three times less than what we saw in 2015. The achievement of such results has been possible thanks to the effective actions of the Russian Air Force during the counter-terrorism campaign in Syria. According to recent independent information, some 4,000 tankers have been destroyed, which has put 206 oil- and gas-producing facilities out of commission. We have previously drawn the attention of the sponsors of the report to the need to avoid selectivity in assessing developments in the context of the struggle against ISIL in Syria and Iraq. For reasons unknown, the document fails to refer to the repeated liberation of Palmyra, but highlights the fact that Manbij was liberated, which happened way back in the summer of 2016. The report further fails to mention information about civilian casualties during the operations of the so-called coalition to liberate Mosul. We are closely tracking new sources of financing for ISIL and sharing the relevant information with partners abroad and specialized organizations, particularly the Financial Action Task Force. For example, recently ISIL is increasingly resorting to human organ trafficking. It is also participating in the transport of refugees to Europe and engaging in kidnapping for ransom. In the struggle against terrorism financing, it is important to work in regional formats, including the Eurasian Group on Combating Money-Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism. We welcome the fact that the role of this organization is stressed in the report. Terrorists have mastered all the nuances of Internet and social-network use for the recruitment of fighters and for the financing of their operations. We concur with the conclusions of the report, namely, that the recent terrorist attacks in Europe and Russia were the result of the large-scale proliferation of ISIL propaganda via online platforms. In a number of cases, instructions for carrying out terrorist attacks were delivered through mobile applications that used encryption. An important step in countering terrorist propaganda was the adoption of resolution 2354 (2017), which set forth a comprehensive international framework in this realm. We consider the framework to be a solid foundation for further expansion of the Council’s mechanisms in countering terrorist ideology, including by strengthening sanctions and law enforcement measures. Despite the rivalry among the pro-Al-Qaida structures and the resistance of State bodies, ISIL continues to penetrate deep into the African continent. Recently, the level of the terrorist threat has risen in South-East Asia, including as a result of the active work of ISIL’s propaganda centres. We agree with the assessment of the ISIL threat in northern Afghanistan, contained in the report. Despite the enduring impressive international presence in the country, we believe it is premature to refer to the allegedly weakened influence of Afghan factions of ISIL. This is especially true in the light of the recent tragic events in Kabul. Evidently, the threat of the radicalization of the population, the actions of lone-wolf fighters, the creation of sleeper cells and full operational branches of large terrorist organizations have affected every State. It will be possible to stop the territorial spread of ISIL is possible only if we establish a single counter-terrorist front that defends our common values ​enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

I thank Under- Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman for his briefing just now. At the outset, let me express my condolences to the Government and the people of Iran following the terrible attacks yesterday. In recent weeks, the United Kingdom has stood firm through senseless terrorist atrocities that targeted innocent people in Manchester and London. These attacks show the worst of humankind. They seek to intimidate us, to divide us and to undermine our resolve. They fail every time. In response, ordinary people show the best of humankind. In the United Kingdom, we witnessed the men and women of our emergency services, as well as members of the public, show the greatest courage, even risking their own lives to protect others from attack. The Council has a duty now to show the same courage, the same resolve as those ordinary men and women in the face of such brutality. That is why the United Kingdom is playing a leading role in the Global Coalition to Counter Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Our collective efforts are bearing fruit. Da’esh has lost over two-thirds of the ground it once occupied in Iraq and nearly half of that held in Syria. More than 2.5 million people have now been freed from their tyrannical rule. Make no mistake — we are defeating Da’esh on the ground. In Iraq, Mosul will soon be liberated. The Iraqi security forces, with the support of the Coalition, have successfully isolated Da’esh to a final holdout in west Mosul. Thanks to the valiant efforts of the Iraqi security forces, people are already starting to return to their homes in liberated areas. In Syria, operations against Raqqa have now begun. It is only a matter of time before Da’esh loses its so-called capital. But, ultimately, degrading Da’esh effectively will take time, patience and sustained effort from the international community, including the Council. It is an effort that goes far beyond military support and that is why the Global Coalition is supporting the Government of Iraq to restore security, governance and basic services across Iraq. Helping people rebuild their lives is the first step to winning the peace. To counter the longer-term threat of Da’esh, Iraqis need political reconciliation and reform, and in Syria, we need to see a long-overdue national political settlement and a transition to a Government for all Syrians. The threat we face is changing. As we successfully degrade Da’esh in Syria and Iraq, we have seen its propaganda promote attacks elsewhere across the world. We have seen individuals inspired by these calls carryout careless attacks in the name of Da’esh. As it loses its caliphates, we are seeing its fighters flee. We must work together to deprive Da’esh of safe spaces across the world, tackling the threat of foreign fighters travelling to new havens or returning to home countries. We must also bring an end to their havens online. The pervasive spread of Islamist extremism online has gone on for too long. As one of the leads on the counter- Da’esh communications effort and, in partnership with Coalition countries, the United Kingdom has successfully diminished the quantity, but also the quality and the impact of that hateful propaganda. We are working with the industry so that, together, we take a more proactive approach to terrorist and extremist content online. Engagement so far has resulted in companies strengthening their terms and conditions and the announcement of a shared database that will catalogue known terrorist content from the Internet. We have also seen a public commitment from Google, Facebook, Twitter and Microsoft to look at options for establishing an international industry-led forum focused on this issue. There is much more to be done, so let us call on industry to do the right thing and remove hateful extremist content from its platforms. Finally, if we are to defeat Da’esh, we must hold it to account for its actions, whether online or in the real world, and seek justice for all Da’esh victims around the world. That is why the United Kingdom has launched a United Nations-led global campaign to bring Da’esh to justice that will show that Da’esh cannot act with impunity. It will act as a deterrent, both now and in the future, and help to strengthen global security. Time is of the essence. It is vital that we act now. We must start gathering evidence before it is lost or destroyed on the battlefield. I therefore welcome the discussions we have had with the Government of Iraq on this issue and the significant statement by Prime Minister Al Abadi calling, at the end of March, for “the United Nations Security Council to issue a resolution to prosecute Da’esh’s crimes against civilians”. We believe the United Kingdom’s proposal is the clear way forward for the Council to answer Prime Minister Al Abadi’s call and we look forward to working with our Iraqi colleagues so that the proposal can be finalized as soon as possible.

I would like to begin by thanking Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman for his detailed briefing. Japan takes note and pays particular attention to the three points included in the briefing: first, that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) faces financial difficulty; secondly, that the flow of foreign terrorist fighters to Iraq and Syria has slowed; and, thirdly, that the number of ISIL fighters has significantly decreased. These are positive developments, however, since the last report in February (S/2017/97), we have witnessed a number of terrorist attacks throughout the world, including in the United Kingdom, Afghanistan, Australia, Egypt, Indonesia, the Philippines, France, Sweden, Russia, Syria, Iraq and now in Iran. On this occasion, I would like to express again my deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of those victims and all the affected Governments. Now, as the Under-Secretary-General said, the threat posed by ISIL is evolving globally. While ISIL is experiencing military setbacks, foreign terrorist fighters are returning to their countries of origin or relocating to other regions. As the report (S/2017/467) notes, the threat level has intensified in South-East Asia. Returnees to that region continue to pose a significant concern, as they could increase the military capabilities of local terrorist networks. Relocators from Iraq and Syria, who are not nationals of South-East Asian States, are another source of concern, as they are most likely unknown to the local authorities. We are alarmed by ISIL’s evolving tactics, which include diversifying financial sources, disseminating propaganda through social media, exploiting encrypted applications and using broken travel. We have heard reports of the use of bitcoin and drones. ISIL employs those evolving tactics and we must be responsive to the counterterrorism resolutions and enhance our capabilities. The Council has recently adopted resolutions on aviation security with resolution 2309 (2016); international judicial cooperation with resolution 2322 (2016); the protection of critical infrastructure with resolution 2341 (2017); and counter-narratives with resolution 2354 (2017). The adoption of those resolutions is noteworthy, but their implementation is equally vital. Japan has implemented them and has also developed new measures. For example, we recently enacted laws to prevent terrorists from using bitcoin and virtual currencies, and to prohibit drones from flying over critical facilities, embassies, and nuclear plants. The terrorist threat is global, and we must extend assistance to those in need as part of our collective response. Japan, for example, provided $35 million in March, mainly to South-East Asia, in the light of the increasing threat in that region. Those funds will be used to facilitate the implementation of relevant resolutions through concrete projects, including on advance passenger information, international judicial cooperation, INTERPOL databases and counter-propaganda. Last week, a briefing was held by the Counter- Terrorism Implementation Task Force on the Capacity Building Implementation Plan for Countering the Flow of Foreign Terrorist Fighters, which was established by PRST/2015/11. While the plan was proposed two years ago, only eight Member States and two organizations have contributed thus far and only 41 per cent of budgetary demands have been met. Japan has contributed $12.5 million — that is, 12 per cent of the total budget. Japan invites all Member States to consider contributing to that plan as well, given the importance of implementation and impact. The new office of counter-terrorism is expected to better coordinate our contributions and, consequently, to enhance counter-terrorism measures in all Member States. We must not lose that momentum. We must unite to fight against ISIL and other terrorist groups by implementing Council resolutions and developing our counter-terrorism measures.

At the outset, I should like to thank the Secretary-General for his clear and exhaustive report (S/2017/467) and Under-Secretary- General Jeffrey Feltman for his comprehensive briefing. Some issues are worth highlighting for today’s discussion. Daily brutal violent acts affecting civilians continue to occur. In that regard, we strongly condemn the most recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, in London and Manchester of the United Kingdom, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, in the Philippines, Iraq, Egypt and France. It is a long list of attacks that ocurred in a relatively short period of time and, while we want to express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and our solidarity to the affected Governments, we also want to highlight that this is the most evident proof of the level of threat that we face. We are also aware that the threat is increasing via hate propaganda. Security Council resolution 2354 (2017) raised awareness within the international community that strictly military counter-terrorism operations or attempts to block terrorist revenue sources are not enough. It is crucial that the credibility of their distorted interpretation of religion be undermined by effective and widely shared information and education through solid and durable cooperation with the private sector, internet service providers and social media platforms. We also recognize the importance of the private sectors in fighting financial flows to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). We therefore welcome the report’s emphasis on ongoing efforts aimed at strengthening multilateral frameworks to combat the financing of terrorism in national legislation and acknowledging the importance of providing the most explosive countries with technical assistance and training programmes. We share the concern highlighted in the Secretary- General’s report over trafficking in human beings and cultural property as a means of funding terrorist activities. Resolution 2347 (2017) on the illicit trade and trafficking of cultural property, as well as resolution 2331 (2016), which condemns all forms of human trafficking undertaken by Da’esh and other criminal groups, are milestones of paramount importance in that challenge. In that regard, I want to reiterate our strong condemnation of the smuggling of migrants and human trafficking that continues to endanger the lives of thousands of people along the journey through Africa and the Mediterranean Sea — made more appealing by its possible contribution to the financing of terrorism. I want to reiterate that in its ongoing efforts to combine security and solidarity, my country remains committed to rescuing and assisting the thousands of migrants who reach our shore. We acknowledge that Da’esh will long remain the most serious threat to the security of our country. While its military defeat in Iraq and Syria is only a matter of time, the international community must remain vigilant by helping to stabilize liberated areas and by countering and preventing the lingering global threats. The stabilization of liberated areas in Iraq, together with reforms and reconciliation are the strongest antidotes to the resurgence of a terrorist threat. As for Syria, only a genuine political transition can bring about the conditions for completely uprooting ISIL and other extremist and terrorist actors from the country. In Libya, outstanding results have been achieved in he fight against Da’esh. Nevertheless, counter terrorism must remain a strategic priority. In order to make it more effective, we continue to support a solution based on a unified security force under the control of the Presidency Council. That will strengthen the legitimate institutional framework underpinned by the Libyan Political Agreement and the Security Council. In time, Da’esh may turn into a more traditional terrorist and criminal organization with unique appeal and capabilities. The more the would-be caliphate disappears from the map, the more it might try to raise the profile through additional terrorist attacks in our homeland. In that regard, we welcome the report’s emphasis on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. Indeed, regardless of the size of flows, we share the concern over the risk of foreign terrorist fighters returning to their countries of origin or relocating to a third country. Still, with respect to returnees, we appreciate the report’s focus on legal aspects — stressing the centrality of the judicial response to terrorist criminal activity and the respect for the rule of law. We therefore believe that the most effective countries should receive technical and legal assistance in a timely and effective manner. Moreover, the experience gained in the Lake Chad basin highlighted in resolution 2341 (2017) should be considered a model for the larger-scale development of a strategy for the return, rehabilitation and reintegration of foreign terrorist fighters. We welcome the report’s reference to a human rights-compliant approach in countering Da’esh, which must remain central to the international community’s counter-terrorism strategy. We cannot expect to build an effective and credible counter narrative without a crystal-clear record of upholding human rights and promoting fundamental freedoms, including when it comes to monitoring terrorists’ exploitation of information and communications technology. Finally, international cooperation is crucial to countering terrorism. The United Nations must continue to play a leading role in fostering law enforcement and judicial cooperation, including through its agencies and offices, to strengthen responses to ISIL at the regional and global levels. We therefore fully support the proposal to establish a new counter terrorism office in order to increase the effectiveness of United Nations assistance to Member States through enhanced coordination and streamlining. Likewise, Italy is closely following the implementation of resolution 2322 (2016) adopted on 12 December. The 8 May Arria Formula meeting, dedicated to the role of national central authorities, represents one of Italy’s specific contributions in that regard.

At the outset, let me warmly thank Jeffrey Feltman for his illuminating presentation of the Secretary-General’s report on the threat posed by Da’esh. I also convey, on behalf of France, my most heartfelt condolences to all of our partners who have suffered from the terrorist attacks of the last two weeks. Nothing can justify the targeting of civilian populations and cowardly attacking innocent people, as occurred in Manchester, Baghdad, Kabul, Manila, London, and, yesterday, in Tehran  — to cite just the most recent examples. More than ever before, we must be completely committed to fighting terrorism and to curbing the barbarism of Da’esh. The President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, has strongly reaffirmed that this fight is a priority and has announced that France will step up its efforts in that area, in particular by establishing a coordination unit that would report directly to him. The Secretary-General’s report (S/2017/467) clearly points out that Da’esh has continued to suffer major defeats in Iraq and Syria, due in particular to the efforts of the international coalition. We must continue to fight Da’esh terrorists in their strongholds in Syria and Iraq and prevent them from extending their control over other areas in the Middle East, Libya and, importantly, the Sahel. In that regard, the start of the battle to retake Raqqa, which has led to the planning of attacks to be carried out in France and Europe, is a major issue and a top priority for my country. But above and beyond our military efforts, I would like to emphasize three areas in which we can and must do better. First of all, the fight against the financing of terrorism must remain a top priority, in line with resolution 2253 (2015). Although it cannot be denied that Da’esh is facing financial difficulties, we should not underestimate the ability of the group and its supporters to adapt and diversify their sources of income. We must therefore remain fully committed to drying up the sources of Da’esh financing. That will require specific and concerted efforts to monitor suspicious funds and transactions, reduce anonymity, limit the use of cash in the economy and strengthen cooperation among all institutions concerned. Secondly, the dynamic flows of foreign terrorist fighters must compel us to constantly adapt our legislation and systems. Apart from the need to continue to prevent radicalization and stop people from leaving, we must anticipate the risks posed by those who might return and by fighters who decide to remain in a third country. That would mean improving our detection tools, strengthening information-sharing and devising an appropriate response when fighters and their entourage seek to return to our countries. It is an extremely complex exercise because every situation is different. In the case of France in particular, there are many women and children to be taken into consideration. We must be able to respond to that challenge; we are working on to address it. Finally, we must continue and step up the fight against ideas. Since terrorists use digital technology to their advantage, we must also change the way we respond. Combating Da’esh via the Internet is a new element in our fight. We must therefore continue to have frank discussions with major Internet groups on ways to counter deadly Da’esh propaganda. Above and beyond the commitment from Governments, the effectiveness of our efforts also depends on the participation of civil society. The contradictions espoused by terrorist groups must be explained on the ground. To counter those who wish to destroy our way of life, freedom and democracy, let us all be resolute in our multi-pronged fight, while maintaining respect for our values and the law. That will show that the United Nations is also engaged in the fight against terrorism and Da’esh.

I would like to express appreciation to Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman for his briefing, which was based on the fifth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat (S/2017/467). We found the report very comprehensive and informative. ISIL has indeed been under continuous military pressure, facing several setbacks on the battlefield, but what remains of serious concern is the fact that the group continues to inspire a range of attacks outside of the conflict zone. Returnees and fighters who relocated from conflict zones to other regions now pose a considerable threat to international security. Let me say in parenthesis that that has been a major problem in our region for a very long time — long before it was drawn to the attention of the Security Council. With regard to East Africa, we already see ISIL cells in Somalia. The report acknowledges emerging ISIL affiliates operating in Puntland and in parts of southern Somalia. That certainly complicates the challenge of the terrorist threat posed by Al Qa’ida’s affiliate Al-Shabaab, which remains a major threat to the region and beyond, as the report has quite rightly noted. There are also interesting reports by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, which reinforce those findings and provide useful insights. ISIL has found a foothold in North Africa in reaction to the continuous pressure in Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic and has also become a source of concern in that region. As Under-Secretary-General Feltman stated, although ISIL in Libya has weakened after losing a significant portion of the territory it controlled, the threat persists in that country and the wider region. It is impossible to state that the trajectory is promising. The organization of Al Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb, the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara and factions of Al Qa’ida affiliates, such as Boko Haram and the number of terrorist attacks attributed to them show how ISIL is expanding in the wider region. Restoring peace and stability in Libya, Mali and the Lake Chad basin is indeed critical to denying ISIL safe haven. What complicates the challenge in West Africa and North Africa is the link between terrorist groups and organized criminal networks involved in trafficking, in particular of weapons and related material. That is why there should be renewed efforts to develop concrete regional and international cooperation to counter the threat posed by ISIL in those regions. Enhancing the capacity of countries of the Lake Chad basin region, will continue to be very significant in countering ISIL and its affiliates operating in the wider region. In that regard, we reiterate our appreciation to the efforts of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force in assisting countries of the region to develop a counter-terrorism strategy and enhance their counter-terrorism capacity. ISIL in Yemen continues to conduct deadly extensive multi-pronged attacks. ISIL in Afghanistan has also been trying to establish itself in a number of areas. The rise of ISIL groups in South East Asia has been of growing concern. The latest attack, in Tehran, which we condemn most vehemently, underscores the extent of the common danger that the world faces: terrorist-financing risks, the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters and returnees, terrorist exploitation of information and communication technologies and social media and the internet. They are the new frontiers, as the representative of France pointed out. Vulnerabilities in certain sectors, including non-profit organizations and money remitters, remain serious challenges. Such a huge challenge ought to compel the United Nations, Member States and regional, subregional and international organizations to forge meaningful cooperation, strengthen existing tools and develop new ones to address the rapidly evolving threat posed by ISIL and other terrorist organizations and their affiliates. One thing cannot be denied, namely, the world has yet to agree in a transparent manner on making the fight against terror a common top priority. We are not there yet. We should not kid ourselves on that point. Without a doubt, the case at hand is one of not putting one’s money where one’s mouth is. In that connection, on 22 June, Ethiopia, together with Italy, will organize an Arria Formula meeting on the theme “Preventing terrorism and violent extremism in the Horn of Africa — enhancing partnership for regional efforts”. We hope that the meeting will help enhance awareness about efforts being made in the prevention of, and the fight against, terrorism and violent extremism in the Horn of Africa and strengthen cooperation and collaboration among the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the United Nations and other partners. We look forward to the members’ active participation.

I would like to thank Under-Secretary-Genera Jeffrey Feltman for briefing us on the findings of the Secretary-General’s report (S/2017/467) on the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). We are pleased that the Secretary-General has resumed the practice of providing a comprehensive review of this terrorist organization’s presence throughout the world, which is important for a better understanding of an evolving threat posed by ISIL and its affiliates. I join others in noting encouraging signs that resolute international efforts have become detrimental for ISIL. It is continually losing ground in Iraq and Syria due to heightened military pressure. I want to commend the Iraqi security forces and the international counter-ISIL coalition for their efforts to bring the liberation of Mosul to a successful conclusion. The crackdown on the terrorist stronghold in Raqqa, Syria, is the next decisive step towards ensuring the waning of ISIL’s influence. Ongoing problems in generating revenue have forced ISIL to cut support to its affiliates, thereby downscaling their abilities to expand their presence and to carry out massive attacks. Their attempts to move funds abroad open up opportunities for the international community to further deplete its financial resources by intercepting couriers and money transfers. A decrease in the numbers of foreign terrorist fighters travelling to Iraq and Syria and a diminished capability by ISIL to control its fighters have become tendencies that limit its manpower. Many States have started to review their national counter-terrorism legislation, including their respective strategies, the mobilization of resources and the establishment of specialized counter-terrorism units. I would now also like to address a number of points of particular concern for us. On the evolution of the threat, recent terrorist attacks across the world reveal a new trend, that is, to inspire rather than send fighters to carry out impromptu attacks in their own countries on behalf of ISIL. Such attacks are extremely hard to prevent. It is known that ISIL has established online groups to recruit and indoctrinate, as well as to disseminate operational strategies through private channels. How can we counter such threats? First, we can eliminate drivers fuelling radicalization and by promoting social cohesion, which will allows States to greatly complicate terrorist tasks. Secondly, the development of counter-narratives will curb terrorist recruiters’ efficiency in attracting new followers. Thirdly, fostering close contacts with local communities will go a long way in helping to identify radicalized elements early and to take necessary actions in order to disrupt terrorist plots. With regard to terrorist financing, the Secretary- General’s report indicates that there has been a significant decrease in ISIL’s revenues from the illicit trade in hydrocarbons, largely due to military operations targeting related infrastructure. Yet the smuggling of natural resources continues and we lack information on the overall effectiveness of neighbouring countries’ efforts to arrest vendors and identify buyers who contribute to financing terrorist activities. We would appreciate it if the Secretary-General could expand on that issue in his next reports. As to returning foreign terrorist fighters, returnees undoubtedly pose a real threat, as they possess lethal skills and can put them to use with dire consequences. Therefore, there is a growing need to ensure a wider criminalization of foreign terrorist fighters and conduct an exchange of evidence of their crimes. Otherwise, they could be released and be free to travel. Another worrying fact is that some States deport foreign terrorist fighters to their countries of origin without informing the latter. Rapid information-sharing, especially of the biometric data of foreign terrorist fighters, as well as the effective use of respective Interpol databases, should become a priority if we are to stem the flows of such fighters. Their abuse of asylum systems also constitutes a major problem at a time when the huge waves of migrants arrive from conflict zones in order to find shelter. It is time to take a more thorough look at that very serious and, at the same time, human rights- sensitive issue. Recently, ISIL has suffered numerous setbacks and defeats on the battlefield. However, we are still far from completely eradicating ISIL. The terrorist organization has demonstrated its ability to regenerate and change shape, moving underground and resorting to asymmetric attacks when it is weakened. Therefore, the international community has to draw lessons from this and develop a viable “day after” strategy that will address and resolve the root causes that instigated ISIL’s creation in order to prevent its resurrection.

China thanks Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman for his briefing. China welcomes the Secretary-General’s report (S/2017/467) on the threat of the Isalmic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to international peace and security. Recently, Egypt, Afghanistan, the United Kingdom, France and Iran suffered terrorist attacks. The attacks caused enormous civilian casualties and significant property losses. Terrorism is a common enemy of humankind and its impact goes beyond borders. No country can respond to terrorism singlehandedly or insulate itself from the scourge. The international community should embrace the concept of a community bound by a common destiny, identify new trends and patterns in the evolution of terrorism, enhance cooperation and work collectively to respond to the threat. First, we must garner international consensus on the fight against terrorism. Terrorism represents a threat to humankind. The international community should uphold unified standards, adopt a zero-tolerance approach without any distinction. Regardless of a terrorist’s location, their pretexts, which country they are targeting or which tactics they use, terrorism must be fought with resolve. International counter-terrorism efforts must respect the sovereignty of the countries concerned, which bear the primary responsibility of fighting terrorism. Those efforts must also defer to the leading role of the United Nations and the Security Council and abide by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Terrorism shall not be associated with any specific ethnicity or religion. Secondly, we must eliminate breeding grounds of terrorism. At present the major terrorist elements and forces are entrenched in conflict zones, including Iraq and Syria, benefiting from regional turmoil, launching terrorist attacks in regions beyond conflict zones and threatening regional and international peace and security. The international community should address regional hotspots with a heightened sense of urgency, encourage the relevant parties to resolve regional conflicts through political processes and dialogue, maintain regional peace, stability and development, and eradicate the causes of terrorism at an early date. Thirdly, we must disrupt the terrorist transit network. With continuous progress being made in international counter-terrorism efforts, terrorist fighters are travelling to or returning to other countries in the relevant regions and beyond, seriously threatening the security of countries of destination, transit and origin. The countries concerned must enhance cooperation in the fields of border control and law enforcement, share information and intelligence, disrupt terrorist transit networks and respond collectively to the threat posed by returning terrorists. Fourthly, we must cut off the financing channels for terrorist activities. These are increasingly diversified and include the plundering of natural resources; narcotics and human trafficking; and the smuggling of cultural relics, with the funds raised being used for terrorist activities. The international community must take countermeasures and implement the relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 2199 (2015) and 2253 (2015); enhance financial regulations and enforcement cooperation; and crack down on all forms of financing by terrorist organizations. Fifthly, it is important to suppress the use of the Internet by terrorist organizations. Terrorist organizations are using the Internet and social media as a platform to spread their violent and extremist ideologies and to disseminate terrorist propaganda as well as engage in financing, recruitment and the incitement and planning of terrorist activities. All States must fully implement the relevant Security Council resolutions and enhance cyber legislation, enforcement and regulation. The United Nations should play a coordinating role in the international community’s efforts to carry out pragmatic cooperation and collectively crack down on the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes. China is an important member of the international force against terrorism. In recent years China has participated in meaningful ways in multilateral counter- terrorism mechanisms, including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Global Counterterrorism Forum. China will continue to participate and to promote multilateral and bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation, enhance the sharing of counter-terrorism intelligence, and provide counter- terrorism supplies and capacity-building to developing countries to the extent of our ability. China stands ready to work with all countries to respond collectively to the threat of terrorism and violent extremism and to maintain international peace and stability.

I should like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for his briefing. The fifth report of the Secretary-General on the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) (S/2017/467) covers many important aspects related to international counter-terrorism efforts. It includes specific proposals, but also reflects the existence of a number of gaps that should be focused on in future. We call on the Secretariat and the members of the Council to pay attention to them. Allow me to summarize these gaps through a number of queries and observations. First, paragraph 5 of the report notes that the flow of foreign terrorist fighters from many regions to Iraq and Syria has slowed and that the return and relocation of foreign terrorist fighters from conflict zones to other regions poses a threat to international security. We would like to have greater elaboration and more detail on these two points, in particular, how do foreign terrorist fighters still manage to reach Syria and Iraq? Which routes do they follow to get there, and how do they go from Syria and Iraq to other countries or regions? These are questions that should be answered. Secondly, in the context of the problem of foreign terrorist fighters, paragraph 48 mentions that transit States are facing a challenge as they cannot detain, prosecute or extradite suspected foreign terrorist fighters on their territory in the absence of sufficient legal grounds and admissible evidence, and that there is therefore a risk that foreign terrorist fighters stopped in transit States will remain free to travel to other places. The question here is, how can the Security Council address these security and legal gaps in its counter- terrorism efforts? We look forward to receiving specific proposals from the Secretary-General and the Secretariat as soon as possible. Thirdly, paragraph 6 of the report refers to the use by ISIL of the Internet and social media for terrorist purposes. There is also a general recommendation in paragraph 61 on the importance of effectively monitoring the exploitation by terrorists of information and communications technologies. In this respect, there should be specific recommendations to stem the flow of terrorists and stop the capacity of terrorists to recruit. Fourthly, the report also indicates that although ISIL’s financial situation has steadily declined over the past 16 months, it continues to rely on the same two revenue streams, in particular hydrocarbons and taxation. If ISIL is continuing to trade in hydrocarbons, who is consuming this oil? What are the means of moving oil from Syria and Iraq to the consumer or the buyer? We would also like information on the nature of financial transactions related to these activities. Fifthly, pursuant to Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 2161 (2014), 2199 (2015) and 2253 (2015), all Member States have an obligation to prevent terrorists from benefiting, directly or indirectly, from ransom payments or from political concessions. In that vein, it is everywhere in the news that Qatar paid up to $1 billion dollars to a terrorist group active in Iraq in order to obtain the release of members of its royal family who had been kidnapped and detained in Iraq by that group while they were on a hunting trip. If proved to be correct, that alleged violation of Security Council resolutions will definitely have a negative bearing on counter-terrorism efforts on the ground. It represents clear support for terrorists. We therefore would like to know the Secretariat’s view on the matter, namely, a Da’esh-linked group gaining access to such a sum of money at a time when efforts are being undertaken to liberate Mosul. We also want to know how the Security Council will respond to such flagrant violations of its resolutions. We propose that the Council launch a comprehensive investigation into the incident and other similar incidents. We look forward to incorporating the results of such investigations into the sixth report of the Secretary-General on the efforts to counter Da’esh. Finally, my delegation wishes to see greater accuracy in the use of terms and concepts that have been heard recently at the United Nations. One term that has not appeared in our documents is “Islamic extremism”. We hope that everyone realizes that there is no such thing as Islamic extremism. Islam is a religion that does not know extremism. There are individuals who use religion — the religion of Islam, or any other religion — as a cover for the terrorist ideology they wish to espouse. We therefore believe that the Council has taken a very important step in countering such ideology through the adoption of resolution 2354 (2017) and the Comprehensive International Framework to Counter Terrorist Narratives.

Joining previous speakers, I wish to offer Kazakhstan’s deepest condolences to the Government and the people of Iran for the horrific terrorist attack that took place in Tehran on 7 June. We extend our sympathies to the bereaved families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. I thank the Bolivian presidency for convening today’s briefing, and Secretary-General Guterres for his comprehensive report (S/2017/467) on the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh), Al-Qaida and their associates. I also wish to express appreciation to Under-Secretary-General Feltman for his insightful remarks. My delegation would like to make the following observations and recommendations. Terrorism today has become one of the main threats to international peace and security. While the military pressure in Syria and Iraq may have somewhat reduced the strength and numbers of militants in centralized locations and caused their financial revenues to diminish, ISIL/Da’esh and Al-Qaida have intensified their terrorist activities across the world. The most recent terrorist acts have been as widespread in Europe — Saint Petersburg, Stockholm, London — as in Africa, with the attack in Alexandria, in Asia, with the attacks in Kabul, Manila and Tehran, and in Oceania, with the attack in Melbourne. They have all caused unspeakable human suffering and resulted in appallingly high losses of life. Kazakhstan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We reiterate that all acts of terrorism — wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed — are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation. We therefore call for rigorous concerted action to control and prevent such brutal acts. We call for the breaking up of terrorist networks and the bringing to justice of the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of such violence. We are seeing members of terrorist groups relocating to the different parts of the world, including to the Sahel region, South-East Asia and Afghanistan. We are also seeing closer interaction and cooperation among terrorist groups with different ideological platforms. The recent tragic events show that, at an increasing rate, foreign terrorist fighters are going from hot spots to other States or returning to their homeland. More challenging are the perpetrators who, without ever leaving their home countries, have become self- radicalized as “lone wolves” or have made contact with terrorist facilitators and have copied scenarios they have found on the Internet. We fully support Secretary-General Guterres’ vision of giving priority to a preventive agenda and taking comprehensive measures at international, regional and national levels to prevent the dissemination of radical ideology and thereby effectively counter terrorism. We are convinced that the establishment of a single United Nations structure for countering terrorism will give a new impetus for a systematic approach and increase the effectiveness of United Nations activities in this area. In his policy address to the United Nations entitled “Kazakhstan’s Concept and Vision on Sustaining Global Partnerships for a Secure, Just and Prosperous World”, dated 10 January 2017, the President of Kazakhstan, His Excellency Mr. Nursultan A. Nazarbayev, underlined that countering terrorism is one of the priority axes of Kazakhstan’s membership in the Security Council. He called for unity among Member States and the establishment of a global anti-terrorist coalition under the auspices of the United Nations. Soon after the adoption of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in 2006, Central Asia was the first region to develop a joint plan of action for its implementation, which was a good model for cooperation and one that could be applied in other parts of the world. We have successfully completed phases I and II of our plan of action and are going to launch phase III at the High-level Dialogue on the Implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy for Central Asia, to be held on 13 June in Ashgabat. We are honoured to welcome the presence of Secretary- General Guterres at that event. As of today, Kazakhstan has donated $300,000 to support activities of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Centre in Central Asia, which is more than 10 per cent of the funding for the project. We are therefore both a sponsor of the Strategy and the leading donor country in the region. It is crucial to mobilize the United Nations and all stakeholders, including intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations, as well as international, regional and private banks, in consolidating, integrating and exchanging information on early-warning signals, financial intelligence, movements of terrorists and the financing of terrorism. Equally important is taking further comprehensive measures to shut down the channels of illegal transportation of hydrocarbons and the smuggling of artefacts and other valuables from Syria and Iraq. It is also crucially important to fully implement Security Council sanctions resolutions and regimes. To that end, inter-State cooperation is most essential. We appreciate the noble efforts of the United Nations system in that regard. Along with monitoring progress on resolution 2253 (2015), it is equally important to monitor progress in the implementation of related resolutions, namely, resolution 2341 (2017), on protecting critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks, resolution 2347 (2017), on the destruction and trafficking of cultural heritage by terrorist groups in situations of armed conflicts, and resolution 2354 (2017), on countering extremist narratives. We need to deter the increasing number of sympathizers of terrorism, who are lured by false propaganda utilizing sophisticated digital technologies and social media. The challenge is not only to achieve a true balance between the rights and duties of citizens, but to halt such influences. The use of military action alone will be ineffective. Through interpersonal interactions and online communication, new revised and inspiring messages must be presented to the younger generation. That calls for working with parliamentarians, religious leaders, educators, the private sector, civil society and the media. Much work has to be done in families, schools, communities and prisons, the latter being a fertile environment for radicalization. Partnering with deradicalized extremists, who after conversion can become powerful allies and agents of change, will improve public diplomacy. Kazakhstan is fully committed to being a most engaged partner in the multilateral action to combat terrorism through the effective implementation of resolution 2253 (2015).

At the outset, allow me to commend the Bolivian presidency for organizing this important meeting. I should also like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for his comprehensive briefing of the fifth report of the Secretary-General on the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) (S/2017/467). It appears that significant progress has been achieved in the struggle against ISIL, in particular in Iraq, Syria and Libya. That reflects the significant efforts undertaken by Member States to contain the terrorist threat with a view to ultimately stamping it out. Clearly, the contribution of the United Nations Secretariat to that progress has been decisive, thanks in particular to the efforts of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team aimed at bolstering international cooperation in counter-terrorism. However, as is underscored in the report, the challenges posed by international terrorism remain concerning. That was tragically underscored in the attacks that took place recently. The Senegalese delegation would therefore like to reaffirm its firm condemnation of the terrorist attacks that recently took place through the world, in particular in London, Kabul and Tehran. Those acts reveal the perpetrators’ enduring capacity to cause harm and only heighten our concerns with regard to the consequences of the use of international organized crime for the financing of terrorist activity. It also reflects the degree to which it is critical to implement resolution 2195 (2014) and 2347 (2017). The persistence of the challenge of international terrorism is a further reminder of the overriding need to redouble efforts to counter the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters, whose return poses a grave threat to international peace and security, especially in areas of conflict where the State is struggling to assert its authority. The persistent challenge of terrorism furthermore requires an urgent establishment of peace, security and stability within countries and regions in crises, which have become safe havens for terrorists. With regard to the African continent, the situation in Libya has been marked by a deadlock in the political process, which, more than ever before, remains troubling in the light of the threat being posed throughout the Sahelo-Saharan strip. The same applies to the Lake Chad basin, which remains unstable despite significant progress reported in combating Boko Haram. However, in Somalia, Al-Shabaab remains a major threat to peace and security throughout the Horn of Africa. All of that is to say that we must undertake even greater efforts in countering terrorism financing, in particular by seeking better cooperation with regard to financial intelligence in counter-terrorism strategies. In that regard, I welcome the cooperation of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team with Senegal, which has led to the holding, in Dakar in December 2016, of the second meeting of intelligence service directors of West Africa, Central Africa and North Africa with a view to strengthening their coordination. It is also critical to adopt reintegration strategies for former foreign terrorist fighters in order to put an end to the phenomenon of violent extremism, which is a real phenomenon and exists even in prisons. In that regard, the recent adoption by the Council of resolution 2354 (2017) is an important tool to stamp out extremist rhetoric and discourse and a decisive step forward in the right direction. Likewise, the joint briefing (see S/PV.7936) held last month by the Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004) is an important example of a synergy of action in a context punctuated by the pressing need to step up international cooperation to prevent and combat the possession of weapons of mass destruction by terrorist organizations, but also to ensure the protection of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks. In that regard, I would like to reiterate Senegal’s firm condemnation of the use of chemical weapons in Syria and recall the need to conduct the necessary investigations in order to ensure accountability for the perpetrators. In conclusion, I commend the ongoing commitment of States members of the Council to combat terrorism. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the firm determination of Senegal to remaining steadfastly engaged in this common cause.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of Plurinational State of Bolivia. Bolivia wishes to thank Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman for his briefing on the fifth report (S/2017/467) of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)/Da’esh to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat. As I was listening, I heard many of us remembering the areas that have been targets of terrorist attacks in recent months: Berlin, Istanbul, Kabul, Baghdad, Melbourne, Mogadishu, Saint Petersburg, Stockholm, Alexandria, Manchester, Paris, Manila, London and Tehran. Remembering the places in which hundreds of people have lost their lives and others have been injured reminds us of the fact that we are facing a global threat that requires a global response. The briefing by Under- Secretary-General Feltman, which showed that ISIL has suffered setbacks in many areas of conflict, was very timely. Bolivia is increasingly alarmed about the new ways in which ISIL/Da’esh is developing in terms of how it is carrying out its attacks and the countries in which it is doing so, above all with regard to financing. We must remember that ISIL/Da’esh has used its propaganda and information technology in order to attract sympathizers and to mount attacks in countries where it resides, focusing on methodologies to develop improvised explosive devices. The finances of Da’esh have been reduced somewhat, but they have compensated by imposing additional taxes over the populations it controls and via trafficking in smuggled antiquities and agricultural products, selling electricity, extracting minerals, “foreign donations” and kidnapping for ransom and human trafficking, in addition to selling hydrocarbons. We also condemn the destruction of, and trafficking in, cultural heritage — directly or indirectly — as well as, among others, the destruction of archeological sites, museums and libraries, which generates income for this terrorist group’s recruitment and strengthening. It is all the more worrying that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict has documented cases of “selling, gifting and trading” of women and children among fighters. We therefore urge Council members to join efforts to combat that human scourge. We welcome the fact that United Nations Member States and regional, subregional and international organizations are continuing to develop and strengthen new tools to improve the response to those rapidly evolving threats from ISIL/Da’esh and from foreign terrorist fighters. However, we believe that is not enough. We urge that States provide adequate humanitarian protection and assistance to refugees fleeing from conflict zones, including support in connection with the increase in migratory flows owing to the impact of ISIL/Da’esh in such areas. Finally, Bolivia supports the various initiatives put forward at this meeting, in particular those relating to cutting off financing for terrorism. In that connection, we highlight the fact that there is a need to focus on investigations into the use of financial safe havens for the funding of terrorism. In addition, we should take effective measures with regard to returning foreign terrorist fighters, as well as on countering terrorist propaganda. At the same time, however, we think it is crucial that we not forget some of the structural causes of terrorism and the evolution, in this instance, of ISIL/ Da’esh. Interventionist and regime-change policies are among the causes behind the wave of terror we are experiencing in many countries today. I now resume my functions as President of the Council.