S/PV.8496 Security Council

I wish to warmly welcome the Ministers from Estonia, Indonesia, Ireland, the Philippines, Romania, Slovenia, South Africa and Tajikistan, as well as the other representatives present in the Security Council Chamber. Their presence today underscores the importance of the subject matter under discussion. In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, the Central African Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Gabon, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Iraq, Ireland, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malaysia, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the Republic of North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, the Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, the Sudan, Switzerland, the Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Viet Nam to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism; Mr. Marshall Billingslea, President of the Financial Action Task Force; and Ms. Mercy Buku, an expert in anti-money-laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. Mr. Voronkov and Ms. Buku are joining today’s meeting via video tele-conference from Rome and Nairobi, respectively. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I also invite the following to participate in this meeting: Mr. Robert Mardini, Permanent Observer of the International Committee of the Red Cross to the United Nations; His Excellency Mr. João Pedro Vale de Almeida, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations; Mr. Emmanuel Roux, Special Representative of the International Criminal Police Organization to the United Nations; and Her Excellency Ms. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations. I propose that the Council invite the Permanent Observer of the Observer State of the Holy See to the United Nations to participate in the meeting, in accordance with the provisional rules of procedure and the previous practice in this regard. There being no objection, it is so decided. 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/2019/239, which contains the text of a letter dated 14 March 2019 from the Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General, transmitting a concept note on the item under consideration Members of the Council have before them document S/2019/268, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, the Central African Republic, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Djibouti, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, France, Gabon, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, the Republic of North Macedonia, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2462 (2019). I now give the floor to Mr. Voronkov. Mr. Voronkov: I am joining the members of the Security Council today from Rome, where I have just a signed a memorandum of understanding with Italy’s Guardia di Finanza, a major expert agency and capacity-building provider in the field of countering terrorist financing, to work together with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) on relevant activities around the world. Today’s resolution 2462 (2019) is further evidence of France’s leading role on strengthening international cooperation to counter the financing of terrorism. In that regard, I would like to recall the high-level International Conference on Combating the Financing of Da’esh and Al-Qaida, held in Paris last year on the theme “No money for terror” under the personal leadership of His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, where I represented the Secretary- General. As follow-up to the Paris Conference, this year Australia is leading the convening of the next international conference on countering the financing of terrorism. The adoption of resolution 2462 (2019) comes at a critical time. Recent terrorist attacks around the world demonstrate that financial flows continue to reach terrorist groups from both illegal and legal means. A concerted effort to redouble the world’s attention on stopping the financing of terrorism is therefore a vital topic. Several Security Council resolutions have focused on countering the financing of terrorism. But the resolution the Council just adopted helps consolidate the various requirements into a single document and expands the focus to key emerging issues, including innovative terrorist financing typologies. I would like to particularly welcome the role that the resolution assigns to the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism in identifying ways to suppress terrorist financing and helping countries develop the capacities to implement key priorities. We at UNOCT are ready and willing to play an enhanced role in supporting Member States in implementing the resolution. The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and its Centre for Counter-Terrorism have focused an important of their policy, coordination and capacity- building work on countering the financing of terrorism. We offer a coordination platform for inter-agency dialogue through our United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Coordination Compact Working Group on Countering the Financing of Terrorism. We have also provided practical support to Member States on understanding and implementing effective measures to suppress terrorist financing. I thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United States of America, Japan, Switzerland and, most recently, India and the State of Qatar for making contributions to the counter-terrorism financing projects implemented by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism. I would like to make three points on UNOCT’s priorities in the field of countering the financing of terrorism. First, we must expand our focus to include intelligence sharing, sectoral risk assessments and public-private partnerships to ensure that financial regulation is responsive, targeted, proportional and effective. Secondly, taking a cue from the resolution, we must look at countering the financing of terrorism as a comprehensive package comprising a variety of related topics. System-wide awareness-raising, inter-agency coordination, judicial reviews and the continuous commitment of human and technological resources are equally important. Human rights and humanitarian law should be upheld and protected. It is only through a comprehensive and multidimensional approach that national and international financial systems and institutions can be properly safeguarded from terrorist abuse. Thirdly, we must work more closely with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and FATF-style regional bodies on capacity-building assistance. I welcome the participation of the FATF in this forum. My Office remains committed to working with all our partners, particularly the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, to coordinate capacity-building support to interested Member States, which is in line with the Security Council’s guidance under resolution 2395 (2017). We will use our inter-agency coordination platforms to extend such alignment of assistance and needs with other key bodies, such as the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and INTERPOL. I would like to take this opportunity to call upon all Member States, and especially those actively engaged in today’s discussions, to make available national experts to United Nations programmes on countering the financing of terrorism so that beneficiary countries have an opportunity to learn good practices in this area. Significant financial support for more comprehensive packages of assistance is also necessary to increase Member States’ capacity to prevent and detect terrorism financing. Only through strong collaboration and targeted efforts can we achieve concrete results in our fight against terrorism and terrorist financing. My Office is ready to play its policy development and capacity- building roles in the broader international efforts to counter the financing of terrorism.

I thank Mr. Voronkov for his briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Billingslea. Mr. Billingslea: First, I thank France for its leadership on the critical issue of countering terrorist financing. As the Under-Secretary-General just mentioned, resolution 2462 (2019), which was just adopted, meaningfully advances the work of President Macron’s high-level International Conference on Combating the Financing of Da’esh and Al-Qaida, held in Paris last year on the theme “No money for terror”, in which you, Sir, played a key role. We look forward to this year’s follow-up conference in Australia, and thank you for inviting the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to speak at the adoption of resolution 2462 (2019). Terrorism remains a threat to international peace and security from which no region is immune. Terrorist groups, such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Al-Qaida and their affiliates continue to obtain funding from a wide range of sources; they use this funding to conduct terrorist attacks, but they also use it to maintain and grow their terrorist organizations as a whole. Combatting all these aspects of terrorist financing is top priority shared by the Security Council and the Financial Action Task Force. I am pleased that the resolution recognizes the FATF’s central role in setting global standards to combat money-laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing. The FATF was founded in 1989 by the Group of Seven to combat money-laundering by drug trafficking and organized crime networks, and we have since expanded our focus to counter both terrorist financing and the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). Now, more than 190 member jurisdictions of the FATF and the Global Network of Counter-Terrorism Centres have committed to implementing and being evaluated for compliance with those standards, which include specific requirements to give effect to Security Council resolutions, including the one just adopted, to counter the aforementioned threats. In this way, the FATF and the Security Council work hand in hand to strengthen Member States’ response to these critical threats to international peace and security. As the FATF moves towards its thirtieth anniversary in the coming days, we have focused our presidency on pressing for action on three crucial challenges. Specifically, we are prioritizing efforts, first, to address the illicit financing risks associated with virtual currencies and related assets; secondly, to take further action to strengthen international efforts to combat the financing of terrorism; and thirdly, to enhance our work in proliferation financing matters. I was particularly pleased to see that the resolution highlights the progress that the FATF has made on the first priority, welcoming the recent work to amend our standards and to adopt an interpretive note that clarifies how all nations must regulate and supervise activities and providers of virtual assets, and the importance of the effective prosecution of terrorist financing. Additionally, as the resolution conveys, it is critical for all States to recognize where they may be vulnerable to terrorist financing and then use that understanding to mitigate those risks properly. I appreciate the invaluable information that the Under-Secretary- General and his Office provide, as well as the reports of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh) Al-Qaida and associated individuals groups undertakings and entities. We also prepare confidential reports on ISIL and Al-Qaida funding sources and methods, as well as counter-measures that may be adopted. We work, through the mutual evaluation process, to ensure that all countries are accurately assessing their financing risks and adequately and effectively responding to those risks. We should all recognize that terrorist financing risks extend well beyond the banking and financial sectors. States need to identify all sectors — including those of non-financial services such as construction, commodities and pharmaceutical trafficking and others — that are being exploited for terrorist purposes. For example, the typology reports that our member nations compile reveal multiple different methods of terrorist financing that rely on disparate schemes of drug trafficking and even the used-car trade. Groups such as Hizbullah, the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia and Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb have all benefitted from intermingling funds from criminal and otherwise legal trade for the purpose of funding terrorist attacks. FATF reports also identify — and the resolution adopted today further amplifies — the use of kidnapping for ransom as a prominent and sometimes even primary source of terrorist revenue. The resolution rightly prompts all States to do their necessary part in breaking the vicious cycle and to prevent payments that fund terrorist operations associated with kidnapping, and further recognizes that payment of ransoms incentivizes additional crimes. States must not allow hostage-takers and terrorists to benefit from ransom payments. That is crucial, particularly as kidnapping for ransom has become the major funding source used by the remnants of Da’esh around the world. More broadly, States need to address the underlying contextual issues that create environments conducive to terrorism and terrorist financing. Corruption or weak and ineffective governance and a lack of respect for the rule of law are problems that lead to regional instability and render economies vulnerable to terrorist exploitation. The resolution also includes an important focus on the adequate criminalization and effective prosecution of terrorist financing. We must criminalize not only financing that is itself linked to a particular terrorist act, but also the provision of funds to terrorist groups or terrorists for any purpose, whether it be for their travel or their general operations. Under France’s leadership, the resolution brings United Nations obligations into line with FATF recommendation 5 and the FATF guidance on this matter. Through our assessments, we will continue to encourage more than 50 countries to pass new legislation to counter terrorist financing. More is urgently needed. Nearly two thirds of our FATF assessments around the world show that States are not effectively prosecuting terrorist financing. We are using the evaluation and follow-up process to strengthen prosecution efforts, and under my presidency of the FATF, we have driven capacity-building workshops, most recently in the State of Israel. I am pleased that all five permanent members of the Security Council, including some individuals present here today, participated in the workshop that took place last week. But I must underline that fewer than one fifth of the countries around the world that we have assessed to date are effectively applying the targeted financial sanctions and prosecutions that are necessary in line with the resolution just adopted. More is urgently needed by all States Members of the United Nations, and we in the FATF will continue to support the work done at the Security Council and to drive adoption of and adherence to FATF standards. Finally, in conclusion, we need to bolster inter-Agency coordination and information-sharing, much as the Under-Secretary-General has mentioned, both among and within States. States need to need to exchange more information among all relevant authorities, such as financial-intelligence units, law enforcement and intelligence services. We also need to work very closely with the private sector. New developments in public-private partnerships give significant benefits in terms of greater and faster access to information. Large banks often have access to significant amounts of data that can assist in countering these terror operations. Likewise, Governments need to provide relevant information to financial institutions in return. A number of FATF member nations, including my own, the United Kingdom and others, have put in place legal frameworks that foster the sharing of specific-threat information with and by financial institutions. We would encourage nations to consider additional ways that we can work closely with our financial sector. I congratulate the French Republic on its leadership on this matter, on the adoption of resolution 2462 (2019). This vital resolution prompts all nations to “up their game” in countering the terrorist-financing business. We will continue to use our assessment processes to reinforce the critical work that the Security Council is now undertaking.

I thank Mr. Billingslea for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Buku. Ms. Buku: It is indeed a great honour and privilege for me to be invited to address the Security Council today. Resolution 2462 (2019), adopted today, is a timely measure in the promotion of the fight against terrorism, terrorist financing and money-laundering. I am from Kenya, and Kenyans have experienced firsthand the terrible consequences of terrorism, with the most recent incident at a local hotel still fresh in our minds. However, it is important to recognize that the fight against terrorism and the channels for financing terrorism must proceed in an enabling regulatory environment that does not stifle financial-inclusion initiatives in the affected regions. Indeed, the FATF guidance paper on anti-money-laundering and terrorist- financing measures and financial inclusion, issued in June 2011, recognized financial inclusion as a key agenda item in the fight against terrorism and terrorist financing, and this will be the main focus of my briefing to the Council this morning. Financial services are foundational to addressing today’s pressing global issues of poverty, inequality and migration, and to enabling the achievements of a wide array of national development goals, which is evidenced by an expanding body of research. Numerous studies have demonstrated that bank accounts and payment services — and, in particular, access to them — have a measurable impact on poverty, more particularly as follows. They make day-to-day transactions possible, including the sending and receiving of money. They safeguard savings, which can help households better manage their cashflow and build working capital, which has also contributed to uplifting women in these countries. They help finance small businesses or micro-enterprises, assisting owners to invest in assets and grow their businesses. They enable planning and payments for recurring expenses such as school fees and access to electricity and water. They also mitigate shocks and manage expenses related to unexpected events, such as medical emergencies, death in the family, theft and natural disasters, including famine alleviation and refugee crises. They also improve the overall welfare of poor families. There is a direct link between financial inclusion and global development goals, including the eradication of poverty, promotion of prosperity and protection of the environment, as more particularly outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Globally, around 1.7 billion adults are currently “unbanked” and without access to safe, reliable and convenient financial services, either through an account at a financial institution or through a mobile money-provider. In 2014, that number was 2 billion. Because account ownership is nearly universal in high- income economies, virtually all unbanked adults live in developing economies, mainly in Africa and South- East Asia. These economies are also the ones suffering most from terrorism, especially Africa, which has been identified as being among the top three continents affected by terrorism, with the Horn of Africa and East Africa — where I come from — being identified as the region in sub-Saharan Africa most threatened by indigenous and international terrorism. Traditional providers of financial services are banks, microfinance institutions, credit unions and cooperatives. However, in developing economies, due to the lack of adequate traditional banking channels, new delivery channels have been at the forefront of financial inclusion, the most notable being mobile money-transfer and mobile-banking services. In this regard, the lack of access to financial services in these regions, combined with the increasingly widespread use of mobile phones, has given rise to a mobile-phone-based economy whereby mobile platforms are used as an alternative to traditional banking systems. Indeed, when M-Pesa was launched in Kenya in 2007, only 1 billion of the world’s 6.5 billion people had bank accounts, yet at least 3 billion had mobile phones. Today, mobile money-transfer services are arguably the single most effective contributor to global financial-inclusion initiatives, and, particularly in the developing countries, have facilitated access to cheap and reliable financial services to an ever- increasing formerly unbanked population segment. Recent innovations in mobile transfer services in various jurisdictions coupled with a favourable regulatory environments have heralded unprecedented success in financial-inclusion initiatives, which have morphed today into an entire digital financial-services ecosystem offering savings, insurance, both local and international money transfers, payments and credit services on mobile-money platforms to both individuals and corporate entities. Today, there are over 270 mobile-money-transfer systems globally, and 866 million mobile-money- accounts transacted $1.3 billion daily in 2018 alone, 45.6 per cent of which were in sub-Saharan Africa and 33.2 per cent in South Asia. As an example, if I forget my phone at home today, I have to go back home; otherwise, I will be severely financially handicapped. But if I forget my debit or credit card, I am not worried. That is the power of mobile money and digital financial services in those countries. Every good thing, however, must come with an element of risk, as aptly captured by the Paris Agenda adopted at the high-level International Conference on Combating the Financing of Da’esh and Al-Qaida, held in Paris on 25 and 26 April 2018, on the theme “No money for terror”, which recognizes that the products and services provided by innovative financial technologies may offer significant economic opportunities but also present a risk of being misused by criminals for money laundering and other criminal activity, including terrorist financing. Mobile money and other digital forms of payments will be attractive to criminals due to their speed of delivery and their anonymous nature. Other factors include porous borders and a lack of adequate identification regimes in some of the jurisdictions where these payment channels are in use. In addition, important users of such services are illiterate rural populations, for whom identity verification, know your customer and customer due diligence procedures may be difficult to carry out. The diversified product ranges offered through these payment channels, including cross-border and international remittances, can also be used by criminals for money laundering and terrorist financing. Criminals, including terrorists, will also use mobile networks as a primary means of communication to plan and coordinate terrorism and other criminal activities. It is therefore of critical importance that Governments in those jurisdictions put in place anti-money-laundering/ combating the financing of terrorism and financial regulations, which will facilitate financial inclusion initiatives while ensuring the integrity of the systems used to deliver such services so that they are not used for money laundering and financing terrorism. Such regulations will ensure that financial institutions and other non-bank-designated institutions have anti-money-laundering/combating the financing of terrorism programmes with appropriate controls that comply with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards and United Nations conventions on customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, sanction screening, record-keeping etc. In particular, we will also adopt the risk-based approach recommended in the guidelines note on new payment products and services issued by FATF in June 2013. Much has already been done in those jurisdictions to put in place relevant legislative and private-sector controls. However, more remains to be done and in that regard I wish to highlight the commitments made by the Paris Agenda to put in place measures such as the strengthening of information-sharing frameworks among the private sector, regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies, as well as to work with financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses or professions to ensure that they fulfil obligations under domestic anti-money-laundering/combating the financing of terrorism legislation. Such measures should also include capacity- building, training and infrastructural support. Resolution 2462 (2019) under debate today also affirms the importance of improving national frameworks and inter-agency coordination, cooperation with the private sector, international cooperation and the need to explore ways in which the United Nations can better support Member States in implementing those initiatives. Accordingly, I wish to conclude by noting that the need to balance financial inclusion with financial integrity cannot be overemphasized. As the Security Council debates resolution 2462 (2019), it is my hope that such debates will take cognizance of the need for member States to promote initiatives that will assist jurisdictions in financially excluded areas to put in place the necessary measures to combat the financing of terrorism and money laundering without stifling financial inclusion and hence to promote sustainable development in those countries.

I thank Ms. Buku for her statement. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France. I would like to thank the briefers for their very informative statements. The Charter of the United Nations, which entrusts the Council with the responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, has for many years driven it to devote regular attention to all aspects of the fight against terrorism. Indeed, it is the objective of a concerted, coherent and effective fight against terrorism that brings us together today to adopt resolution 2462 (2019) on the fight against new modalities for financing terrorism. For many years, we have been acting decisively in the face of the terrorist threat by confronting our enemies directly on the ground. I would like to pay a warm tribute here to those — first and foremost the Iraqi security forces and the Syrian democratic forces — who fought Da’esh and recovered from the so-called Caliphate all the territory it had conquered in 2014. They have defended and continue to defend our security and our model of collective existence. Yet the biggest mistake would be to believe that terrorism is defeated once its territorial claims have been destroyed. Al-Qaida and Da’esh, even if they are in retreat, have not disappeared. On the contrary, they are adapting. If we have driven them out of the territories in which they had settled, they are reorganizing themselves into clandestine networks. While we have prevented them from crossing borders, they are using cyberspace to remotely direct or inspire, at the very heart of our societies, the architects of their criminal projects. As Governments, our first responsibility is to ensure the safety of our fellow citizens. We are therefore obliged to persist in our fight against terrorism, while anticipating every shift in the threat we face and adapting our response accordingly. Our enemies seek to relocate in new territorial franchises — we will fight them. They wish to contaminate our youth with their deadly ideology — we will protect our societies. They wish to project fighters, publicize their ideas, transfer funds — we will isolate them. As I said a moment ago, we must deal with the root causes of the problem and intensify our efforts to isolate terrorists by drying up their sources of funding. Because, in this area too, our enemies have confirmed their formidable capacity to adapt. They have long been able to direct trafficking, banditry and even some conventional economic flows to their benefit. Today, driven out of their territories, they have learned to invest in the new virtual financial spaces, where they exploit the possibilities offered by new technologies. Terror networks know how to raise funds by opening online jackpot accounts. They do not hesitate to pervert the practice of hawala to transfer funds to the other side of the world. They are learning to transform their resources into cryptocurrency in order to acquire drones in cyberspace. The challenge is great. Our determination must be just as strong so that we do not leave out any aspect of the fight against financing terrorism. This is the ambition that led France to organize the high-level International Conference on Combating the Financing of Da’esh and Al-Qaida, held in Paris last year on the theme “No money for terror”, and to promote the adoption of an ambitious agenda and the formation of the Paris coalition against financing terrorism. That will also be Australia’s ambition, which will follow in the footsteps of France and bring together the Paris coalition in Melbourne in November 2019. In that regard, I warmly thank the representative of Australia. That is also the ambition that led us to bring the issue to the Council by proposing the adoption of a reference doctrine to guide the international community’s action in the fight against financing terrorism. The adoption of a Security Council resolution is a strong political act. We thank all our Security Council partners for their active contribution to the negotiations. However, the adoption of a resolution is not an end in itself. It is the beginning of the process of implementation, which must mobilize us just as much and in which we must demonstrate that we are equal to our responsibilities. In the face of the protean and constantly changing threat I described a few moments ago, we need to build the broadest possible partnership. Such a partnership, by involving all the actors concerned — States, the private sector, multilateral institutions and civil society — is the only one capable of providing an adequate response to the challenge. I would like to appeal to all members of this partnership to take up the resolution we have just adopted and commit themselves to implementing it in all its aspects. In particular, I call on States to fight, through their legal systems, against the individuals, groups and entities that finance terrorism; strengthen their cooperation and commitment to assist the countries that need help the most in this fight; and implement the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force, whose role in creating norms and standards in the fight against terrorist financing is recognized by the resolution. In that regard, I would like to thank its President, Marshall Billingslea, for being here with us this morning. I also call on the United Nations, in particular the Office of Counter-Terrorism and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, the work of which is so important, particularly in providing countries in need with the necessary technical assistance to develop their capacity to combat terrorist financing. I especially welcome the remarks made by Mr. Voronkov, Under- Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, and assure him of France’s full support. We further call on the private sector, whose involvement and participation in the fight against terrorist financing are more essential than ever. Lastly, I welcome the balance struck in the text between our objective of better combating the financing of terrorism and the ability of humanitarian actors to carry out their mission in proper conditions, without hindrance to their activities. I resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the other members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I would first like to commend you, Mr. President, for convening this important debate and congratulate all delegations on their excellent work in producing the important resolution 2462 (2019), which the Security Council has just adopted. I also wish to warmly thank Mr. Voronkov, Mr. Billingslea and Ms. Buku for their insightful briefings. The recent terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, was a reminder for us that no country is immune from terrorism. Indonesia once again condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of its origins or motivations. In the same vein, we also continue to strongly reject any attempt to link terrorist acts to any specific religion, nationality, people or civilization. Moreover, Indonesia is fully committed to fighting terrorism, including terrorist financing, not only because Indonesia has been a victim of terrorist attacks as well but also due to our deep concern that terrorism has been evolving in its modus operandi, which continuously poses imminent threats to our society. With that in mind, Indonesia would like to share three main standpoints. First, we need to close the implementation gap in international instruments related to preventing and combating the financing of terrorism. The resolution we adopted today, which Indonesia co-sponsored, has provided both great momentum and a significant push for us all to further enhance our common and concerted efforts in addressing the financing of terrorism. As such, we must reaffirm our commitment to existing international instruments, such as the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, relevant resolutions and the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force. Nevertheless, we are still witnessing a wide gap in implementation. It is therefore both imperative and crucial for us to ensure that all instruments are implemented effectively. Secondly, we need to strengthen our adaptive capabilities in responding to increasingly dynamic and complex challenges. There is a clear indication that terrorist financing is shifting towards high- tech cyberactivities, including sophisticated online transactions, which has made it even more difficult for authorities to detect and curb them. Given the nature of such challenges, we need to be not only decisive, consistent and firm in our policies, but also flexible in our strategies and innovative and practical in our approach. Nonetheless, States’ particularities in addressing the challenges of terrorist financing must also be taken into account and recognized. For the sake of effectivity, any measure, including capacity-building, must therefore correspond to the needs and interests of any particular State. We cannot afford to have an evil opponent, with its rapidly changing forms of operation, outpace our international cooperation. That brings me to my final point. The fight against terrorist financing must take place within the framework of strengthened international cooperation and coordination. We have no other option. Exchanging information and best practices; lending technical assistance and adequate resources for capacity- building; enhancing the capacity of financial intelligence units and law enforcement agencies; and bolstering coordination among relevant United Nations agencies, including close consultation and synergy with international financial institutions, are indeed vital. In that regard, Indonesia, together with Australia, Malaysia and Thailand, has since 2015 alternately hosted the Counter-Terrorism Financing Summit, which advocates for a regional risk assessment to analyse the threat, vulnerability and impact of the financing of terrorism in the Asia-Pacific region. At the domestic level, we adopt an annual national strategy to strengthen close coordination among relevant agencies, including the private sector, and ensure that our legal and institutional infrastructures are adequate to deal with the emerging methods of terrorist financing. In closing, we must adapt to changing technology and new methods of financing. We must be innovative in our approach, not only in tracing terrorist money but also in preventing the creation of terror money. We must not stop at finding their resources, but use all our financial resources to curtail terrorist activities.

I join others in thanking the briefers today for their very informative presentations and welcome Under-Secretary-General Voronkov, Mr. Billingslea and Ms. Buku to the Security Council this morning. As I said yesterday in this Chamber (see S/PV.8493), the United Kingdom welcomes the territorial defeat of Da’esh. However, as Da’esh transforms from a territorial entity into a covert network, it remains capable of directing or enabling attacks and perpetrating violent extremist ideologies. It is as important as ever that we work together collectively to deny them access to resources, just as we must tackle the phenomenon of far-right extremism and terrorism — an issue that my country has warned about for some years and has been acting against domestically. Again, we pay tribute to the victims of the Christchurch attacks. Across the globe and across a range of groups, we have seen that terrorists can perpetrate horrific attacks with small amounts of money, use new payment technologies and move funds through different channels, including legitimate enterprises. That is why the United Kingdom supported and co-sponsored the landmark resolution 2462 (2019), which we adopted just now, and we thank France for its leadership on that initiative, following the high-level International Conference on Combating the Financing of Da’esh and Al-Qaida, held in Paris last year on the theme “No money for terror”. The Security Council remains key to international efforts on counter-terrorism, which includes the financing of terrorist acts. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has the essential role of setting global standards for preventing and combating money-laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing. To that end, the United Kingdom strongly urges all States to implement the comprehensive international standards embodied in the revised 40 recommendations on combating money- laundering and the financing of terrorism proliferation and its interpretive notes. I particularly highlight Mr. Billingslea’s words on effective information-sharing, well beyond financial and banking sectors alone, and the vital importance of implementation and prosecution. In that regard, I thought Ms. Buku’s comments about the importance of balancing both financial inclusion and financial integrity were very well judged. The United Kingdom has taken a number of measures to strengthen efforts to counter the financing of terrorism. An important feature of our system is the strong public-private partnership on terrorist financing matters. We set up the Joint Money Laundering Intelligence Taskforce in 2015 to create an environment in which the financial sector, Government and law enforcement can exchange and analyse information and intelligence so as to better detect the movement of terrorist funds. Increasing collaboration between Government and the private sector is a key part of the United Kingdom’s protection. Allow me to share a case study that illustrates this. The London Bridge attack took place on 3 June 2017. The Financial Intelligence Unit of the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom initiated an immediate response, and the case was brought to the Taskforce within 12 hours of the attack. A few hours after that briefing, financial institutions were able to provide assistance to identify the payments for van hire and established other spending patterns, which allowed further investigative strategies to be identified. This assistance was crucial in allowing investigators to conclude early on that the attack involved only three attackers with no broader network. A robust legislative framework to give law- enforcement powers the tools they need to tackle the threats we face is the cornerstone of any effective terrorist finance regime. This was enhanced in the United Kingdom by the Criminal Finances Act, which adds to the ability of United Kingdom law enforcement to identify, investigate and disrupt terrorist finance activity and to work effectively with private-sector partners. The United Kingdom welcomed the Financial Action Task Force mutual evaluation visit of December 2018 and the positive report we received. As we strengthen our measures to counter terrorism and ensure that terrorist groups cannot exploit vulnerabilities in various sectors, we must also recognize the vital role played by humanitarian actors and the roles they play in meeting urgent needs under some of the most challenging circumstances. The United Kingdom welcomes the fact that we have addressed those issues for the first time in this Chapter VII counter-terrorism resolution. The effectiveness of counter-terrorism sanctions also depends on their implementation across the globe. The United Kingdom will continue to be an active and global supporter of counter-terrorism sanctions as a key tool to combat terrorism from Da’esh, Al-Qaida and their affiliates within the high legal evidence threshold set by our courts. Soon after the attacks of 11 September, the Council came together to adopt resolution 1373 (2001) and decided that Member States should prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts. Eighteen years later, we have seen a dramatically evolving terrorist landscape against an evolving financial and technological context. We know that prevention, rehabilitation and whole-of- society approaches are key to ensuring credible and sustainable responses. But while we have adapted our responses, so, too, have terrorist groups. We therefore commend France for this initiative and thank Council members for their constructive and proactive engagement throughout this process, demonstrating once again the strength of our collective resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We have today agreed an excellent resolution under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. We must not sit back and admire it; we now need to see effective implementation by all Member States. The Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate must support Member States in identifying how they can strengthen their own response, and the Office of Counter-Terrorism then needs to support Member States in filling the gaps identified. But above all, it requires all of us to stick to our task and to press for continuous improvement. Our task never stops.

Allow me at the outset, Mr. President, to warmly welcome your presence here today. I would also like to congratulate France for having taken the initiative of organizing this important debate. (spoke in English) I wish to thank Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov; the President of the Financial Action Task Force, Mr. Marshall Billingslea; and anti-money- laundering expert Ms. Mercy Buku for their valuable contribution to our discussion. Resolution 2462 (2019), which we have just adopted, sends a strong message to Member States reminding them of their existing obligations within the framework of countering the financing of terrorism and to give a political impetus to strengthening national policies in this area. Terrorists have adapted their methodologies, and it is time to review the tools at the disposal of Member States. In discussing measures to counter the financing of terrorism, we can distinguish four main objectives. The first is prevention. Sources of revenue for terrorists change continuously. They know how to move from perpetrating costly attacks to carrying out low- budget ones, which can have equally deadly impacts. When one source is cut off, they will pursue a different form of revenue generation. No matter which tools Member States choose to fight it, we cannot prevent terrorist financing without addressing the root causes that attract supporters. In order to counter extremist and terrorist threats, early action must be taken to respond to the first symptoms of radicalization in society. Achieving this goal can be ensured by a properly designed and efficient system of prevention measures that have an impact on the individuals and groups that are exposed to extremist ideologies. The second objective is timely detection. Countries should ensure that policymakers, financial intelligence units and law-enforcement authorities have effective mechanisms for cooperation in place. The strategic and operational analyses provided by financial intelligence units, along with information-sharing at the national and international levels, should be regarded as a priority. Poland considers the application of intelligence and investigative techniques as one of the crucial measures leading to the detection and disruption of terrorist undertakings. Joint efforts can lead to revealing red flags indicating potential misuse of the financial system. We call on States to apply a risk-based approach, as required by Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations. We find national risk assessments and, in the case of the European Union, supranational risk assessments to be a significant part of the global struggle to combat terrorist financing. Country-tailored risk assessments enable States to address vulnerabilities in the most comprehensive manner possible. The third issue is the traceability of suspicious transactions. Terrorists, whether acting alone or in organized groups, tend to apply techniques mirroring those used by money launderers in order to hide money and erase traces of their incriminating activities. All of these factors, combined with legal and regulatory loopholes or differences among States, adversely affect the tracing and curtailing of financial flows and make financing investigations more challenging. The response to the changing trends and new threats in terrorism financing will be better tailored when the competent authorities and the private sector cooperate and share information on a reciprocal basis and in compliance with international law. The most difficult task is to follow transactions in real time. Providing platforms for sharing expertise and exchanging experience on ways to detect sources of terrorist funding, methods of financing terrorism and the evolution of trends is of the utmost importance as well. The Polish intelligence unit works actively with the Counter ISIL Finance Group, operating as one of the working groups within the Global Coalition against Daesh. At our initiative, the second meeting of the Group in 2018 took place in Warsaw. The meeting was attended by high-level representatives of 32 Member States, the United Nations, FATF, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Last but not least are effective asset-freezing mechanisms. A critical element of the effectiveness of financial sanctions is timing. Once an individual or entity’s designation by the United Nations becomes a matter of public record, Member States should facilitate the process of circulating information to the actors involved in a timely manner. In the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism Act, adopted in July 2018, Poland introduced new provisions implementing the regulations of the Anti-Money Laundering Directive of the European Union, aimed at a more effective application of asset-freezing mechanisms. We should cooperate on improving the quality of data concerning entities on sanctions lists, ensuring efficient and effective information-exchange channels to verify potential hits with designations. We cannot turn a blind eye to the unintended consequences of sanctions, which can have an effect on humanitarian actions. That is why Member States, when designating and implementing measures to counter the financing of terrorism, should take into account their potential effect on the activities of non-governmental actors. Poland is convinced that the relevant Security Council resolutions and the standards of the Financial Action Task Force constitute a universal and tangible framework within which Member States should plan and build their measures in combating terrorism financing. Only by pooling our efforts and sharing knowledge can we make it work.

We welcome you, Mr. President, as you preside over this important meeting. We also welcome the adoption today of resolution 2462 (2019) . We commend your delegation’s efforts in facilitating its adoption, which will foster international cooperation in preventing and combating the financing of terrorism. I also thank the briefers Mr Voronkov, Mr. Billingslea and Ms. Buku for their important briefings. Over the past two decades, terrorist groups have developed advanced tools to ensure their continued ability to carry out terrorist activities, thereby posing a threat to international peace and security. Preventing and combating the financing of terrorism is therefore one of the most important pillars in countering the phenomenon of terrorism throughout the world. Terrorist groups finance their activities by different means, including transnational organized crime, ransom, arms and drug trafficking, the illicit trade in natural resources and extortion. That has called for decisive action by the organ entrusted with the maintenance of international peace and security through the adoption of many resolutions to strengthen prevention and combating of financing terrorism, the most important of which is resolution 1373 (2001), which has developed binding legal rules as international terms of reference underpinning the action of the Council in its adoption of new resolutions on preventing and countering terrorism. Those rules have compelled all Member States to take effective, as well as preventive, measures aimed at preventing and combating the financing of terrorist acts, while refraining from any tacit or direct support for entities and individuals involved in such terrorist acts. That also includes ending recruitment by terrorist groups and providing terrorists with weapons. The Council has continued to address this phenomenon through the adoption of resolutions 2253 (2015) and 2368 (2017), which have strengthened measures to prevent and combat the financing of terrorism and to tackle the financing of Da’esh at its roots. Those measures have also fostered the sanctions measures against Da’esh and Al-Qaida. We have made great strides towards reducing criminal activities of a terrorist nature. However, despite the success of the international community in that regard, the threat posed by terrorism and its destructive impact persists. The ways and means to which terrorist groups resort in order to finance their activities attest to that. We should therefore step up our efforts to strengthen international peace and security through the effective implementation of international resolutions, especially those that deal with preventing or combating the financing of terrorism. Today’s resolution 2462 (2019) also reflects the firm resolve of Member States to continue building on those past successes in order to pave the way towards defeating this heinous scourge from which millions of people have suffered. One of the most important factors helping us today in preventing and combating the financing of terrorism is international, regional and subregional cooperation in the following areas: exchanging information; refraining from inciting terrorist activities, controlling financial support for terrorist groups through the implementation of the measures contained in relevant Security Council resolutions, and training law-enforcement personnel. We also need to address the nexus linking crime and terrorism, focus on youth and education and conclude bilateral and multilateral conventions. We therefore value cooperation among the relevant United Nations agencies, Member States and regional organizations in capacity-building and the exchange of experiences. We look forward to further cooperation and urge all Member States to take additional measures to tackle the root causes of financing terrorism by implementing financial sanctions imposed by the Security Council. We should also raise awareness concerning the use of donations and information-sharing in connection with financial transactions in cooperation with banks and competent Government authorities with the aim of establishing financial investigation units and ratifying international protocols and conventions on counter-terrorism and transnational organized crime, including the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, while joining and implementing them as soon as possible. In that regard, we welcome the efforts of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to develop risk indicators related to the financing of terrorism. The State of Kuwait is aware of the threats posed by the financing of terrorism and is working to combat that scourge. We have therefore adopted a law to combat money-laundering through a number of precautionary measures, including the requirement that financial institutions report all suspicious transactions. We have also developed controls on the movement of cash, and established a financial intelligence unit to collect and analyse information about revenues suspected to be related to crimes. In 2017, the State of Kuwait chaired the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force to combat money-laundering and financing terrorism. This group is seeking to adopt and implement the 40 FATF recommendations and strives to encourage joint action to identify issues related to money-laundering and the financing of terrorism at the regional level, while exchanging expertise and developing solutions. In conclusion, we reiterate our condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of its motives. It is a criminal act that cannot be justified or linked to any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. Combating terrorism requires the mobilization of international efforts to address that criminal scourge by taking measures to ensure respect for human rights, the rule of law and good governance

First of all, I would like to thank our briefers, Under-Secretary-General Voronkov, Mr. Billingslea and Ms. Buku, for their insightful and informative briefings. Our efforts to combat the financing of terrorism need to be part of an all-encompassing and holistic approach. We need to fight the financing of terrorism with all the instruments at our disposal. I congratulate our friends from France on the adoption of today’s important resolution 2462 (2019) and commend the French leadership in bringing it to fruition. Germany is very proud to be a sponsor of this important resolution. Our fight against terrorism cannot be successful unless we effectively cut the financial bloodline that keeps the terrorist threat alive. Fighting terrorism is not only a matter of military force, effective police work and successful prevention and deradicalization; above all, it is a race for knowledge. We have to find the marks left by terrorists and trace their steps back to their homes. The money trail helps us to do that. But, of course, terrorists do their best to cover their tracks. Many of them avoid the official banking sector and instead use informal, more anonymous ways to transfer money in an increasingly sophisticated way, as we have learned once again from our briefers today. That is a serious threat to our security and those loopholes must be addressed. The resolution that we just adopted does exactly that. States are called on to keep a watchful eye on those informal systems, and Germany strongly supports that effort. Informal money transfers should be regulated, and we commend the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for its work in that field. Today’s debate also seeks to share good practices in countering the financing of terrorism. We are not starting from scratch. With the FATF, we can already rely on global standards agreed on by eminent specialists and experts in the field. Let me very briefly highlight some measures that we have taken in Germany and the European Union (EU). In the European Union, in addition to the implementation of Security Council sanctions, we fight terrorist financing with two autonomous sanctions regimes, one against terrorist groups in general and the other against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and Al-Qaida specifically. The EU is also constantly reviewing and improving its own internal regime with regard to anti-money-laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. In Germany, laws to that end have been tightened even further and organizations with ties to terrorist financing have been exposed and banned. Before concluding, I would like to address a few of the concerns that some humanitarian organizations have expressed during the discussions in recent weeks. Many of us have been receiving telephone calls from humanitarian organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and others. Those organizations fulfil a crucial role in many conflict regions by providing indispensable aid to those who are the hardest hit by violent conflict. For the most vulnerable, their work often makes the difference between life and death. Some of those organizations have voiced concern about the possible negative consequences of resolution 2462 (2019) for their work, and we feel that they deserve to be listened to closely. Without money one cannot provide humanitarian assistance to people in need. Financial transactions are needed to buy food and medicine. It is therefore paramount that we do not erect barriers to humanitarian assistance by restricting the access of humanitarian personnel to funds in conflict regions. We believe that the resolution that we adopted today strikes the necessary balance in a very convincing way, promoting effective counter-terrorism measures, on the one hand, and a safe space for principled humanitarian action, including with the necessary financial transactions, on the other. We know that every text can be interpreted, but I want to be absolutely clear. Today’s resolution must not be misused to criminalize impartial, neutral and independent humanitarian action. Rather, it reaffirms and reminds us of our obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, human rights law and refugee law. All the counter-terrorism measures that we have agreed on today must comply with those bodies of law. The resolution is absolutely clear on that issue. Safeguarding the necessary space for humanitarian action is therefore by no means a step backwards in our counter-terrorism efforts. On the contrary, it is a step forward in an approach that takes international law seriously.

We are grateful to the delegation of France, and to Mr. Le Drian personally, for organizing this meeting on combating the financing of terrorism. The Security Council has been actively working on this matter since the beginning of the year. Following the consideration of the current threats in the framework of the presentation of the Secretary-General’s eighth report (S/2019/103) on the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and the exchange on national practices at the Arria Formula meeting led by France, the Council made the right decision to take concrete action. We affirm our support for resolution 2462 (2019), adopted today, and call on all States to tackle its implementation responsibly. That difficult task will be possible only with the active support and coordination of the United Nations, making use of the unique expert capacity and effective mechanisms of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), as well as by involving non-State structures in combating the financing of terrorism. In that regard, we would like to thank Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Mr. Marshall Billingslea and Ms. Mercy Buku for their insightful contributions to the discussion. The examples of ISIL and Al-Qaida clearly demonstrate that the intensity level of terrorist activity depends directly on its funding levels. Adequate material resources enable terrorists to prepare and carry out attacks, attract new recruits and actively counter law-enforcement agencies. In order to expose terrorist financing channels quickly, it is essential to conduct a thorough risk assessment. At our suggestion, the issue of identifying ISIL’s new sources of support has become a priority for FATF. In June 2016, Russia initiated regular updates in analysing financial flows associated with ISIL. In accordance with today’s resolution, we urge States to actively participate in FATF’s efforts to disseminate the results of the analysis and draw practical conclusions from them. As the extensive network of terrorist syndicates in the Middle East is being liquidated, the facts of the various sources of support for terrorists in Syria and Iraq, including support from States, are coming to light. The scope of that improper conduct is extraordinarily broad, ranging from supplying so-called non-lethal assistance to concealing their companies’ cooperation with militants. Ultimately, States that apply double standards and politicize the counter-terrorism agenda themselves risk becoming targets of terrorists. They should think about that sooner. One might say that it has now become fashionable at the United Nations to talk about the prevention of terrorism and violent extremism. Some even naively believe that promoting so-called soft power instruments is enough to prevent terrorist attacks. However, it is not every criminal, by a long shot, who can be re-educated, rehabilitated and reintegrated. And it is even less acceptable to replace criminal justice with such efforts. Anyone who has been involved in terrorist activity, including its financing, should be held accountable. The Security Council has termed any dealings with terrorists a serious crime regardless of whether the money or other material resources are spent on organizing specific terrorist attacks or on extremists’ personal needs. Attempts to disregard obligations in that regard are in violation of resolutions 1373 (2001), 2178 (2014), 2199 (2015), 2253 (2015), 2368 (2017) and the one we have just adopted, as well as the FATF standards. We are grateful to the French delegation and to Council members who take a constructive approach for their support to Russia’s proposal to include in the resolution’s scope issues related to combating the supply of weapons to terrorists. Today the Security Council has significantly strengthened its toolkit in that area. We emphasize that the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons is a serious crime that must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The need to criminalize the full range of relevant acts is contained in paragraph 27 of the resolution. We call on the Counter- Terrorism Committee to pay close attention to that and to immediately start assessing States’ compliance. The same applies to the various measures of countering the illegal trade of small arms and light weapons within the framework of the Madrid Guiding Principles on foreign terrorist fighters. Of course, some countries will require assistance in implementing new measures for combating the financing of terrorists and preventing their access to weapons. We are ready to extend support in various areas to the efforts of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism in these priority areas and to give technical assistance to partners through regional platforms and bilaterally.

At the outset, I would like to thank Under- Secretary-General Voronkov, Mr. Billingslea and Ms. Buku for their briefings. Last week Belgium commemorated one of the most tragic attacks in our country’s history. On 22 March 2016, no fewer than 32 people died and 340 others were injured, some very seriously. As we remember the victims and their families, this anniversary reminds us how unjust and indiscriminate terrorist attacks are. The tragic attacks in two mosques in Christchurch on Friday, 15 March, show that no part of the world is immune to that phenomenon. We must remain vigilant and never let down our guard. In that context, resolution 2462 (2019), which the Security Council has just adopted, is essential. Belgium would like to express its deep appreciation to France for its initiative and its untiring efforts during the consultation process leading to the resolution’s adoption. Belgium attaches considerable importance to combating terrorist financing. There is already an important set of international conventions calling on States to combat the financing of terrorism, but the Council’s new resolution, adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, brings them together coherently and transparently. It also fills important gaps related to the rapid evolution of the electronic financing infrastructure. For Belgium, it is essential, first and foremost, to understand the nature of the problem. Terrorists abuse both legitimate and illegitimate means of raising funds and are constantly finding new ways to do so. Belgium is particularly concerned about the increasing use of trafficking in human beings, sexual exploitation and wildlife trafficking for terrorist purposes. In recent years, wildlife trafficking, which is a form of organized crime, has been particularly successful in generating considerable profits for terrorist organizations in Central Africa such as Boko Haram. In order to effectively combat this problem, it is crucial for States to develop a legal foundation for criminalizing terrorist financing, as well as effective financial intelligence services, in cooperation with the private sector and civil-society organizations. Those services must be able to share their information with competent authorities at both national and international levels, in a balanced manner and in a way that does not affect the fulfilment of States’ obligations under international human rights instruments. The Financial Action Task Force has done significant work by establishing international standards for the creation of legal, regulatory and operational measures to combat terrorist financing, and we welcome the fact that the new resolution asks Member States to implement those standards and recommendations. We would like to reiterate our view that no measures taken in the field of counter-terrorism should hinder the work of humanitarian organizations whose work is neutral and impartial. Not only are we convinced that that is the most effective approach for a successful counter-terrorism strategy since its harmful effects are limited, but we must also remember that we agreed on those fundamental principles almost 70 years ago when we adopted the Geneva Conventions, a legal framework that is as relevant today as it was then. While we understand that the reality on the ground is often very complex and that terrorist organizations can operate in war zones, we believe it is important to take into account the potentially harmful effects of our counter-terrorism policy on the work of humanitarian organizations. We therefore believe that mitigation measures should be taken to prevent the possible negative consequences of this policy, or at least reduce them to a minimum. Let us prioritize the implementation of this resolution.

My delegation thanks France and Minister Le Drian for organizing this open debate on preventing and combating the financing of terrorism and for its leadership on this important issue. We also welcome the participation of Vice-Minister Fachir of Indonesia. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the briefers, Mr. Voronkov, Mr. Billingslea and Ms. Buku, for their enlightening presentations, which help us better understand the changes in the global architecture for countering the financing of terrorism. Equatorial Guinea associates itself with the statement to be made by Ms. Fatima Kyari Mohammed this afternoon, on behalf of the African Union. Resolution 2462 (2019), which the Security Council just adopted unanimously, is a key tool in our efforts to eradicate terrorism, its financing and money-laundering. We see it as one of the ways of attacking the pillars of terrorism. The Republic of Equatorial Guinea strongly condemns terrorism. We firmly believe that terrorist acts are unjustifiable and constitute one of the most serious threats to peace and security in the world. As the Council has noted in resolution 1373 (2001), among others, preventing and combating the financing of terrorism is central to ensuring that the responses of the United Nations, regional and subregional organizations and States to terrorist threats are effective and efficient. In Central Africa, we are concerned about the spread of terrorism due to the presence of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Lord’s Resistance Army, among others; the potential transit of foreign terrorist fighters returning to their countries; and the growing collaboration between terrorist groups, transnational organized crime on land and at sea and armed groups. That expansion is facilitated by access to resources and funding, which increases the complexity of the fight against terrorism. Like other regions, Central Africa is vulnerable to money-laundering and terrorist financing. To address that vulnerability, the States of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) adopted regulations against money-laundering and terrorist financing in 2010. Those regulations are currently being revised to better align them with the requirements of Council resolution 1373 (2001) and other relevant resolutions. Equatorial Guinea is also a member of the Action Group against Money Laundering in Central Africa, which is a specialized body of CEMAC and an associate member of the Financial Action Task Force. At least 11 types of terrorist financing have been identified in the region and recommendations for their limitation and elimination have been proposed. Equatorial Guinea condemns the entire range of terrorist financing, including by means of the abusive use of non-profit organizations, new methods of payment and money-transfer companies, the illegal exploitation of natural resources, kidnappings and human trafficking, as well as the exploitation, sexual abuse and rape committed by those groups. Owing to the subregional threat, we have no doubt that national efforts to suppress and eradicate the sources of terrorist financing should be coordinated with regional and international efforts. In that regard, Equatorial Guinea has ratified the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. Following CEMAC regulations, Equatorial Guinea established the National Agency for Financial Investigation in 2007 and is investing in its effective operationalization so that it can prevent and control financial terrorism. We believe that it is important for Governments to cooperate with the private sector, civil society and other sectors, while maintaining full respect for State sovereignty and laws. At the same time, we reiterate that the most effective way to prevent terrorism, violent extremism and conflicts is through investment in sustainable development. Terrorism can be defeated only through a sustained and comprehensive approach involving the effective participation and cooperation of all States. That requires using all the necessary means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and, to the extent possible, international law, including applicable human rights law, refugee law and international humanitarian law standards. In that regard, we recognize the importance of the role of financial sanctions in disrupting terrorist activities. We therefore commend the work of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001), concerning counter-terrorism, and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities, and the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011), on the Taliban, and their respective analytical and monitoring teams. We also recognize the important work of the Office of Counter-Terrorism and others, such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, INTERPOL and the Financial Action Task Force for their support to States in training and technical assistance in the implementation of resolutions and other financial counter-measures. We encourage increased cooperation and coordination among the various United Nations entities in that regard, as well as their support to regional and subregional bodies, such as the African Union and CEMAC. In conclusion, we reiterate that all States must be united in the fight against terrorism in all its forms. Equatorial Guinea reiterates its full commitment to cooperate in that crucial work.

We are pleased to congratulate the French Republic for the important work it has been doing in the fight against terrorism financing and for organizing this interesting debate where, without a doubt, we have enriched ourselves with the information shared. We are also grateful for the time taken by Mr. Voronkov, Mr. Billingslea and Ms. Buku to enhance this debate with their knowledge. The Dominican Republic reaffirms its commitment to combating all terrorist and terrorist-related activities. In that regard, we applaud the efforts of all the delegations of the member countries of the Security Council, in particular the French delegation, which, through their tireless work and after long hours of negotiations, have succeeded in adopting today resolution 2462 (2019), which is yet another tool for combating terrorist financing activities. Security Council resolutions have laid a solid normative foundation that will serve as a frame of reference for the national legislation of the various States and strengthen the national legal framework established to criminalize and punish terrorist activities. For that reason, the Dominican Republic is pleased to be a co-sponsor of the resolution that we have adopted today. The Dominican State understands the vulnerability of economic sectors to the financing of terrorism or terrorism-related activities. That is why we are working on an action plan to prevent and combat the financing of terrorism, as part of the strategic plan of the National Committee against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing. In order to develop better communication and cooperation between Dominican authorities and the private sector, my country recognizes the importance of investigating and identifying the areas that should have priority in that bisectoral relationship in the fight against terrorist financing. In that regard, the Dominican State, since the enactment of Law 155-17 against money laundering and terrorist financing, has identified the importance of training the private sector on the scope of that law and has held frequent seminars on its application and implementation. The Dominican Republic stresses how important it is for States to work internally to implement the standards established in the text adopted today. That is essential if the resolution is to be an effective tool in the fight against terrorist financing. Finally, we call on the Member States to take account the relevance of the work carried out by non-profit and non-governmental organizations. We must always work together to find a formula that ensures that the implementation of measures to prevent and suppress terrorism financing does not end up negatively affecting to the point of cancelling out the excellent work that those organizations do.

My delegation welcomes this debate on one of the most worrisome issues of today — the prevention and fight against the financing of terrorism. I would like to congratulate all the excellent speakers we have heard so far on the quality of their statements. At the outset, I would like to underscore that Côte d’Ivoire associates itself with the statement to be made by Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the Africa Union to the United Nations. In view of the interest and importance that your country, Madam President, attaches to this important issue, my delegation welcomes the adoption by consensus of resolution 2462 (2019), which comes at a time when the constantly changing threat of terrorism is at the heart of our concerns. Today, despite the remarkable progress we have made, humankind is still unfortunately under the constant threat of this phenomenon, which is continuously evolving and creating new challenges for our world. By taking advantage of loopholes in financial regimes and current regulations and exploiting informal channels and technological innovations, terrorist groups continue to have access to significant resources to finance their destabilizing activities. The African continent has not escaped that global scourge; indeed, it has been ravaged by it. Various studies have shown that terrorism in Africa is fuelled by trafficking of all kinds, owing to the weakness of States and the high level of poverty. Those sources of funding are essential to the activities of such groups, which sometimes even abandon their traditional donors and become actors in the production of wealth and capital accumulation. It is therefore essential that the international community tackle the root of the problem by drying up all sources of terrorist financing. The magnitude of the threat requires a collective assessment of our current control strategies and normative frameworks in order to provide a more appropriate and better coordinated response that will eliminate any gaps or dysfunctions that could be exploited by terrorists. In our view, that approach involves measures at the international, regional and national levels. At the international level, combating the financing of terrorism is a global security priority that requires mobilizing all stakeholders, harmonizing legal frameworks and pooling resources. In that context, the United Nations has a leading role to play in promoting the values of multilateralism and international cooperation. In that regard, better synergy among United Nations entities is essential, along with improving their cooperation with States and with regional and subregional organizations. My country would like to take this opportunity to once again commend the high-level International Conference on Combating the Financing of Da’esh and Al-Qaida, held in Paris on 25 and 26 April 2018 on the theme “No money for terror”, and to reaffirm its support for the conference’s outcomes. In the face of a threat that knows no bounds, and in a spirit of complementarity and solidarity, countries should also promote multifaceted cooperation, particularly in the justice, police and financial sectors. As the sharing of information and best practices is a key strategic element in this fight, particular attention should be paid to establishing formal cooperation mechanisms between the customs services of various countries and increasing border surveillance. At the regional level, the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa constitutes a major response and a contribution by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to fighting money-laundering. That specialized agency works with States, Governments and financial institutions operating in ECOWAS countries to strengthen their capacity to combat money-laundering and the financing of terrorism. ECOWAS’s support has enabled member States to adopt legislation to combat the financing of terrorism, establish corresponding institutional frameworks and strengthen cooperation among their national services and international partners. At the national level, my delegation is of the view that it is incumbent on States to strengthen their legal tools for countering terrorism, especially by criminalizing terrorism financing and fully implementing United Nations sanctions. With that in mind, beginning in 2015, Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly enacted a terrorism suppression law that criminalizes a number of actual terrorist acts as well as related offences, including recruitment, association, incitement and provocation to commit terrorist acts. In 2018, we strengthened our counter-terrorism system by criminalizing the provision or collection of funds for financing terrorism-related objectives and the organization on our national territory of travel by persons to another State in order to enable them to participate in the commission, organization or preparation of terrorist acts, provide or receive terrorism training or participate in other activities that facilitate terrorist acts, including recruitment, in accordance with resolution 2253 (2015). As part of its strategy for combating terrorism financing, in November 2016 Côte d’Ivoire enacted a law on combating money-laundering and terrorism financing, in accordance with the relevant directive of the West African Economic and Monetary Union. With the support of the World Bank, we plan to conduct a national money-laundering and terrorism- financing risk assessment, in line with the obligations of the West African Economic and Monetary Union. Côte d’Ivoire has also signed and ratified the main regional and international legal instruments on combating terrorism. In addition, we have begun the process of drafting the provisions of a uniform national assets-freeze law and have already adopted a law on the freezing of funds in accordance with resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1267 (1999). We have also provided for the establishment of an administrative freeze advisory committee by decree. Under article 5 of our law No. 2016-992, non-profit organizations are now subject to anti-money-laundering and terrorism- financing obligations. Following the tragic terrorist attack in March 2016 in the coastal city of Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire strengthened its anti-terrorism measures, taking steps to increase its vigilance in order to prevent further terrorist attacks by stepping up intelligence; improving the operational capabilities of counter-terrorism units by strengthening material resources, training and international cooperation; and raising public awareness on what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. In addition, our national financial information processing unit, created in 2006, is fully operational. We have also strengthened identification procedures for mobile telephone operators. Lastly, in partnership with France, Côte d’Ivoire launched the International Counter- Terrorism Academy, with a ceremony attended by Minister Le Drian, on 18 October 2018 in Jacqueville, 30 kilometres outside Abidjan. In conclusion, Côte d’Ivoire is of the view that preventing and combating the financing of terrorism requires mobilization and collective efforts at all levels in order to make better use of the tools at our disposal and to implement new measures. We are ready to play our full part in that regard.

We thank France for its initiative in convening today’s open debate on an issue as important as the financing of terrorism. Today’s consensus adoption of resolution 2462 (2019), submitted by France, gives the fight against terrorism renewed political impetus by addressing its sources of financing, while endorsing the various elements of the outcome of the high-level International Conference on Combating the Financing of Da’esh and Al-Qaida, held in Paris in April 2018 on the theme “No money for terror”. We also thank Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, Mr. Marshall Billingslea, President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and Ms. Mercy Buku, expert in anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, for their informative briefings. Peru believes that combating the financing of terrorism is not only an international obligation but also a strategic option for States to prevent, limit and impede the capacity of terrorist groups to plan and carry out their actions. In that regard, we want to highlight the fact that today’s resolution addresses traditional and new forms of terrorism financing, particularly its conduct through financial institutions, the abuse of legitimate businesses and non-profit organizations, including shell corporations and organizations, and the use of virtual payment methods and other financial technologies. We also want to stress that the resolution is concerned about terrorists who benefit from organized crime and that it recognizes that the nature and scope of these links may vary according to the context, emphasizing the importance of coordinating efforts to address this new challenge. But while terrorist groups do link up with criminal groups to obtain funding, there are also broader and more complex dynamics of cooperation between the two. In that regard, we believe it vital to continue examining the question of the nexus between those phenomena. Faced with that constantly evolving scenario, the resolution’s emphasis on strengthening inter-agency coordination is very relevant, especially with regard to the need to intensify and accelerate information- and intelligence-sharing, in line with FATF recommendations. For that reason, we also believe that the work conducted by financial intelligence units is essential, and we want to highlight the resolution’s call for strengthening their capacities, which we have also proposed within the framework of the Financial Action Task Force of Latin America, currently chaired by Peru. In that regard, I would like to highlight the need for greater support from the international community so that we can strengthen our national capacities. Similarly, international cooperation is essential to effectively combating this scourge. I want to underscore the significant role played in that regard by the Counter- Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate. Peru also makes available its experience in the fight against terrorism. Our country is committed to the fight against terrorism financing, and recognizes that States must consider the potential effects of the actions that they take in that regard on humanitarian assistance efforts. I conclude by reiterating our firmest rejection of terrorism and renewing our solidarity with the victims of such heinous acts. Bearing in mind the competencies of each multilateral body, Peru will continue to support any action that contributes to a comprehensive and objective response to this scourge that is in accord with international law.

We thank France for raising this issue in the Security Council and for its efforts to generate the groundbreaking counter-terrorism financing resolution we adopted this morning (resolution 2642 (2019)). We also thank our briefers today. The Security Council has been instrumental in building a global framework for Member States to counter the financing of terrorism, beginning with the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001), which we drafted after 11 September 2001, which provides the foundation for our global counter-terrorism financing efforts. The Council has come a long way to tackle the financing of terrorist groups, including by adapting our robust sanctions regime against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) and Al-Qaida pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) to the evolving threat we face and adopting important resolutions, such as resolutions 2199 (2015), 2253 (2015) and 2368 (2017), which target the use of oil and antiquities by ISIS to raise funds as well as other illicit activities. The comprehensive resolution adopted today is an important step forward in adapting United Nations tools to address today’s counter-terrorism financing threat. As we heard from the President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), United States Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Billingslea, the resolution brings the obligations of Member States under Security Council resolutions further into line with the FATF standard on criminalizing terrorism financing. Specifically, the resolution obligates Member States to criminalize terrorism financing even in the absence of a link to a specific terrorist act, so that States are equipped to stymie the general operations of terrorist groups and individual terrorists. This new and very important global obligation will help ensure that Member States have the frameworks in place to utilize effectively an important counter-terrorism financing tool, the prosecution of those who knowingly finance and otherwise support terrorist groups. The Security Council is clear in its intent when creating this obligation. As we have reaffirmed many times before, Member States must implement resolution 2462 (2019) in a manner consistent with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, international human rights law and international refugee law. The United States supports the essential work of humanitarian actors and relief agencies that provide life-saving assistance to those suffering through conflict. We are the single-largest humanitarian donor worldwide and urge Member States to coordinate and strengthen risk-mitigation efforts, so that those in need can receive aid and so that the terrorists who cause their suffering do not benefit from such assistance. The resolution adopted today also underscores the critical need for the full and effective implementation of all targeted financial sanctions flowing from the United Nations sanctions regime against ISIS and Al-Qaida pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), as well as from the domestic sanctions regime of each Member State pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001), so as to fully disrupt terrorism financing. The United States employs a comprehensive approach to counter terrorism financing. We use financial sanctions, other financial measures and law-enforcement action to cut off terrorists from their sources of revenue and from the international financial system, which involves close coordination and information-sharing with our inter-agency and international partners. It also involves strong collaboration with the private-sector, non-profit and civil society groups to share and receive information on terrorist-financing threats. We must disrupt the financing of groups like Hizbullah that export violence and instability across the Middle East and have a long history of destabilizing activity that continues to threaten global peace and security. Hizbullah, which continues to fight wars on two fronts, in Syria and Yemen, uses an increasingly sophisticated array of tools and international networks of companies and brokers, including seemingly legitimate businesses, in the construction and pharmaceutical sectors, for example, to generate revenue, conceal the procurement of weapons and circumvent controls to disrupt money- laundering and terrorism financing. Social networks and tools cannot be tackled in isolation, or in any one corner of the globe. We cannot let proven terrorist groups such as Hizbullah continue to stay one step ahead of our international monitoring and counter-terrorism financing efforts. All of us must recognize Hizbullah and other such groups for what they are: a global threat to peace and security. The terrorist-financing threat that Hizbullah, ISIS and Al-Qaida pose requires employing the full range of tools highlighted in today’s resolution. We enhance the impact of our individual efforts to counter terrorism financing by working with key international partners. For example, the United States, together with its fellow co-Chair, Saudi Arabia, established the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center, in Riyadh, to facilitate coordinated disruptive actions, information-sharing and capacity-building to target terrorist-financing networks and activities of mutual concern that pose national security threats to the United States and the Gulf. Together, we are countering evolving terrorist-financing networks, including those supporting ISIS, Al-Qaida, Hizbullah and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Since the Center’s inception, in May 2017, we have implemented three rounds of multilateral designations, sanctioning 36 individuals and entities. We also work multilaterally through the FATF, the global standard-setting body that promotes the effective implementation of its standards through a rigorous peer assessment and follow-up process, to ensure States are taking action to combat terrorism financing, money-laundering and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In conclusion, we must continue to bring all of our tools to bear on combating terrorism financing around the world. Our collective efforts have had a tremendous impact thus far and, while there is much more work to do, today’s unanimous vote reinforces the Council’s resolve to suppress the financing of terrorism worldwide.

China supports the convening of today’s open debate on preventing and combating the financing of terrorism. China welcomes Foreign Minister Le Drian to New York to preside over the meeting. China supports the adoption of resolution 2642 (2019), on preventing and combating the financing of terrorism. We appreciate the efforts of France. I would also like to thank Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and President Billingslea for their briefings. We also thank Ms. Buku for her briefing. Preventing and combating the financing of terrorism is an important part of responding to the threat of terrorism and conducting international counter- terrorism cooperation. Terrorism is the common enemy of humankind. The future of all countries is a shared one, and no country remain immune from the scourge of terrorism. In order to completely eliminate terrorism financing in the international financial system, we must enhance our awareness of a community of a shared future for humankind, commit to deepening international cooperation and effectively implement the relevant Security Council and other United Nations resolutions throughout the world and follow the technical standards, such as those recommended by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). China supports the international community in strengthening the fight against international terrorism in the light of the trends and characteristics of terrorism financing, and we would like to propose the following. First, we must strictly abide by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and maximize the central role of the United Nations and the Security Council. The international fight against terrorism includes preventing and combating the financing of terrorism, and in that fight we must follow international law and the norms governing international relations and comply with the United Nations Charter and Council resolutions. Secondly, we need multiple measures and integrated policies to address symptoms and root causes. Eliminating financing for terrorism requires the coordination and cooperation of political, security, economic, financial, intelligence, science and technology, and various other sectors. Special commitments should be made to eradicate the sources of, and breeding grounds for, terrorism. Efforts should be made to assist Member States in poverty reduction and alleviation and the realization of sustainable development, and to encourage dialogue on an equal footing and peace and harmony among different civilizations and religions. Thirdly, we must make advances in practical cooperation in combating the financing of terrorism and vigorously strengthen the capacity-building of Member States. The fight against terrorism financing involves many sectors and complicated issues of a tactical nature. Developing countries face the daunting challenge of a lack of capacity in financial regulation and lack of resources. In order to prevent the shortcomings of any given country from resulting in an influx of external risks and thereby forming a gap, and to prevent any place from becoming a safe haven for terrorist financing, the international community should vigorously strengthen its provision of technical and capacity-building assistance to Member States, in a joint effort to respond to the threat of the financing of terrorism. Fourthly, standards should be unified in order to resolutely combat all forms of terrorism and its financing. Terrorism and its financing must be steadfastly fought against, no matter the location, pretext or target country. The international community and Member States should reach consensus and develop synergies to effectively respond to all sources, ways and channels of terrorist financing. Special attention should be given to regulating the Internet, so as to cut off terrorist organizations’ use for their proliferation and cyberfinancing. China attaches great importance to preventing and combating the financing of terrorism, with enhanced regulatory mechanisms to combat money-laundering, financing for terrorism and tax evasion as important ways to participate in global governance and further open up our financial services. China has been deeply involved in the work of the FATF and the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG). On 21 February, the plenary meeting of the FATF reviewed and approved China’s fourth assessment report, thereby fully recognizing the sound basis of China’s role in countering the financing of terrorism, as well as the favourable progress it has made in its work. In 2018, China, in its capacity as the rotating chairmanship of the EAG, hoste its first forum on advancing international and domestic cooperation among Governments and financial and academic institutions. Given the still grave situation in countering the financing of terrorism and with a more stringent international standard, China will further explore launching a regulatory mechanism to counter terrorist financing based on financial intelligence, the monitoring of funding and shared data — a system that will meet the needs of national Governments. At the same time, China will actively participate in international cooperation, provide capacity-building assistance to developing countries within our ability and work together with all other countries in jointly eliminating the financing of terrorism, combating terrorism and maintaining world peace and tranquillity.

I now give the floor to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans of South Africa.

We welcome the presence at this meeting of the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. We also commend France for its efforts in developing the comprehensive resolution 2462 (2019), on preventing and combating the financing of terrorism, which the Security Council adopted at the beginning of this open debate. We also thank the following speakers for their informative remarks: Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under- Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism; Mr. Marshall Billingslea, President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF); and Ms. Mercy Buku, expert in anti-money-laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. South Africa is pleased that the Security Council is today discussing ways to effectively prevent and counter the financing of terrorism with the broader membership of the United Nations. South Africa aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations. We recognize with great concern that the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism is spreading across all corners of the globe, with devastating impact. I would like to reiterate South Africa’s unequivocal condemnation of all acts of terrorism, whatever form, for whatever reason and wherever they may occur. Indiscriminate attacks against civilians can never be justified under any circumstances. We again extend our condolences to the people of New Zealand for the horrendous attack that took place earlier this month in Christchurch and express our solidarity with all victims of terrorism. As we have witnessed time and time again, the scourge of terrorism knows no boundaries and continues to evolve, despite concerted efforts by the international community to counter it. No country or continent can claim itself free from that threat. While terrorist groups may have suffered military and financial setbacks, they remain resilient and retain an ability, through various means, to carry out attacks and generate funds in support of their activities. Against that background, we welcome France’s initiative on addressing the financing of terrorism, as well as other related efforts on strengthening international cooperation in halting the flow of funds to terrorist groups. As a country from a continent affected by terrorism, we recognize the importance of halting the means of financing that sustain terrorist organizations and the horrific violence that they commit, including against our peacekeepers. We know fully well that, unchecked, that threat has the potential to derail our collective efforts to bring about peace, security and sustainable development on the continent. We have witnessed the devastation on infrastructure and the displacement of people as a result of terrorist acts. Our continent of 55 countries — a rich tapestry of different peoples, histories, languages, cultures and legal and financial systems — is nevertheless guided by a common commitment, under the leadership of the African Union, to take measures to counter terrorism and the destruction it causes. In that regard, the African Union, over the course of its existence, has developed a wide-ranging policy framework, legal instruments and programmes to deal with that threat, including its financing. Our efforts to fight terrorism and its financing in South Africa are guided by those measures, commensurate with the country’s exposure to terrorist financing activities, and its obligations as both a State Member of the United Nations and member of the Financial Action Task Force. In that regard, South Africa is engaged in the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, as well as the Financial Action Task Force global standards on countering the financing of terrorism. Those measures are supported by South Africa’s legislative framework and its national counter-terrorism strategy, and are implemented and achieved with the assistance of our Financial Intelligence Centre and other relevant Government structures. The sharing of information and coordination at the domestic level and private-public partnerships are important components of addressing the threat. In addition, together with our global counterparts, South Africa is engaged in regional efforts to develop the relevant counter-terrorism financing legislative and regulatory frameworks. We are finding strategies to detect, deter and disrupt terrorist financing and militate against the inherent risks and vulnerabilities, which could be exploited for the purposes of raising, moving, storing and using funds in support of terrorism and terrorist activities anywhere in the world. Those efforts include dedicated technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives that South Africa shares with its neighbours. In a world where terrorist organizations utilize sophisticated, high-technology means to move funds around various regions of the world, we are pleased that the resolution that we have just adopted provides an equally sophisticated response to this challenge. It is important that the fight against terrorism continue to be led by the United Nations as the most appropriate, representative structure for coordinating our actions against this global challenge. It is imperative that our joint response to the challenge of terrorism internationally give due weight to the need to address those conditions that influence vulnerable people, particularly the youth, to become radicalized and involved with terrorist organizations. This is true not only in Africa but throughout the world. It is also important that the fight against terrorism be undertaken in a manner that does not have a negative impact on the provision of humanitarian aid and medical assistance, and we welcome the efforts made by France in providing these assurances in the resolution. In conclusion, South Africa remains steadfast in its commitment and contribution to the fight against terrorism, and we will continue to work at the bilateral, regional and international levels to address this scourge in all its forms and manifestations.

I wish to remind speakers to limit their statements to no more than four minutes maximum in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously. Delegations with lengthy statements are kindly requested to circulate their texts in writing and to deliver a condensed version when speaking in the Chamber. I wish also to inform all concerned that we will be carrying on this open debate right through the lunch hour, as we have a very large number of speakers. I now give the floor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan.

At the outset, I would like to congratulate France on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. We welcome the convening today of an open debate on such an important topic as combating the financing of terrorism. Terrorism and its financing, as well as illicit drug trafficking and organized crime, continue to pose major threats to international peace and security. Moreover, they undermine regional and international efforts to ensure stability, economic and social development, and respect for fundamental human rights. Acknowledging the seriousness of the aforementioned threats, the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan has been taking decisive and comprehensive measures aimed at preventing and combating terrorism, in particular its financing. Those measures including the approval of the National Concept on Countering Money-laundering, the Financing of Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction for 2018-2025, and the plan for its implementation adopted on 5 March 2018. Following the Financial Action Task Force guidance on national money laundering and terrorist financing risk assessments, Tajikistan implemented a similar assessment between April 2015 and September 2017. The assessment indicated that methods of laundering the funds generated through illegal activities have become more sophisticated and that the volume of terrorist financing has increased. In addition to such funds, advanced technologies are being employed in the process of financing terrorism. Moreover, our assessment indicated that drug-related crimes have become a significant source of illicit funds that can make contribute considerably to money-laundering and the financing of terrorism. Stability and security in Tajikistan and in the entire Central Asian region are, to a great extent, related to and depend on the situation in Afghanistan. Tajikistan shares a long border with Afghanistan and remains concerned at the current situation in the border territories of Afghanistan. Intensified activities on the part of terrorist groups, including the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham, in the northern districts of the country, against the backdrop of a significant influx of narcotics and weapons, is a matter of great concern. The law-enforcement agencies of Tajikistan and Afghanistan have been closely cooperating in addressing these complex problems. We support the constructive efforts of the international community and the Government of neighbouring Afghanistan aimed at building lasting peace and stability. The current situation requires that the countries of the region take more robust action and make firm commitments by facilitating regional cooperation and partnership. We are committed to continuing to contribute to this process. Specific measures have also been taken in Tajikistan to implement resolution 2178 (2014), of 2014, which calls on States to prevent and counter the financing of foreign terrorist fighter travel and activities. One of the steps in the implementation of that resolution is the adoption of the national strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan on countering extremism and terrorism for 2016-2020, approved by presidential decree on 12 November 2016. The goals of the strategy include increasing the efficiency of the competent agencies’ interaction on preventing and combating the manifestations of terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and legalization of the income generated through crime that provide a source of financing terrorism and extremism. The implementation of the strategy involves civil- society institutions and is based on international and regional cooperation. We believe that efforts should be focused on eliminating the military infrastructure of international terrorism, depriving it of political, military and financial support; and on preventing the use of the Internet for the radicalization of minds, recruitment and propaganda on extremism and violence. Drug trafficking as one of the channels for financing terrorism and violence is yet another challenge that is causing deep concern in the region and across the world. Combating illicit drug trafficking requires concerted and coordinated action at the regional and international levels. There is still a need for extensive international cooperation to counter narcotics. Given the long-term experience of the Republic of Tajikistan in peacebuilding and in preventing and combating terrorism, we are planning, in cooperation with the relevant United Nations agencies and other international and regional organizations, to hold a high- level conference entitled “International and Regional Cooperation on Countering Terrorism and its Financing through Illicit Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime” in Dushanbe on 16 and 17 May. The goals of the conference are: to promote and strengthen international and regional cooperation; to identify effective measures to combat the financing of terrorism; and to promote expert discussions on the response to the changing forms of financing used by terrorists for their activities, including through illegal drug trafficking and organized crime. This event will serve as a platform for an exchange of views and deliberations on the complex issues and multifaceted problems related to countering terrorism and its financing. We look forward to welcoming delegations from all States Members of the United Nations to this important event. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that Tajikistan stands ready to engage in an open and constructive dialogue in this area.

I now give the floor to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines.

Money is the lifeblood of terrorism. The financing of terrorism in the Philippines is a complex web of illicit flows, money- laundering, transnational organized crime, especially the drug trade, and even the occasional remittance sent by Filipinos overseas. Porous physical, financial and cyberborders enable it. Since the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001), the Philippines has complied with the call to counter the financing of terrorism by all means sufficient for its containment and extinction. We have defined terrorist financing as a separate crime and are amending our human security act to address the exploitation of cyberspace for terrorism. Without an international regulatory framework for cyberspace, its increasing use of encrypted platforms for transnational terrorist financing will continue to create security challenges. We adopted the 2018-2022 national anti-money- laundering and countering the financing of terrorism strategy in response to the 40 recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force and our own national risk-assessment exercise. At its core is the lesson that financial intelligence units, law enforcement agencies, the prosecution service and local Government units must work together, share information with one another and raise awareness — not only between the private and public sectors, but first and foremost among themselves. Intelligence gathering has been ineffective because agencies were only looking at terrorist acts, not the means that enable them. Our strategy tells us to further tighten our legal and regulatory framework. In that regard, I want to focus on a crucial driver of the Philippine economy — remittances. Stand-alone money-service businesses, particularly remittance agencies, have been used as a channel for terrorist financing. Money transfers through informal channels helped terrorist groups launch the Marawi attack in 2017. Remittances account for 9.8 per cent of our gross domestic product. Restricting their flow has touched off a cultural nerve of resistance. The challenge is to balance the requirements of counter-terrorism and the imperative of convenience for those who have struggled in Babylonian captivity to make ends meet in Biblical lands for their families at home. The dilemma has tempted foreign banks to demand that they be used exclusively for remittances at piratical rates. Bankers will be bankers. There is also a concern with non-profit organizations. Contributions that they receive for laudable purposes are knowingly diverted to, or set up precisely as conduits for, terrorist financing. Such non-governmental organizations operate in the southern Philippines. The geographical distribution of threat incidents indicates that some regions are more at risk than others, hence the need to reinforce counter- terrorism mechanisms at the local Government level. Marawi illustrates the symbiotic relationship between terrorism and the illegal drug trade. With drug money, terrorists were able to gather a motley assortment of well-armed extremists, criminals, mercenaries and foreign terrorist fighters to take control of Marawi and re-establish in our part of the world their shattered caliphate in the Middle East. We met them with all-out force and in six months took back Marawi at a fantastic fatality ratio of 165 of our soldiers slain to more than 1,000 dead jihadists. Our counter-terrorism efforts are anchored in respecting human rights because a State’s first, foremost and overriding responsibility is to protect the law-abiding against the lawless and the innocent against those threatening their safety and well-being. To that responsibility, my President has made an iron, unwavering and total commitment. We just do not care about politically compromised public opinion. To the contrary, it will not be pretty, but we will get them. The Philippines is pleased to have co-sponsored resolution 2462 (2019).

I now give the floor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Romania.

I commend the French presidency of the Security Council, Madam President, on its initiative to convene this open debate on preventing and combating the financing of terrorism. Let me also express my deep gratitude for the very informative briefings by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian; Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov; Mr. Marshall Billingslea, President of the Financial Action Task Force; and Ms. Mercy Buku, an expert in anti-money-laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. Romania associates itself with the statement to be made by the observer of the European Union. I will make several remarks in my national capacity. In the current context characterized by multiple and diverse threats linked to terrorism, which seriously jeopardize peace and security, our national role and, above all, our role as a responsible actor at the international level are of paramount importance. Despite the fact that national, regional and international efforts to combat terrorism have been intensified, responses have too often not been fully adapted to the ever-changing working methods used by terrorist organizations to carry out their attacks. Terrorist organizations have shown themselves capable of acquiring their own resources through criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, smuggling networks and directly extorting populations. However, when they lack the necessary financial resources, they are nonetheless also able to carry out attacks with reduced financial resources, entailing a significant impact and immense loss of human life. Consequently, the prevention of terrorist financing is a necessary pillar in the fight against terrorism, and we support all international and regional measures adopted to prevent and combat this major threat. Romania has taken a series of legislative and administrative measures to ensure the protection of all persons on its territory, while at the same time ensuring that the fight against terrorism is conducted in accordance with our international obligations and the applicable international and national human rights provisions. To that end, we have set up a special structure called the National System for Preventing and Combating Terrorism, made up of 21 public authorities. Several of the System’s authorities are directly involved in activities to combat terrorist financing and have developed a strategy that relies heavily on the prevention aspect. Romania criminalized terrorist financing beginning in 2002, and our regulatory and oversight authorities are engaged in a process to clarify our legislation in that area. At the same time, we support the development and implementation of programmes and measures aimed at strengthening the protection of our financial system against any form of illegal use by persons and entities involved in terrorist and criminal activities. Romania’s extensive network of bilateral and multilateral agreements in the area of preventing and combating terrorism demonstrates our willingness to help establish a broader and deeper international legal framework that will enable us to respond effectively to the evolving terrorist threat. We support concerted international efforts to combat the financing of terrorism, geared towards building upon the measures provided for in the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, which Romania ratified, and resolution 1373 (2001). An additional meaningful demonstration of Romania’s support for the joint commitment of the entire international community in the fight against terrorism is its sponsorship of today’s resolution 2462 (2019), on preventing and combating the financing of terrorism. We hope to continue cooperation within the European Union so as to deepen a comprehensive approach to the combat terrorism financing. We also believe that it is necessary to improve and update our data on the sources and methods used by terrorist groups to acquire financing. We commend the work of all United Nations agencies with expertise in the fight against terrorism and remain open to dialogue and close cooperation with them on this subject.

I now give the floor to the Minister of Defence of Estonia.

Allow me to thank France for organizing this timely debate, which can strengthen our collective approach towards the financing of terrorism. Estonia welcomes the adoption of resolution 2462 (2019) on countering the financing of terrorism. We align ourselves with the statement to be delivered by the observer of the European Union (EU). Terrorist acts can destabilize the society and attack the values that lie at the heart of the Charter of the United Nations. We must step up our efforts to combat those growing threats to peace and security. An effective response to combating terrorism and terrorism financing requires a comprehensive approach. It is clear that while the military operation Inherent Resolve in Syria and Iraq was a success, the challenge of fighting terrorism financing remains as relevant as ever. Da’esh and all terrorist organizations will continue to need money to spread their ideologies and to carry out attacks, especially those that operate clandestinely. We believe that, despite it being a global challenge, the fight against terrorism financing starts at the national level. Only States themselves can ensure that their national counter-terrorism and anti-money- laundering legislation has been successfully established and enforced. Only States can ensure that the relevant international legal instruments have been fully integrated within their own national legal systems. Only States can ensure that they have sufficient national capacity and up-to-date information technology solutions to tackle the challenge of terrorist financing effectively. At the same time, effective counter-terrorism measures and the protection of human rights are complementary and mutually reinforcing objectives. We recognize that the financing of terrorism goes beyond State borders and that legal, administrative and operational frameworks vary among States. International cooperation, the exchange of information, the development of data interoperability and operational synchronization are therefore key. In that regard, we believe that the role of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and its regional body, the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism, are of crucial importance, together, of course, with the United Nations, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The global implementation of the FATF international standard allows us to better identify, mitigate and share information on terrorism financing. Focusing on the implementation of counter- terrorism financing legislation in Estonia, we joined the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. We support all United Nations, NATO, Council of Europe and EU initiatives to combat terrorism and to freeze the funds and economic resources used by terrorists or provided by their supporters. Estonian legislation enables the full implementation of all Security Council resolutions concerning the fight against terrorism. Only two years ago, a court case in Estonia showed that terrorism financing as a phenomenon was not just an abstract, distant problem, even in our region. It is a dynamic and continuously evolving threat that requires vigilance and constant attention. In that respect, in February this year our Parliament passed the new International Sanctions Act, which will further support our entrepreneurs’ compliance with the 2018 United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the need to continue to invest towards technological solutions in the financial sector as terrorist organizations adapt very quickly. Our responses need to reflect the reality and adjust constantly to stay one step ahead of the terrorists in new emerging fields, such as cryptocurrencies. As civil society becomes increasingly dependent on digital technology, we must protect our civil society organizations by ensuring that they are well aware of the threat of terrorism financing. We must use the existing channels of information exchange between the public and private sectors. Estonia is eager to continue participating in the international fight against the financing of terrorism.

I now give the floor to the representative of Georgia.

Let me express my sincere gratitude to the French presidency for convening today’s important debate. Georgia was happy to co-sponsor resolution 2462 (2019). My country aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the observer of the European Union. Meanwhile, allow me add few remarks in my national capacity. With regard to the global security architecture, the fight against international terrorism remains one of the main priorities for Georgia. In that regard, the Government is actively working to detect the constantly changing threats of international terrorism and to improve ways of responding to them. The effective and targeted policy of the Government of Georgia has reduced the number of supporters of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and their influences in Georgia. The extremist and terrorist ideological propaganda has also been minimized. The potential threats in Georgia from the counter-terrorism perspective are not exclusive and are similar to the most visible trends evolving in the world. As in many other countries around the globe, the potential threats are related to persons connected with international terrorism in various forms, such as supporters of extremist ideologies and those involved in the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, for example, self-radicalized persons, foreign terrorist fighters and so on. The Government regularly assesses and identifies the major challenges related to them and takes specific steps in dealing with them. At the same time, the occupied territories continue to represent the major challenge for the Government of Georgia in its efforts to combat terrorism. Given Georgia’s important transit role and potential, there is a danger that the occupied territories could be used for illegal activities such as the trafficking and trade in arms and components of weapons of mass destruction, which can be used for terrorist purposes that threaten security in the entire region. In recent years we experienced several recorded attempts of smuggling nuclear and radioactive materials through Georgia’s occupied regions. That further amplifies the sense of danger. Fortunately, those illegal activities were duly prevented by Georgian law enforcement agencies. However, in the absence of an international presence in those territories, it has become virtually impossible to conduct any kind of verification activities on the ground. In parallel to that, we had cases where the occupied territories were used of the illegal transport of funds, which could potentially be used there to finance terrorism as well. Georgia has substantially enhanced its counter- terrorism legislation since 2013. Moreover, Georgia was among the first States Members of the United Nations to explicitly criminalize travel by foreign terrorist fighters in accordance with resolution 2178 (2014). The Government of Georgia adopted a national counter-terrorism strategy and its action plan for 2019- 2021 in January. The strategy is composed of the seven pillars that are the main elements of the fight against terrorism in Georgia. Among them is the prevention and protection pillar, which sets out the actions that Georgia will carry out with regard to issues such as deradicalization and countering the terrorist narrative and combating terrorist financing, as well as foreign terrorist fighters. In the strategy, special attention is given to international cooperation. We need to focus on joint efforts to address the financing of terrorism. Conducting terrorist activities, whether in Syria and Iraq or beyond these territories, is greatly dependent on financial ability. Therefore, the fight against financing of terrorism should be one of the most important goals. Over recent years, Georgia has, inter alia, amended its criminal legislation in relation to terrorism financing, adjusted its legislative framework for the application of targeted financial sanctions, empowered the Financial Monitoring Service of Georgia to temporarily suspend suspicious transactions, introduced the requirement for reporting entities to understand the ownership and control structure of their clients, and enhanced client due diligence measures through the application of a risk-based approach. Georgia has created an adequate legal framework for freezing terrorist assets pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001). The Government established an inter-agency commission for the implementation of the Security Council resolutions, which consists of all the relevant stakeholders, represented at the ministerial level. The commission conducts its work in three major directions — asset freezes, travel bans and arms embargoes on individuals and legal entities suspected of terrorism and designated as such, in line with Council resolutions. Bearing that in mind, we need to mobilize joint efforts to address the challenging security situation in the region and worldwide. As a reliable partner country, Georgia reiterates its commitment to doing its utmost to contribute to common security and stability.

I now give the floor to the representative of Slovenia.

Allow me first to thank Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, and the three main briefers at today’s debate. I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the presence of Mr. Borut Pahor, President of the Republic of Slovenia, in the Chamber today. Slovenia aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the observer of the European Union (EU). Allow me now to add a few remarks in my national capacity. Terrorism, including its financing, requires the permanent attention of the international community, as it remains a changing and evolving threat. Prevention and suppression of the financing of terrorism therefore requires strong cooperation in the interest of international, regional and national peace and stability. We welcome this open debate and the Arria Formula meeting that France, together with Australia, Indonesia, Peru and Tunisia, organized in January, as a clear effort to keep this item high on our political, security and development agendas. Every response to terrorist acts is quickly followed by the adaptation of means, ways and approaches on the part of the terrorists, including the evolving use of technology, all of which also apply to the financing of terrorist activities. New technologies that enable many activities in cyberspace are welcomed and used by us all, but also offer a space for terrorists to more effectively spread their propaganda, recruit new members, coordinate actions, better evade surveillance and arrange the provision, collection and distribution of funds for their activities. Slovenia is one of the co-sponsors of resolution 2462 (2019), adopted today, which clearly reaffirms our obligation as Member States to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism and to demand accountability for the perpetrators of terrorists acts, including those who finance them. In addition to the resolution adopted today, other resolutions and documents adopted within this and other organizations clearly show the need for every Member State to adopt and implement adequate legislation to combat the financing of terrorism and, if needed, to develop national plans. We need effective partnerships with the private sector and continuous training of the relevant stakeholders. In the past years Slovenia adopted specific measures in three areas — amendments to legislation, enhanced international and national cooperation and the education of stakeholders. At the end of 2016, Slovenia, as a member of the European Union, adopted the new Act on Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, which introduced the EU directive on preventing the use of the financial system for money laundering or terrorist financing into our national legal system. The new law brought a new approach based on analysis and threat assessment to the national and international levels. It requires that national threat assessments on money laundering and the financing of terrorism be carried out and periodically updated. One of the important features of the new legislation is an obligatory review of individual transactions exceeding €1,000 and the introduction of a register of real owners, which is also a significant achievement in the prevention of terrorism. In every aspect of combating terrorism and its financing, international and regional cooperation are of the utmost importance. National cooperation links have been established in Slovenia between special units for the fight against terrorism within the Slovenian Intelligence and Security Agency, the Ministry of the Interior — the police — the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Finance. As a result of that cooperation, between 2010 and 2015 the Ministry of Finance received an annual average of four reports related to terrorist financing. There were 14 in 2016 alone, as well as nine notifications submitted to the competent authorities with reasonable grounds for the suspicion of a criminal offence. We also put strong emphasis on educational activities. The Ministry of Finance has organized training courses for persons in a position to prevent terrorist financing. They learn about the types of terrorist financing, its indicators, as well as about the process of radicalization and relevant legislative amendments. The courses are attended by people in the banking sector, insurance companies, brokerage companies and foreign-exchange offices. With regard to regional cooperation, Slovenia devotes special attention to the region of the Western Balkans. Since the links between terrorism and organized crime, through which terrorism is also financed, are well established, Slovenia proposed the development of one of its initiatives — the Western Balkan Counter-terrorism Initiative — into the Integrative Internal Security Governance framework, an EU initiative that focuses on national security cooperation, combating terrorism and tackling serious and organized crime. Slovenia welcomes all initiatives that seek to limit the space for potential terrorist activities. Nevertheless, we should not limit the space for humanitarian actors in the process of implementing measures to counter the financing of terrorism, which must be carried out in full respect for international law, particularly international humanitarian law, human rights law and international refugee law.

I now give the floor to the representative of Australia.

At the outset, on behalf of all Australians, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to those affected by the devastating terrorist attack in Christchurch. Events in New Zealand are a painful reminder that our protective systems must continue to be flexible and evolve to address the ever-changing threat environment with which we are all confronted. Terrorists need money to carry out their atrocities — money for weapons and explosives, for supplies, for travel and for shelter. Terrorists, like criminals, constantly adapt how and where they move their funds in order to circumvent safeguards that countries have put in place. The evolution of financial payment systems, while fostering economic growth and efficiencies, provides ever-more alternatives for terrorists and their supporters to finance their senseless attacks. Global bodies such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) agree that we urgently need to take concerted action to strengthen global counter-terrorist financing regimes to combat the financing of serious terrorist threats and contribute to strengthening the financial and economic system. Australia has a robust and dynamic anti-money- laundering and counter-terrorism financing system built upon close relationships among law enforcement and intelligence agencies, policymakers, industry and our international counterparts. Australia is committed to upholding our obligations under the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, resolution 1373 (2001), the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/Al-Qaida and Taliban sanctions regimes, as well as the Financial Action Task Force’s standards and best practices in this area. We are continually reviewing our domestic laws to further strengthen those systems and enhance compliance with our international obligations and the FATF standards. Partnerships at all levels are critical if we are to respond effectively to evolving threats. In partnering with the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force, we can uncover new methodologies and tactics used by terror financiers and make them visible to the private and non-profit sectors. Increasingly, direct engagement between the public and private sector is augmenting the intelligence and risk picture. Public-private partnerships such as Australia’s Fintel Alliance are facilitating collaboration and intelligence-sharing in near to real-time, providing alternative options for disruption. The Fintel Alliance allows law enforcement agencies and the private sector to share high-priority information to identify targets or disrupt potential transactions that could finance terrorist activities. Australia was delighted to co-host with France, Indonesia, Peru and Tunisia an Arria Formula meeting of the Security Council on 31 January, which explored ways to strengthen our efforts to combat the financing of terrorism. We look forward to continuing that important work as host of the second “No money for terror” ministerial conference to be held in November. We intend to explore four proposed themes — analysing the current threat environment associated with terrorism financing, public-private partnerships, virtual currencies and the misuse of non-profit organizations for terrorist financing purposes. In hosting the second conference, following on from France’s hosting of the first conference, Australia reinforces its commitment to starving terrorists of the funds needed to carry out their senseless attacks.

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

The Syrian Arab Republic welcomes the adoption of resolution 2462 (2019) and looks forward to a genuine international and collective commitment to its implementation. The credibility and the effectiveness of the United Nations in implementing such a resolution depend primarily on the implementation of previous Security Council resolutions related to preventing and combating the financing of terrorism, and on preventing certain Governments and parties from exploiting such resolutions to exert political and economic pressure on other Member States. My country, Syria, stresses that the mandate of the resolution adopted by the Council today focuses exclusively on preventing and combating the financing of individuals, groups, entities and institutions that are designated by the Council as terrorists. Based on that clear legal understanding, the Syrian Arab Republic categorically rejects the politicized assessment made by Mr. Marshall Billingslea, President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The Syrian Arab Republic implemented the action plan developed by the FATF and the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force to address any shortcomings in combating money-laundering and the financing of terrorism. That was recognized by FATF in June 2014. It declared that Syria had fulfilled the technical aspects of the plan. However, some members of the Task Force insisted on keeping Syria’s name on the list of the ongoing process to improve global compliance with anti-money-laundering and combating the financing of terrorism, under the pretext that the Task Force was unable to visit Syria for security reasons. Today, my country, Syria, welcomes and expects an expert group of the Task Force to visit Damascus in the near future to oversee Syria’s full implementation of the required reforms. My country’s Government believes that addressing the various tools and mechanisms for financing terrorism is a decisive factor in eliminating terrorism once and for all. However, we and other Member States are concerned about the inaction and inability of the United Nations, as well as the failure of the international community, to hold accountable certain Governments that are directly involved in financing and arming groups designated by the Security Council as terrorists. Those Governments have helped to create the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters and have fuelled extremist ideology and violent extremism, leading to terrorism throughout the world. The United Nations does not lack the legal instruments necessary to combat the financing of terrorism, even though such instruments need to be developed and improved. Indeed, the Security Council has adopted clear and decisive resolutions on combating the financing of terrorism. The problem lies with the absence of mechanisms for holding to account the Governments involved in financing terrorism, either directly or indirectly. One such example is the Government of Qatar, which has publicly violated resolutions 2133 (2014), 2161 (2014), 2253 (2015) and 2368 (2017) by providing more than $1 billion in cash — I repeat, in cash — to terrorist groups, such as Da’esh and the Al-Nusra Front, in Syria and Iraq, under the pretext of paying ransoms to release foreign abductees. However, no Member State has even lifted a finger to ensure the implementation of the relevant measures set out in Security Council resolutions condemning and prohibiting ransom payments to terrorists and armed terrorist groups. In its war against Da’esh, the Al-Nusra Front and other terrorist groups, the Syrian Arab Republic has lost tens of thousands of Syrian lives. The Syrian people have suffered immensely as a result of terrorism, in addition to huge economic losses that no country in the world can endure by itself. It is no exaggeration to say that Syria is the main partner of the international community in the global war against terrorism within the context of the United Nations. Despite that fact, my country has received no financial or technical support from the United Nations to combat terrorism. On the contrary, we are being subjected to an unprecedented economic blockade imposed by the Governments that either financed terrorism or ignored its financiers. Unfortunately, some Member States would rush to describe those Governments, including the Government of Qatar, as genuine partners of the United Nations in combating terrorism, for the sole reason that those Governments have donated a few million dollars to the United Nations under the pretext that it is countering terrorism. A former Prime Minister of one of those Governments, namely, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, of Qatar, has admitted that his country’s Government spent $137 billion in financing, arming and training armed groups in Syria. In conclusion, given such practices, we remain concerned about the professional and balanced implementation of the provisions of Security Council resolutions on combating terrorism and financing it, as well as the seriousness and independence of the United Nations role in combating terrorism.

I remind speakers to kindly limit their statements to no more than four minutes in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously. I now give the floor to the representative of Guatemala.

We thank the Republic of France for convening this open debate, which gives us the opportunity to exchange views on an issue that continues to have a damaging impact on the world. We also welcome the concept note (S/2019/239, annex) that has been circulated as a basis for our deliberations. We have recently been shocked to see the effects of terrorism, which has been used not only as a threat but also as a direct attack against the most basic elements of human dignity. Innocent civilians are attacked by radical extremists who snatch innocent lives in an atrocious and cowardly way, driven by a perversity that knows no bounds. The severity of terrorist acts generates a huge sense of insecurity, the consequences of which affect us globally. The issue that brings us together today — the threat to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts and combating the financing of terrorism — remains a critical one. My delegation has repeatedly stated that terrorism is a global phenomenon that must be addressed at its very origins. All States are vulnerable to terrorist acts, which represent a threat to international peace and security, undermine democracy and create instability. Terrorism represents an equally serious threat to all States. With regard to my country’s region, we are deeply concerned about the growing links between transnational organized crime and terrorism and we believe in the importance of strengthening cooperation to effectively prevent and combat such illicit activity. Despite the fact that the international community has innovative legal instruments to combat terrorism and organized crime, in many cases the general perception of our populations is that those instruments are insufficient. Here, at the heart of the United Nations and within the Security Council, it is therefore necessary to harmonize efforts to implement the four pillars of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in a balanced manner. We welcome the coordinated efforts of the Office of Counter-Terrorism and the implementation of its Strategy. We also call for efforts to converge with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in the field of prevention, because increasing the visibility of United Nations activities to prevent terrorism will improve international cooperation to identify sources of financing, anonymous transactions and the misuse of financial resources. Before the Council, we also urge the international community to resort to a more rigorous control of the illicit market of small arms and light weapons and their respective ammunition, since the trade in those weapons and their indiscriminate use helps terrorist and organized crime networks to acquire them for malicious use. The Arms Trade Treaty provides explicit and specific regulations to prevent the misuse of such weapons. In addition to small arms and light weapons, weapons of mass destruction are also one of the main causes of death around the world and their impact on civilian populations is indiscriminate. The commitment of our countries to ensure the proper implementation of Security Council resolutions must therefore take centre stage. The full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) requires States to adopt and apply laws that would effectively prohibit the provision of any type of support to non-State actors that seek to develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their delivery systems, in particular for terrorist purposes. To conclude, Guatemala once again reiterates its strong and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of its perpetrators, where it is committed and for what purpose. Our position is that terrorism and violent extremism cannot be justified by beliefs, ideology or religion. That not only plainly contravenes the rules of public international humanitarian law but also undermines human dignity.

I now give the floor to the representative of Ireland.

Let me begin by thanking Minister Le Drian for chairing this important debate on preventing and combating the financing of terrorism. Nearly one year ago, Ireland was one of the 70 States that convened in Paris for the high-level International Conference on Combating the Financing of Da’esh and Al-Qaida, on the theme “No money for terror”. I thank France for its continued leadership in that critical area. I would also like to acknowledge the leadership of the Financial Action Task Force and to thank Mr. Billingslea for the challenging but important work that his organization is undertaking. The Task Force recommendations have become the global standard for countering money laundering and terrorist financing. Its evolution into a committed public and political tool is welcome. We now need to work together internationally to ensure that its recommendations are applied. As others have said, the financing of terrorism is a complex and evolving phenomenon. Money launderers exploit complicated financial structures to mask their funding sources and avoid punitive sanctions regimes. Given the borderless nature of the threat, Ireland strongly believes that multilateral engagement and collaboration are critical if we are to effectively counter the financing of global terrorism. That is why we see a central role for the United Nations in leading the coordinated and inclusive response of Member States to the financing of terrorism. We need to continue to make a concerted effort to increase the visibility and effectiveness of United Nations counter-terrorism activities. As a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the 2021-2022 term, Ireland believes that the Council has a central role to play in preventing and countering the financing of terrorism. We therefore welcome resolution 2462 (2019), adopted today, which represents another important step in that evolving fight. Ireland’s response to the issue of money laundering and terrorist financing is multifaceted and brings together a range of Government departments and agencies, including the Central Bank of Ireland, the Irish police force, our Criminal Assets Bureau and the Irish Revenue Commissioners. That coordinated approach is key to effectively tackling money laundering and terrorist financing in Ireland. Ireland also participates actively at the international level in developing the most effective and appropriate standards to apply in countering the financing of terrorism, including at the Financial Action Task Force plenaries. As co-creators of the Task Force standards, we are not only actively improving our domestic Financial Action Task Force framework but we have also been at the forefront in developing international standards. Ireland is also an active participant in the European Union’s work to combat the financing of terrorism. We believe that our efforts to dismantle the transnational and borderless financial mechanisms used by terrorists should include appropriate sharing of information across sectors and across borders. Aside from our enhanced communication, concrete steps must also be taken to ensure transparency and clarity around the ownership of legal companies, trusts and organizations. Obscuring ownership allows for easy manipulation of the system and is an open door for the channelling of funds around the world for terrorist means. Importantly, we also believe that counter-terrorism measures should never undermine our obligations under international law, including human rights and international humanitarian law. Ireland acknowledges and welcomes the significant impact that civil society participation can have in countering the financing of terror and we encourage further efforts to strengthen that partnership. Building and maintaining trust among public, private and non-governmental organizations is the bedrock upon which we must take that fight forward. To conclude, let me once again thank you, Madam President, for the opportunity to speak here today and to underline Ireland’s firm commitment to counter terrorist financing in all its forms and our readiness to actively contribute to United Nations efforts in this area.

I now give the floor to the representative of Italy.

I would like to thank France and Foreign Minister Le Drian for taking the initiative to convene this open debate and for promoting resolution 2462 (2019), adopted today, of which Italy had the honour to be a sponsor. I also want to thank Under-Secretary-General Voronkov for the information that he kindly shared with us from Rome, and the other briefers for their important contributions to this debate. Italy aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the observer of the European Union. (spoke in English) Today Italy’s Foreign Minister said once again that terrorism exploits globalization and the digital revolution. Countering the financing of terrorism should therefore be a priority for all national Governments and international organizations. The resolution that the Council adopted unanimously today makes a significant contribution to that by emphasizing the importance of harmonizing existing rules and recommendations and strengthening important operational aspects. In that context, I would like to highlight four points. First, greater attention should be paid to complementing each and every investigation related to terrorism with specific financial investigations. Even minor and low-budget crimes can leave financial traces that can be usefully exploited to better comprehend the terrorist environment and take more effective operational action. We should therefore constantly encourage and promote closer cooperation between law enforcement and financial intelligence. Secondly, the analysis and recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), in particular the new counter-terrorist financing operational plan adopted in February 2018, are of key importance. We greatly value the paragraphs of today’s resolution pertinent to this area and encourage all Member States to implement the provisions coherently while cooperating with one another as fully as possible. Thirdly, Italy is doing its part wholeheartedly, as we are strongly committed to countering terrorism financing both nationally and internationally. We have actively implemented all the United Nations and FATF measures and recommendations, including by taking preventive action and rigorously implementing United Nations sanctions regimes. We have adopted a national risk assessment strategy that has been accompanied with a strong coordination effort among all the relevant national bodies. Italy’s counter-terrorism prosecution office works according to a comprehensive protocol that includes pre-investigative and systematic exchanges of information with financial intelligence units and other relevant controlling bodies. It focuses specifically on suspicious operations and persons included on relevant lists, with hundreds of thousands of names and numbers matched and checked yearly. Equally importantly, our Guardia di Finanza shares its know-how with all other relevant national bodies and actively provides cooperation and capacity-building at the international level. In that respect, I would like to highlight the importance of the memorandum of understanding signed today in Rome between the Office of Counter-Terrorism and the general headquarters of the Guardia di Finanza, and mentioned by Under-Secretary-General Voronkov this morning in his videoconference briefing. The memorandum establishes coherent and structured collaboration in the field of capacity-building. Dedicated courses on countering the financing of terrorism and related matters will be provided to law-enforcement officials and civil servants of Member States that request such support. Fourthly and finally, I want to underline that the right balance between security concerns and the protection of all people’s fundamental rights and dignity remains a priority for Italy. Non-governmental organizations and associations that are committed to humanitarian action and advocate fundamental human rights play a critical role in alleviating the suffering of entire populations, families and individuals. Such crucial activity could suffer from inappropriate and unnecessary limits and obstacles. Italy remains committed to addressing the scourge of terrorism and its related financial threats in a determined and comprehensive way, while also continuing to enhance its cooperation with Member States that may need assistance in capacity- building projects.

I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

Let me start by saying that terrorism remains one of the most complex and imposing challenges of our time, claiming innocent lives, causing widespread destruction, undermining social stability and disrupting State structures. The recent terrorist attack in Christchurch showed that terrorism cannot be associated with any faith, ethnicity or nationality. We express our solidarity with the Government and the people of New Zealand. Nine of the victims who died in that terrorist attack were from my country. Pakistan has been a principal victim of terrorism, including terrorism that is supported, sponsored and financed from abroad. We have lost tens of thousands of lives, and many more have been injured or maimed. But those losses have not diminished our resolve to eliminate this scourge. They have in fact reinforced our will to fight until the last terrorist is eliminated from our country. Pakistan has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to counter terrorism that includes a military-led enforcement campaign and a comprehensive plan. Our 20-point national action plan focuses as much on countermeasures as on preventive approaches, including confronting the risks arising from terrorist financing. By conducting the largest counter-terrorism operation anywhere in the world, deploying 200,000 of our troops, our security forces have turned the tide against this scourge. Today terrorist incidents in my country are at a record low — their lowest point, in fact, in more than a decade. That is a testimony to our success. Pakistan fully supports international efforts to counter the financing of terrorism and has therefore criminalized terrorist financing in accordance with the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. One of the most important elements of our national action plan is countering the financing of terrorism. Being a largely cash-based economy, my country initially faced significant challenges in implementing it. However, over the past decade we have overcome those obstacles by, first, enacting laws to eliminate terrorism-financing risks and implementing our international obligations, including Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations and the obligations of the sanctions regime 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; secondly, strengthening financial institutions, including our Central Bank, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and the Financial Monitoring Unit; and thirdly, building the capacities of financial regulatory institutions and law-enforcement agencies. While we have fully aligned Pakistan’s anti-terrorism-financing regime with FATF recommendations, we are paying particular attention to monitoring non-profit organizations. My Government has issued specific guidelines and enacted procedures for auditing the accounts of non-profit organizations to ensure that no funds collected by any charitable organization are at risk of being used for terrorist financing. Through such efforts to combat terrorist financing, we have managed to achieve a sevenfold increase in the number of arrests, cases registered and persons convicted on charges of terrorism financing over the past year alone. As we reaffirm the international consensus on countering the financing of terrorism today, it is important to identify and plug the gaps that remain. In that regard, it is important that current structures such as the FATF and the 1267 sanctions regimes are not used by anyone as political tools to advance geopolitical objectives. There is also a need to make those institutions more inclusive of the wider membership in their decision-making roles. Pakistan has always advocated that international efforts should be geared to fighting the root causes of terrorism, not just the symptoms. Let me point out three specific gaps in the current approach. First, the international community should still focus attention on foreign intervention, foreign occupation and the continuing denial of the right to self-determination to people living under foreign occupation, as well as violations of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. Such obvious causative factors are usually ignored or cast aside. The international community agrees that continued and persistent violations of human rights contribute to violent extremism, yet killings continue in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and occupied Palestine. The brutalization and oppression of people struggling for the legitimate right to self-determination constitutes State terrorism. Secondly, as we all know, conflicts undermine development, break down governance, create a sense of injustice and fuel violence. Prolonged and unresolved conflicts therefore continue to do that for generations. Yet in the context of preventing violent extremism, the international community continues to ignore long- standing situations of conflict and injustice. Thirdly, while there is international consensus that terrorism cannot be associated with any religion, we see extreme right-wing groups and white supremacists in some Western countries seeking to reap political dividends by fanning Islamophobia. Action must also be taken against that deliberate hate-mongering, which often leads to violence. Let me conclude by re-emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to combating and defeating terrorism and the need for international collaboration to achieve our shared objective.

I now give the floor to the observer of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Mr. Mardini: Today the Security Council adopted resolution 2462 (2019), thereby upholding international humanitarian law and protecting principled humanitarian action. It shows that States remain committed to their obligations under international humanitarian law and to ensuring that people in need can be reached and protected in times of armed conflict. I am addressing the Council today because the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is concerned about the growing impact that counter- terrorism measures can have on impartial humanitarian action. We understand States’ legitimate concerns and their need to take necessary measures to ensure security and eliminate terrorism. But certain measures, most notably counter-terrorism legislation and sanctions, can criminalize and restrict humanitarian action. What is at stake is our ability to cross front lines in order to deliver humanitarian assistance for communities living in areas controlled by armed groups and individuals designated as terrorists. Counter-terrorism measures can have a negative impact on our ability to visit people who have been detained, recover dead bodies, train armed groups on international humanitarian law and facilitate mutual detainee releases and swaps. In short, our ability to carry out our mandate is increasingly hampered. As a consequence, people are suffering at the very moment when international humanitarian law should be protecting them. The ICRC has always condemned violence, including acts of terrorism, against protected persons. However, the international community must find the right balance between the legitimate concerns of States providing security and the importance of international humanitarian law and impartial humanitarian action. We welcome the efforts to find that balance in the resolution adopted today. The next step is to walk the talk. The commitments to safeguarding humanitarian action in the resolution mean nothing to populations in need if they are not implemented. When States take resolution 2462 (2019) back home and incorporate it into their domestic legal order, we ask that they take effective measures to protect principled humanitarian action and preserve the humanitarian space. We also encourage States to engage with humanitarian organizations to find concrete solutions to this very critical issue. That would be a tangible way to demonstrate their commitment to the 1949 Geneva Conventions in their seventieth anniversary year. Counter-terrorism measures remain a critical issue for the ICRC. Our President, Mr. Peter Maurer, will be here to brief the Council next week and will reiterate the great importance of this matter.

I now give the floor to the representative of Japan.

I thank you, Madam President, for convening this important meeting. We commend France’s leadership on this issue and welcome the unanimous adoption of resolution 2462 (2019) this morning, of which we were a sponsor. I also want to express my gratitude to the briefers for their insightful remarks. Despite the progress made in the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, we continue to face the threat of terrorism, and it is vital that we mobilize and concentrate our resources in order to continue to combat international terrorism. Cutting off the money flow is the crucial element in preventing terrorism at its source, and we must cope with a wide range of financing methods, new and old. In order to address the complicated issue of terrorist financing holistically, the strict implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, including the one we just adopted, is key. For effective implementation, action should be taken both locally and globally. Japan will be hosting a number of major sporting events in the next few years, including the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, and it goes without saying that we will take every measure to counter any potential threat. Japan has always stood against terrorism, but with 2020 ahead, we are intensifying our activity even more. Regarding the combating of terrorist financing, Japan is taking firm and appropriate steps both locally and globally. Domestically, we are actively cooperating with the private sector. We have established a public- private dialogue with banks and firms dealing with financial activities that encourages the exchange of information and ideas not just between the Government and the private sector, but among private-sector actors as well. We have set up guidelines for the private banking sector that endeavour to provide a clear picture of the rules and regulations that it is obliged to follow, thereby encouraging an effective response to any suspicious transfers. We are also reaching out actively, through events and seminars, to staff-level personnel, the people actually dealing with day-to-day transactions, in order to share best practices and build the capacity to counter the financing of terrorism at the ground level. Globally, cooperation with the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is crucial. Japan strives to contribute to strengthening our approach to combating the financing of terrorism in alliance with organizations such as FATF. For example, in 2017, Japan introduced a registration system in order to link an individual with any account used in the exchange of cryptoassets, consistent with the FATF recommendations. Furthermore, capacity-building is important. Through multi-donor trust funds such as the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Japan is contributing to projects aimed at closing potential loopholes that could be used for financing terrorism. It will be crucial to further strengthen the sharing of information among States in order to keep up with evolving technology and the expansion of the areas in which terrorists operate. In conclusion, I want to reiterate the importance of the strict implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions and FATF recommendations in our efforts to combat the financing of terrorism. Japan will continue to engage with this issue both domestically and internationally, including as Chair of the Group of 20 this year.

I now give the floor to the representative of Colombia.

At the outset, I would like to welcome the presence here today of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of France and congratulate the French delegation on its work in presiding over the Council, as well as on its initiative in convening this important debate. I am also grateful for the briefings we heard today, which have provided a clear overview of the challenges we face in preventing and combating the financing of terrorism. My delegation considers resolution 2462 (2019), which the Council adopted today, to be extremely important. We fully concur with its spirit and value. Colombia has firmly and resolutely assumed the task of strengthening its capacities for the prevention and punishment of terrorism. It is a State purpose that requires moving forward in the adoption of the relevant international instruments and of updated and appropriate domestic regulations. We are fully aware that crimes such as corruption, illicit drug trafficking, illicit arms trafficking, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and money-laundering have allowed the strengthening of terrorist organizations in size and scope, making them more dangerous and giving them the technical, operational and financial support that allows them to destabilize countries and the international community. The fight against terrorist organizations must include the fight against criminal groups, with special emphasis on their finances and on the money obtained through their illicit activities. To face these challenges, my country is making headway in strengthening the human and technical capacities of our police forces, and it will continue to be imperative to consolidate those of our judicial system, equipping it with new tools to face equally new criminal phenomena. As a member of the Financial Action Task Force on Latin America, Colombia has been evaluated on four occasions by the Financial Action Task Force of the International Monetary Fund, which highlights some achievements that I would like to share in this debate. I note, for example, the procedure applied by the Colombian authorities with regard to the Security Council’s sanctions committees, in particular Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh) Al-Qaida and associated individuals groups undertakings and entities. The Group also appreciated the procedure that Colombia has developed to comply with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force on Latin America on the freezing of assets, which involves financial institutions, the department in charge of regulating financial institutions, the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It also noted that financial institutions regularly verify other sources, such as country designation lists, and apply measures in accordance with our legislation, which is used to find possible sources of financing for terrorism. Organized crime, criminal economies and terrorism corrupt institutions, impede their normal functioning, hinder the provision of goods and services, distort the functioning of the economy and markets, deprecate natural and human resources and discourage private initiative. Put another way, they are declared enemies of legality and entrepreneurship and, consequently, of equity, which are pillars of the Government of President Iván Duque Márquez and are reflected in the new defence and security policy. This policy does not allow space to justify or validate terrorism and crime as a means of political action in democracy, nor does it allow arguments to be maintained in support of crime. That is why we thank the Security Council for its condemnation of the despicable terrorist attack on the Bogotá police academy in January. Colombia views with concern the progress made of groups that use violent extremism and terrorism under ambiguous political and religious pretexts, threaten international peace and security, and undermine the values and principles of States. Such groups have become a global threat that forces us to develop integrated and coordinated actions within the framework of international cooperation. In that regard, the Doha Declaration of the thirteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in 2015 is a point of reference that indicates some emerging forms, such as environmental crimes, piracy and cybercrime, among others. We also have a solid legal framework to combat terrorism. Finally, Colombia wishes to reaffirm its rejection and condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and considers it necessary to emphasize that this problem cannot and should not be associated with any particular religion, civilization, ethnicity or nationality. With special emphasis since the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001) and its subsequent developments and supplements, Colombia has updated its legislation and procedures to fight this scourge, which we suffered for years, and we will continue doing so in the conviction that international cooperation is a priority task for the benefit of humankind.

I now give the floor to the representative of Lebanon.

At the outset, I wish to congratulate you, Madam, and your team on your able leadership of the work of the Council during the month of March. I would also like to thank the briefers, Under- Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov; Mr. Marshall Billingslea, President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF); and expert Ms. Mercy Buku for their valuable inputs. I would also like to congratulate France and all the sponsors on the adoption of resolution 2462 (2019) today. Our world today continues to face grave peace and security challenges, yet terrorism has probably become the defining security challenge of our time. Lebanon reiterates its firm condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Recent tragic, deplorable terrorist acts — most recently in New Zealand — have testified to our collective belief that terrorism is not to be associated with any particular religion, nationality or ethnicity. It is a global disease afflicting humankind, threatening the core values of humanity, and thus requires a global remedy. The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy is a policy tool of paramount importance that guides the global battle against terrorism. In its four pillars, it reflects the international conviction that an effective response to this threat needs to be inclusive and comprehensive. One key battlefield is countering the financing of terrorism. My country has been on the forefront of the fight against terrorism. Our armed forces succeeded in defeating Da’esh, the Al-Nusra Front and other Al-Qaida-affiliated groups militarily, and in disrupting hundreds of terrorist cells. We joined the Global Coalition against Da’esh on its inception, and have been active members of several of its working groups. In the process, Lebanon has put combating the financing of terrorism at the core of its counterterrorism efforts. We have taken concrete actions on all fronts, including the legislative front. Lebanon co-chaired the Working Group on Countering the Financing of Terrorism of the Global Coalition. In that capacity, Lebanon played a crucial role in devising measures to disrupt the financing networks of that notorious terrorist group. On 27 October 2016, the Lebanese Parliament adopted Law No.77, which amended article 316 of the Penal Code to cover the financing of activities mentioned in Security Council resolution 2178 (2014), in relation to foreign terrorist fighters. In response to the efforts and demand of the Prime Minister, we have put into effect two targeted financial sanctions mechanisms, based on the new Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Financing of Terrorism Law, with respect to resolutions 1267 (1989), 1373 (2001) and successor resolutions. The mechanisms were adopted by the Lebanese National Committee on Suppressing Terrorism Financing. The internal security forces now retain and issue the national list of designated names on its website. I am also glad to announce that Lebanon has acceded to the United Nations International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism of 1999. The Special Investigation Commission of the Lebanese Central Bank, which is our national financial investigation unit, has been prioritizing terrorism- financing cases. It is noteworthy that there has been a considerable increase in the number of terrorism- financing convictions issued by the relevant courts in Lebanon. In terms of capacity-building and awareness- raising, the Special Investigation Commission has been steadily conducting joint training on terrorism financing with the General Prosecutor’s Office and other relevant stakeholders. In parallel, the Lebanese National Committee on Suppressing Terrorism Financing continues to meet on a regular basis to discuss the latest terrorism-financing threats and recommend mitigating measures. That Committee includes representatives from relevant judicial, law enforcement and financial agencies in Lebanon. Terrorism financing is a transboundary, collective threat and, as the Secretary-General has rightly said, transnational threat that cannot be defeated by any single Government or organization. That is why our response should be collective and global. The importance of establishing multilateral resources and forging strong partnerships at the international and regional levels cannot be overemphasized. Significant work has been done in that regard by relevant intergovernmental agencies, such as the Financial Action Task Force, INTERPOL and EUROPOL, to name a few. Their efforts should be commended and supported. However, we should never forget that comprehensive and sustainable action against the threat of terrorism should seek to address its root causes. We should work hard to foster economic development and social inclusion and counter oppression and foreign occupation. Recent cases have shown that failed States have constantly provided fertile soil for terrorism. Bolstering democratic governance and the rule of law is one effective, preventive way to guarantee a world free of terrorism and the violent extremism that gives rise to it.

I now give the floor to the representative of Egypt.

At the outset, I would like to express my gratitude to France for its initiative and for having submitted the draft resolution that was adopted today, which Egypt (resolution 2462 (2019)). The issue of preventing and combating the financing of terrorism is of great importance in general, and for Egypt in particular. Effectively combating the financing of terrorism requires that we comprehensively combat all terrorist groups without distinction, especially in the light of the overarching ideology uniting all those terrorist groups, whatever they may be called, and their belonging to the same extremist Takfiri ideology inciting terrorism. In order to combat the financing of terrorism in line with resolutions 1373 (2001) and 2368 (2017), it is necessary to firmly and resolutely confront States and terrorist groups that use certain non-governmental organizations, community institutions and relief organizations fronts for raising funds to finance terrorism. Moreover, it is necessary to strengthen international mechanisms to combat terrorism financing and cut off its sources by monitoring and tracking the financial transfers of terrorist groups and elements. It is also necessary to address the relationship between such groups and transnational organized crime networks, while strengthening international cooperation with a view to collecting digital evidence related to such crimes in order to assist in the prosecution process. Furthermore, it is necessary to strengthen coordination at the national, regional and international levels in order to implement effective and innovative measures to support the rapid advances in technology, which is also being used by terrorist groups to finance their activities. In the light of the increasing use of cryptocurrencies by terrorist groups in their financial transfers, we call on the United Nations and its various agencies, in particular the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and the United Nations Counter- Terrorism Centre, to redouble and intensify their efforts in assisting States to build their capacities in combating and preventing the financing of terrorism through clear projects that will have a practical impact. At the national level, I would like to refer to the most important counter-terrorism measures that Egypt has taken in the area of preventing and combating terrorism financing. Egypt has ratified the majority of the relevant international and regional conventions on this issue, having also established the Egyptian anti-money- laundering and combating the financing of terrorism unit several years ago. Egypt has also developed special mechanisms to implement relevant Security Council resolutions, as well as those issued by international technical organizations such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Egmont Group and other financial intelligence units. As a result of Egypt’s efforts in that regard, there were positive outcomes from a questionnaire that was submitted to the FATF regarding Egypt’s efforts in the fight against terrorism financing. The report of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate also commended the effective role played by the Egyptian anti-money-laundering and combating financing of terrorism unit both at the domestic and international levels. Furthermore, Egyptian financial institutions, especially those conducting financial transfers, are bound by identification regulations issued by the Egyptian anti-money-laundering and combating financing of terrorism unit, in accordance with international measures, with a view to combating the financing of terrorism through the banking sector. Concerning the measures taken to prevent the misuse of informal financial services providers, we emphasize that the system for transferring funds in Egypt is limited to licensed financial institutions. The Egyptian anti-money-laundering and combating financing of terrorism unit is actively working to eliminate any cases that may involve informal financial transfers or transactions. In the context of the new methods being used to finance terrorism, especially by exploiting modern technological means, Egypt has taken several preventive measures. The anti-money-laundering and combating financing of terrorism unit has alerted the public to the possible dangers of cryptocurrencies, and there is close cooperation with law enforcement agencies to strengthen their capacity to counter those developments by holding joint training courses. The Egyptian unit also distributed a guiding list indicating the most popular websites used in the circulation of cryptocurrencies, which is regularly updated by the unit. Moreover, the Egyptian unit has issued regulatory controls to deal with Internet payments and established rules for the identification of customers with regard to prepaid cards as well as operating rules for payments via mobile phone. The unit also obliges relevant institutions to provide these services with reliable methods of establishing the identity of customers using those payment services. As part of the efforts of the Egyptian anti-money- laundering and combating financing of terrorism unit to keep abreast of all international developments, especially those related to the requirements of financial inclusion and measures adopted towards a digital society, the unit has prepared a guidebook for banks to help them assess the risks of money laundering. Lastly, we once again welcome the adoption of today’s resolution 2462 (2019). We underscore the importance of implementing that resolution as well as all other Security Council resolutions relating to the fight against terrorism. It is essential that the Security Council hold accountable countries that are not committed to the full implementation of those resolutions and continue to violate them. Not holding those States to account will perpetuate the financing of terrorism, the spread of foreign terrorist fighters and their free movement from conflict zones to other States and regions, as well as ongoing support for terrorists, the provision of safe havens for them and incitement to terrorism through media channels, sometimes even through filming the perpetrators as they carry out their terrorist attacks. I thank you once again, Madam President, and wish you all success in achieving our goal.

I now give the floor to the observer of the European Union. Mr. Martin Prada: I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine also align themselves with this statement. At the outset, I would like to thank the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, the Under-Secretary-General, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov and the President of the Financial Action Task Force, Mr. Marshall Billingslea, for their contributions to this debate. Combating the financing of terrorism remains an utmost concern for the EU and its member States. We very much welcome this opportunity to discuss this important topic today. I would like to start by thanking France for putting terrorism financing in the spotlight with the organization of the Arria Formula meeting in January and for introducing resolution 2462 (2019), which was adopted today as a concrete follow-up to the high-level International Conference on Combating the Financing of Da’esh and Al-Qaida, held in Paris last year on the theme “No money for terror”. The resolution has clearly given new political impetus to policies on the counter- financing of terrorism. It is important to maintain this political momentum, and the European Union is ready to contribute to it. The resolution adopted today is an opportunity to reaffirm the principles and obligations already established under the existing counter-financing of terrorism framework, which deals with terrorism and its financing and has been effective in limiting the capacity of terrorist organizations to finance their activities. It is also an opportunity to respond to the evolution of the threat. Terrorism financing is a dynamic and continuously evolving phenomenon. New challenges emerge constantly and terrorists change their modus operandi to be able to circumvent existing controls. Terrorists use new financing streams, such as through small foundations; they use new techniques, such as crowd-funding platforms; and they also use new sources, such as organized crime. We therefore need to be vigilant and update our counter-measures where necessary. For the European Union, it is important to improve the transparency of the beneficial ownership of companies and trusts, as criminals are known to exploit opaque structures as a means to hide their sources of funding or circumvent sanctions regimes. It is also very important to enhance inter-agency cooperation. In that regard, the EU has strengthened its anti-money-laundering directive and the criminalization of terrorism financing; developed a new asset-freezing regime against Al-Qaida and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant in 2016; and is in the process of adopting legislation to ensure that law enforcement has access to bank account information in specific cases of serious crime or terrorism and to promote stronger cooperation between law enforcement and financial intelligence units. Terrorist attacks by small cells and small actors have been carried out in the European Union with very small amounts of funding. Those low-amount transactions may not be easy to detect by financial entities. Therefore, we need to bridge the intelligence gap and improve the use of financial information in counter-terrorism investigations. In that respect, we support intensifying and accelerating the timely exchange of information and financial intelligence, as reflected in resolution 2462 (2019). Several countries have established public-private partnerships in the area of financial intelligence, such as among public prosecutors, the police, financial intelligence units and private companies. The European Union is providing substantial financial support to projects looking at the developments of such partnerships in the EU and beyond, and we are glad to see that resolution 2462 (2019) also calls for the establishment of public-private partnerships in the financial sector. While it is important to counter the financing of terrorism, we should ensure that any measures taken do not limit the space in which humanitarian actors can operate in a principled manner, in particular in high-risk and fragile contexts in which their assistance is greatly needed. We therefore underline that the implementation of measures to counter the financing of terrorism should be in full compliance with international law  — in particular human rights law, international humanitarian law and international refugee law — and that mitigating measures, including where there are relevant humanitarian exceptions, should be introduced to reduce the impact on humanitarian actors. Moreover, all States should ensure that activities by non-profit organizations, including those working on gender-related issues and women’s rights as well as reconstruction and stabilization, are not unduly restricted. In conclusion, we would like to reiterate that coordination and international cooperation between Member States and United Nations entities in the field of counter-terrorism are key to learning from each other and supporting targeted technical assistance and capacity-building efforts. We believe that combining our international efforts can help us all to move closer to our objective, which is to prevent and counter the financing of terrorism.

I now give the floor to the representative of Switzerland.

I would first like to thank the organizers for this opportunity to address the important topic of combating the financing of terrorism. The fight against terrorism, and in particular its financing, as well as preventing the violent extremism and radicalization conducive to terrorism, are priorities for Switzerland. As a financial centre of global importance, Switzerland has a particular responsibility. Its commitment has been recognized by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), to which it has demonstrated the strength and effectiveness of its anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism- financing mechanisms. Switzerland is actively involved in the development and implementation of international standards in this area. I would like to highlight two points and make an appeal. First, in order to be effective at the global level, combating the financing of terrorism requires a strong commitment on the part of all States, particularly within specialized multilateral forums such as the FATF and FATF-affiliated regional entities. The key strength of those bodies, which makes them undeniably effective, is the system of mutual assessment based on a common, precise and transparent methodology of evaluation and monitoring. In that regard, we must be careful so as not to duplicate evaluation efforts, but rather make them complementary, share results and ensure a follow- up process in put in place. Secondly, although laws against terrorism and terrorist financing are critical, they do not address the root causes of terrorism, including poverty, the lack of governance, corruption, inequality, the lack of education and a dearth of future prospects for people. Efforts to combat terrorism must therefore be deployed upstream and targeted at preventing violent extremism and radicalization, which are conducive to terrorism, as well as fostering economic development and international cooperation. The strengthening of standards in the fight against the financing of terrorism in recent years, together with the sanctions system, in some cases has led to disengagement within the financial sector, particularly among international banks. That has a considerable impact on the capacities of humanitarian organizations to fund their activities in line with international humanitarian law, particularly in regions controlled by listed terrorist groups. Switzerland recalls that humanitarian activities that are neutral, impartial and independent should never be considered as lending support to terrorism. However, disengagement on the part of the financial sector not only affects people in need of humanitarian aid but also legitimate international trade in general and the fragile economies of developing countries in particular. For those reasons, Switzerland calls upon the international community, including the Security Council and its subsidiary bodies, to ensure that counter-terrorism measures are as focused as possible and in line with international law, particularly international humanitarian law. Switzerland regrets that today’s resolution 2462 (2019) is not more explicit concerning those aspects. It must therefore be ensured that the implementation of the resolution is fully consistent with international humanitarian law. In that regard, Switzerland calls on Member States to take all the necessary precautions to avoid any counter-productive or detrimental effects, both on the essential work carried out by humanitarian organizations and legitimate economic activities that drive the development of the States concerned. To that end, Switzerland encourages all States, the financial sector, donors and humanitarian actors to bolster dialogue on managing and sharing the risks and responsibilities linked to the fight against the financing of terrorism.

I now give the floor to the representative of Singapore.

I thank France for convening this important open debate. Singapore was very pleased to co-sponsor resolution 2462 (2019), adopted this morning. As a country with an open economy, international transport hub and responsible financial centre, Singapore has always strived to do its part in the global effort against terrorism financing. In our view, there are three key elements to a strong regime to counter the financing of terrorism. First, there must be good governance. Given the cross-sectoral nature of terrorism financing, Singapore adopts a whole-of-Government approach to put a strong legal, institutional, policy and supervisory framework in place. In that regard, we established a high-level steering committee on anti-money-laundering and terrorism financing in 1999 to drive the development of our national policies for terrorism financing and ensure that our systems adhere to the latest international standards and best practices. Our domestic legislation enables our enforcement authorities to take swift action against terrorists, terrorist entities and their supporters, including financiers of terrorism. In particular, the terrorism suppression of financing act was enacted in 2002 to give effect to the United Nations International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, as well as resolution 1373 (2001). The act criminalizes the provision of property and services for terrorist purposes and confers powers to seize and confiscate terrorist property. We regularly review our legislative measures to ensure that our regime for countering the financing of terrorism remains effective. In November 2018, we passed the serious crimes and counter-terrorism act in Parliament. To deal with money laundering and terrorism financing risks from the precious stones and metals dealers sector, we passed another act in Parliament as recently as last month. Singapore has also passed the payments systems act to tackle similar risks from the use of virtual assets. The second pillar of Singapore’s strategy is active partnerships with industry. National efforts cannot be driven by the Government alone. Governments must engage industry and the private sector to be better aware of the practical challenges on the ground. That builds a deeper sense of trust and shared ownership, which in turn fosters a stronger culture of compliance. Singapore established the Anti-Money-Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Industry Partnership in April 2017, which brings together Government and private sector stakeholders to identify, assess and mitigate key and emerging money-laundering and terrorism-financing risks in Singapore. The third pillar of our action is international cooperation, because ultimately an effective response cannot be limited to the national level. Given the global nature of the terrorist threat, the international community is only as strong as its weakest link. We must work with one another through bilateral, regional and international mechanisms to boost our collective security. Singapore has participated actively in such mechanisms at the international level. We have been a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) since 1992. We are also a founding member of the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering — an FATF-style regional grouping established in 1997. The Suspicious Transactions Reporting Office is Singapore’s equivalent of a financial intelligence unit. We have also been a member of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units since 2002. We participate actively in the Financial Intelligence Consultative Group under the regional Counter-Terrorism Financing Summit organized by the financial intelligence units of Australia and Indonesia. Our authorities maintain close working relationships with various enforcement and intelligence agencies internationally. The FAFT has been a key node, contributing to the fight against terrorism and terrorism financing. Its work in identifying typologies  — for example, in Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and A1-Qaida — has been invaluable and should continue to be strongly supported. Let me conclude by reiterating Singapore’s unwavering commitment to combating the financing of terrorism. Maintaining domestic vigilance and broadening international cooperation are important for our collective success.

I now give the floor to the representative of India.

We applaud France for convening this open debate during its presidency and are grateful for its leadership in piloting resolution 2462 (2019), adopted today to combat terrorist financing. Terrorism is a scourge that is tearing at the fabric of societies across the globe. It is a menace that is restricted to any given region. People now live in fear of terrorist threats in countries across the world. Combating terrorism is viewed by many States and their people as one of the most fundamental security policy priorities that requires global responsiveness. The Council’s response today, in some measure, answers a felt need. Terrorists rely on resources to sustain themselves and their activities across the world. Effective and sustained efforts aimed at countering terrorist financing is at the heart of the issue of addressing terrorism. We therefore welcome this initiative to bring together various existing norms and regulations in a comprehensive manner. It is a milestone in global efforts to set up a normative framework to criminalize terrorist financing. We specifically welcome the recognition in resolution 2462 (2019) of the essential role of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in setting global standards, especially in the context of preventing and combating money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing. India appreciates the work done by the FATF and the regional FATF-style bodies. As the saying goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating; the utility of any Council resolution will therefore be in its implementation. The Council, Madam President, has made a start today under France’s leadership. We hope that it will follow through on the various crucial provisions of today’s resolution with focus and perseverance towards its implementation. In that context, let me give an example of precept not being followed in practice. First, many Council resolutions, including the various sanctions measures under the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities, and the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011), where and asset freeze is a core part of States’ obligations, call for regular reporting under those measures. A cursory look at the publicly available information on the website would reveal that the implementation reports on the sanctions measures have not been updated for years  — and in some cases for more than a decade. Now is the time to reiterate the need to address that shortcoming. Secondly, while we welcome the resolution’s focus on ensuring full compliance with the measures imposed by the Security Council, no effective action is taken on instances of reported non-compliance with the sanctions measures. The Council can — and needs to — do a better job at overseeing the implementation of its resolutions relating to terrorist financing. The report of the 1267 Committee Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team dated 15 January (see S/2019/50) notes that Member States have reported to the Monitoring Team on an ad hoc basis on the issue and that a comprehensive review of frozen assets has not been undertaken. The report recommends that the Committee write to Member States in that regard. We hope to see action on such recommendations. Thirdly, we welcome the Council and its various bodies taking note and rectifying such instances of non-implementation so as to enhance awareness and the effective implementation of the various Council resolutions on counter-terrorism. We believe that work could be strengthened with more cooperation between the FATF and the various United Nations entities, including the Office of Counter-Terrorism. Bodies such as the FATF have listed risks posed by Da’esh, Al-Qaida, Jama’at-ud-Da’wah, the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, the Haqqani Network and persons affiliated with the Taliban. Those are a few instances where more, not less, focus is needed. Non-compliance with crucial sanctions measures in the case of United Nations-proscribed terrorists and entities places all of us Member States at a high risk of facing challenges from terrorist organizations that are well-funded and armed, despite international measures. Terrorists are going to be ever more creative in finding ways to violate the rulebook. Furthermore, the unfortunate reality is that States that are terrorist apologists will continue to provide alibis to justify their actions, as well as their inaction, as was done by a serial offender earlier today. Nevertheless, we, the international community, must remain determined. We need to continue evolving our toolbox and follow our rulebook, instead of getting distracted and straying from our path. Our toolbox, consisting of the effective implementation of United Nations measures, could assist in curtailing terrorist activities. The global community is impatient for action. Going forward, the United Nations collectively needs to do more and do it much more effectively. For its part, India will be a willing partner in this endeavour.

I now give the floor to the representative of Liechtenstein.

I thank you, Madam President, for this opportunity to address this important topic in an open debate. We welcome the fact that a new Security Council resolution (resolution 2462 (2019)) provides an updated basis for the prevention and countering of the financing of terrorism. At the same time, we would like to put our view on record that open debates should inform the drafting process, and therefore be conducted before the adoption of a resolution as a way of increasing accountability and inclusion of the wider membership. Liechtenstein is steadfast in its commitment to ensure that its financial centre is not involved in any form of criminal activity. The prevention and countering of terrorist financing remains a top priority. Strong domestic legislation must be promoted. Well-funded and operationally independent financial intelligence units are instrumental in the effective implementation of such legislation. The Liechtenstein financial intelligence unit has been the backbone of our domestic efforts to counter terrorism financing over the past 16 years. As part of its activities, the Liechtenstein unit, through the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, assists other countries in increasing the capacities of their units, appreciating that capacity-building is a vital component in the joint global effort to curb terrorism financing. Liechtenstein, as a member of the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money-Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism, also underlines the importance of properly resourced FATF- style regional bodies. Liechtenstein is particularly alarmed by the growing link between terrorism, human trafficking and modern slavery. Human trafficking and slavery-related crimes are increasingly employed as a terrorist tactic and as a fundraising instrument for terrorist groups. The Security Council has recognized that link by listing human traffickers under the sanctions regime of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011), concerning Libya. Liechtenstein supports a more consistent practice in that regard and encourages further discussion, including on a possible thematic sanctions regime. In order to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking, Liechtenstein — together with its partners, Australia and the United Nations University  — has launched a financial sector commission, also known as the Liechtenstein initiative. That was partly in response to the Council’s appeal for collaboration between States and the financial sector in the fight against these crimes. In the commission, actors from retail banks, hedge funds, global regulators, institutional investors and survivors, as well as the United Nations and the anti-slavery movement, are brought together to elaborate actionable measures for the global financial sector. The outcome of the work of the Liechtenstein initiative will be presented during high-level week in September. We are keenly aware that the increased use of new technologies, in particular blockchain, provides both risks and opportunities in the fight against terrorism financing. Liechtenstein is currently introducing a regulatory framework in this area, including ensuring that existing and future due diligence standards are applied to new technologies with a view to avoiding legal and regulatory gaps. Liechtenstein also continues to strongly advocate for upholding rule-of-law standards, human rights law and international humanitarian law when countering terrorism. We appreciate the work of the Ombudsperson for the sanctions regime of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh) Al-Qaida and associated individuals groups undertakings and entities. We support the institutional strengthening and expansion of the office to other sanctions regimes. The Council also has a responsibility to ensure that its sanctions do not unduly restrict humanitarian action. The Council’s policy in that regard remains sketchy and inconsistent. We share the concerns that certain provisions of Security Council resolutions may lead to the de facto or de jure obstruction of humanitarian action. Liechtenstein encourages the Council to issue consistent guidance to States to avoid unintended consequences in the implementation of its resolutions and to adopt a more coherent approach to ensure that humanitarian actors are given the necessary space to operate.

I now give the floor to the representative of Norway.

I present this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries  — Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and my own country, Norway. We would like to thank France for its continued efforts in preventing and combating the financing of terrorism and for keeping this issue high on the international agenda. We see today’s meeting as an important follow-up to the high-level International Conference on Combating the Financing of Da’esh and Al-Qaida, hosted by President Macron last year. Networks such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Al-Qaida continue to rely on external funding, which is essential to run their organizations, recruit fighters, buy weapons, disseminate their propaganda and move across borders. That financing must be cut off. To identify and stop illicit financial flows to terrorist organizations and criminal networks, we must disrupt the link between organized crime and terrorism. To that end, we believe in combining measures targeted at the proceeds of crime and measures targeting financial flows to terrorists. International cooperation is crucial. All countries must implement the relevant Security Council resolutions. To ensure comprehensive and effective cooperation, we must utilize regional instruments and existing legal mechanisms to exchange information, provide mutual legal assistance and form joint investigative teams. To effectively counter terrorist financing, it is vital to strengthen the exchange of information and financial intelligence and respond quickly to requests for cooperation. When evidence of value to another country is uncovered, it should be speedily shared, while paying particular attention to the quality of the information. By assisting each another in developing our national counter-terrorist financing systems, we can secure a holistic approach to international cooperation. We need to make sure that our financial intelligence units have the technology needed to analyse information and recognize and uncover trends, patterns and indicators of terrorist financing, as well as the ability to share that information across borders. We need to improve our partnership with civil society and the private sector in that regard and ensure that our efforts avoid discouraging or disrupting legitimate civil society activities. We must also take into consideration the concerns raised by humanitarian actors about the unintended negative impact that measures to prevent and counter terrorism financing can have on their ability to address humanitarian needs and implement programming according to humanitarian principles. We encourage expanding the toolbox and developing initiatives to deal with the nexus between terrorism and organized crime more effectively. Such tools may include information-sharing, criminal justice and border controls and addressing radicalization. The different aspects of these global security challenges are connected. They must be addressed both within the security pillar and as part of advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

I now give the floor to Mr. Roux.

At the outset, I would like to congratulate France, home to INTERPOL headquarters, on organizing the high-level International Conference on Combating the Financing of Da’esh and Al-Qaida, held in Paris last year on the theme “No money for terror” in April 2018, the holding the recent Arria Formula meeting and on the adoption of resolution 2462 (2019), on combating the financing of terrorism. The resolution is an essential component of the mechanism to counter this threat, which our member States will now be able to combat with new tools. I would also like to thank Council members for including INTERPOL in the provisions of the resolution, which encourages them to make the best use of the databases and analytical tools available to the 194 States members of INTERPOL. I have heard clear appeals for the concrete implementation of the resolution, which will be the subject of my brief statement today. The fight against the financing of terrorism is one of the five pillars of the INTERPOL global counter- terrorism strategy, which runs alongside, and remains at the disposal of, law enforcement and financial intelligence units to trace and take down financial mechanisms for the financing of terrorism. In addition to that specific paragraph of the resolution, references to the mandate and know-how of INTERPOL are found throughout the text. With regard to the text’s call upon States to enhance the exchange of information between police and financial intelligence units, our criminal analysis file on foreign terrorist fighters  — which currently includes 50,000 profiles — contains financial information, personal data and information on social networking accounts, thereby allowing cross-checks useful to criminal investigations. In line with paragraph 19 of resolution 2462 (2019), we have also long been recommending providing direct access to our I24/7 secure network and our 17 databases to financial intelligence units. INTERPOL also has observer status within the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, as well as the Financial Action Task Force, enabling common multilateral action in this area and maintaining closer cooperation with the World Customs Organization. Within the United Nations framework, INTERPOL is an active member of the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, further strengthening our cooperation with key United Nations entities such as the Office of Counter-Terrorism, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and UNESCO, to name but a few. I would like to mention the INTERPOL services referred to in paragraph 31 of resolution 2462 (2019). Our member States, first of all, can benefit from and make use of our database of lost or stolen travel documents, which to date contains 85 million entries. Terrorists often use such falsified  — or genuine but stolen  — documents in conflict zones to carry out illegal financial transactions. Member States may also request the issuance of an INTERPOL notice regarding any actor, or to report any modus operandi relating to the financing of terrorism. That will make the information available to all or some of our member States, each State always retaining full control over the dissemination of its information via our secure communication channels. As I have already mentioned, we currently have 50,000 foreign terrorist fighters on file with information gathered from those notices on each of them. In conclusion, I wish to recall — as does resolution 2462 (2019)  — the importance of sanctions regimes. Today INTERPOL is distributing, for the benefit of 10 of the 14 United Nations sanctions committees, more than 600 special notices concerning sanctioned entities or individuals, more than half of which are for the 1267 Committee alone. That facilitates both travel bans and the seizing of criminal assets. Our headquarters, based in Lyon, France, and my Office here in New York are at the disposal of any delegation seeking further information or clarifications on this matter.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

It is an honour for the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to speak on behalf of the 120 member States that make up the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. Due to lack of time, I shall read out a summarized version of our statement. The Non-Aligned Movement takes this opportunity to renew its commitment to the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, considering it one of the gravest dangers and threats to international peace and security. Any act of terrorism is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation as well as where, when and by whom it is committed. Acts of terrorism are among the most blatant violations of international law, including international humanitarian law, in particular the right to life, as they deprive people of the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms. Such acts endanger both the territorial integrity and stability of States, as well as national, regional and international security, while destabilizing legitimately constituted Governments, existing constitutional order and the political unity of States. Against that backdrop, we believe it is necessary to address in a comprehensive way the conditions that facilitate the spread of terrorism. Experience shows us that terrorist groups are fuelled by, among other things, hopelessness, injustice, frustration, the lack of opportunity and the denial of human rights and fundamental freedoms in order to promote their criminal agenda based on hatred, intolerance, sectarianism and extremism. Poverty, social and economic inequalities; political, ethnic and religious intolerance, as well as the imposition of unilateral coercive measures, colonial and foreign domination and foreign occupation, as well as violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, among others factors, are also part of the fabric of so-called determining drivers of terrorism. The Movement expresses its determination to take prompt and effective measures to eliminate international terrorism and, in that context, urges all States, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, to comply with their obligations, under international law and international humanitarian law, in the fight against terrorism by prosecuting or, where appropriate, extraditing the perpetrators of acts of terrorism; preventing the organization, instigation or financing of acts of terrorism against other States from within or outside their territories or by organizations based in their territories; refraining from organizing, instigating, assisting, financing or participating in acts of terrorism in the territories of other States; and refraining from encouraging activities within their territories aimed at the commission of acts of terrorism and from allowing the use of their territories to plan, train or finance such acts; and refraining from supplying arms or other weapons that could be used in terrorist acts in other States. The Member States of the Movement note that the financing of terrorism is a matter of great concern that must be fought with determination. We therefore reiterate the obligation of the international community to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts and to criminalize the intentional provision or collection, by any means, directly or indirectly, of funds by their nationals or in their territories with the intention that they be used, or with the knowledge that they might be used, to commit terrorist acts. On that point, it is worth noting the increase in recognized potential links between transnational organized crime and the financing of terrorism. We therefore stress the need to promote cooperation in the fight against those criminal activities. We encourage United Nations entities to cooperate with Member States and continue to provide assistance, upon request, to implement their international obligations in the fight against the financing of terrorism. We also recognize the importance of sharing information and good practices, through our financial intelligence units, domestically and among Governments, in order to effectively combat the financing of terrorism. In conclusion, the 120 Member States that make up the Movement express their full solidarity with those countries that recently suffered from terrorist acts. Allow us now to make a few comments in our national capacity. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to combating terrorism and its financing. Our resolve is all the greater today, given that our country is a victim of terrorist attacks, including against our vital infrastructure, including our national electric system, in flagrant violation of resolution 2341 (2017), and against our own Head of State, as occurred in August 2018 when there was a failed assassination attempt was carried out against President Nicolás Maduro Moros. In that regard, we conclude our statement by denouncing before the international community the fact that the terrorist activities against Venezuela are planned, instigated, implemented and financed using resources that have been stolen from our nation as part of a campaign of aggression that has the backing of foreign Powers whose policies and practices are a threat to peace and security, both at the international level and for my country. We therefore urge the Security Council to insist that its resolutions be implemented to the letter and to reject the use of terrorist practices as a political weapon against our legitimate Government institutions.

I now give the representative of Qatar.

At the outset, I would like to congratulate your country, Mr. President, on its presidency of the Security Council and to welcome the participation this morning of His Excellency Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France. I would like also to thank Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary- General, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism; Mr. Marshall Billingslea, President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF); and Ms. Mercy Buku for their valuable participation. Combating the financing of terrorism is an essential part of the comprehensive approach to combating the scourge of terrorism. It requires concerted and collective efforts within relevant international and regional arrangements. It also requires defining and combating the various ways used by terrorist groups to finance their activities, such as transnational organized crime, trafficking in cultural property, kidnapping, extortion and drug trafficking. Attention must also be paid to the evolving methods of financing, including cryptocurrencies and online gambling. Human trafficking is one of the methods used by terrorist groups to fund their terrorist activities. In that connection, I would like to note the study conducted by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate with regard to the links between human trafficking and the financing of terrorism, the results of which were presented on 6 February. The State of Qatar supported that study as it is aware of the importance of such studies in determining the most effective counter- terrorism policies. The State of Qatar has played an effective role as part of the collective efforts of the global coalition to defeat Da’esh. Those efforts recently succeeded in pushing Da’esh out of its last stronghold in Syria. That is part of our firm position against terrorism in all its forms and in support of the Syrian people in their fight against terrorism — be it the terrorism of Da’esh or the terrorism of the Syrian regime, whose policies were behind the emergence of that terrorist group in the first place. The State of Qatar seeks to comply fully with all international commitments on combating the financing of terrorism, including the major Security Council resolutions. The State of Qatar joined the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism of 1999 and other international conventions related to counter-terrorism. We have also stepped up our cooperation with regional and international partners, including the signing of bilateral and regional agreements on combating the financing of terrorism and the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the United States in 2017, which is the first of its kind in the region. The memorandum of understanding was implemented as a reflection of our commitment to joint action and the exchange of information and expertise. The State of Qatar also participated in the high- level International Conference on Combating the Financing of Da’esh and Al-Qaida, held in Paris last year on the theme “No money for terror”, which resulted in important decisions and measures with regard to identifying funding sources, information exchange, combating suspicious transactions and the misuse of new financial instruments. The State of Qatar actively participates in regional and international arrangements related to combating the financing of terrorism, including the FATF, and seeks to implement the 40 recommendations issued by it. We are one of the founding members of the FATF in the Middle East and North Africa region, as well as a member of the centre for combating terrorist financing. We are also cooperating with the International Monetary Fund and other United Nations specialized agencies. In order to strengthen our partnership with the United Nations in fighting terrorism and to support the priorities of the Secretary-General in that regard, we have signed an agreement with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism to support strategic initiatives aimed at combating the scourge of terrorism and strengthening the mandate of the Office. The State of Qatar will support the budget of the Office by providing $75 million over the next five years, namely, more than 70 per cent of its extra-budgetary resources. At the national level, the State of Qatar continues to strengthen the necessary legislation to combat terrorism and terrorism financing. The 2010 law on combating money-laundering and terrorism financing is the first of its kind in the region whose standards are a model to follow. We improved the law in 2018 to bring it in line with recent developments. In 2014 we issued Law No. 14 on combating cybercrimes and Law No. 15 on establishing charitable organizations. We established a national anti-money-laundering and terrorism financing committee, which includes representatives from law enforcement agencies, oversight agencies and other governmental institutions. The committee has adopted the national strategy to combat money- laundering and terrorism financing. It monitors relevant international developments and coordinates national training programmes. We also established an agency to organize charity work. Relevant State authorities seek international advisory expertise to develop national capacities. In conclusion, we stress the need to take advantage of international expertise of governmental and private sectors. We pay full attention in my country to this issue. The national anti-money-laundering and terrorism financing committee has taken advantage of international expertise in order to include the most prominent international standards for achieving financial integrity.

I now give the floor to the observer of the Holy See. Archbishop Auza: I would like to thank the French presidency for convening today’s debate on combating the financing of terrorism. At the outset, let me pay homage to the memory of all victims of terrorism, in particular the victims of the recent attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand — brothers and sisters of ours who died due to a senseless act of violence. Regrettably, in today’s world the scourge of terrorism has become almost commonplace. Our peoples live under constant fear of violent acts motivated by extremist ideology. Terrorists cause indiscriminate harm, often claiming as their victims the most vulnerable members of the human family. They target peacekeepers and peacemakers and humanitarian and development actors. They strike hotels, concert venues, public squares and places of worship. Terrorists must be denied access to the means that facilitate their criminal activities. Indeed, no one should be permitted to finance or to provide arms and ammunition to terrorists. Those who abet violent extremism or who shelter members of terrorist groups must be held accountable before a court of law. Similarly, all violations of international humanitarian law and crimes against humanity committed by terror groups must be vigorously pursued. As Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, jointly declared: “This is why it is so necessary to stop supporting terrorist movements fuelled by financing, the provision of weapons and strategy, and by attempts to justify these movements even using the media. All these must be regarded as international crimes that threaten security and world peace. Such terrorism must be condemned in all its forms and expressions.” To that end, all the relevant Security Council resolutions, as well as the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force, should be carefully implemented to follow the money and therefore prevent the profits of money-laundering, human trafficking, the illicit sale and trafficking in antiquities and the sale of weapons and ammunition from being used for terrorist purposes. One must also think of the scores of girls and women used and abused by terrorist groups to spread their dangerous ideologies. To effectively prevent the financing of terrorism, it is therefore indispensable to break its link with transnational organized crime, which both profits from it and favours its activities. Breaking those criminal networks and bringing criminals to justice would of course require regional and international cooperation. Vital to combating international organized crime and terrorism is the disruption of their cybercapabilities, which they use to recruit new members and raise funds. When resources are exploited for evil purposes, they are diverted from legitimate goals. Young people are deprived of education and learning and the elderly are deprived of care and medicines. People as a whole are deprived of their right to develop in peace and safety. To prevent terrorism, that cycle of misery must also be broken. Integral human development is key to preventing terrorism in the long term. At the same time, it is indispensable to ensure that measures to prevent and counter terrorism scrupulously respect human rights, the rule of law and international humanitarian law. In particular, there should be no conflict between preventing the financing of terrorism and providing humanitarian assistance. On the contrary, legitimate humanitarian activities by charitable organizations, including by faith- inspired organizations, contribute positively to the prevention of terrorism. The Council must therefore ensure that counter-terrorism measures do not limit or inhibit the capacity of non-governmental and charitable organizations to provide humanitarian aid to vulnerable groups or persons, such as emergency relief for refugees and displaced persons and medical services for the wounded. The Holy See unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, as no ideological, political, philosophical, racial, ethnic or religious reasons can justify or excuse terrorist acts. It is indispensable that effective measures be adopted to prevent terrorism in all its forms, including by draining and cutting off its financial resources. It is my delegation’s ardent hope that today’s debate will be an added catalyst for the international community to offer a coordinated response to such a serious threat to peace and security.

I now give the floor to the representative of Portugal.

Allow me to thank you, Sir, for convening today’s debate and to commend the excellent work done by France during its presidency of the Security Council. Portugal fully supports the statement made on behalf of the European Union and wishes to make some additional comments in its national capacity. Collective reflection on how to better combat and prevent the financing of terrorism is essential. Terrorists and their supporters constantly seek new ways to finance their activities and bypass existing mechanisms. Our response must therefore be as agile as the evolution of the threat. We must adapt instruments and measures to prevent terrorist groups from engaging in criminal activities. In that regard, we commend the work of the Security Council in recent years, which has laid the foundation for a normative framework and created an environment conducive to stronger international cooperation. I would also like to highlight the deepening of that normative framework through resolution 2462 (2019), adopted today, which we co-sponsored. Let me also commend the Secretary-General for his efforts to strengthen the counter-terrorism capacity of the United Nations. The Office of Counter-Terrorism plays a pivotal role in the implementation of the overall strategy, in particular by strengthening the capacities of Member States in that context. Portugal has a strong and effective regime in place for combating terrorist financing, in line with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force. My country is also active within the European Union in its efforts to improve the collective response to this constant threat. The operational authorities responsible for terrorist-financing investigations have access to a wide range of financial intelligence, including comprehensive national databases, and cooperate proactively with each other and with their foreign counterparts for investigative purposes. Portugal has adopted all the relevant international legal instruments on terrorism, with the exception of the Convention on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Relating to International Civil Aviation, whose ratification process is ongoing. In conclusion, terrorism is a serious and complex threat. To end it, we must work together in a flexible and coordinated manner. Portugal undertakes to support measures to strengthen international cooperation in that regard, including the effective prevention of its financing.

I now give the floor to the representative of Israel.

We thank Minister Le Drian of France for convening today’s important debate. We also thank Under-Secretary-General Voronkov, the President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Ms. Mercy Buku for their presentations. Terrorism financing and money-laundering is the fuel that fires the engine of terrorism. Therefore, to combat terrorism effectively, we must cut off the financial lifeline for terrorism and shut down its financers. Our region has witnessed the destabilizing and destructive role of terrorism financing. Palestinian terrorism continues to derail any hope or opportunity for peace. Hamas uses and abuses charitable organizations and humanitarian aid to fund its terror, while the Palestinian Authority spends hundreds of thousands of United States dollars annually to reward terrorists who have killed innocent Israelis, rather than use these critical funds to support economic development and pave the way to a brighter future for the Palestinian people. When it comes to the Iranian regime, it would take an entire day to outline how the number-one State sponsor of terrorism uses sophisticated methods to evade sanctions regimes and finance terrorism and its proxies worldwide. Its leading proxy, Hizbullah, is known to use and abuse international financial systems to illicitly fund its stockpiling of advanced weaponry and construction of terror-attack tunnels that infiltrate Israel. Many delegations today noted Hizbullah’s abuse of otherwise legitimate businesses, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, to finance their terrorist activities throughout the region. Israel is taking active and proactive steps to combat the unrelenting threats of terror that we face and the flow of funding that sustains them. These steps include drafting legislation and establishing institutions, infrastructure and mechanisms carefully designed to address this alarming phenomenon. In 2016, Israel enacted an innovative and comprehensive new anti-terrorism law that takes a holistic approach to fighting terrorism using legal tools. Beyond providing harsher sentencing for perpetrators of terrorism and enhanced due-process safeguards, this law introduces something new: it criminalizes the circles of influence that provide material and other support to terrorists and terrorist acts. Therefore, rather than targeting only the acts of terror themselves, the new law addresses the very pillars and foundations that support and finance terrorism. We hope this comprehensive anti-terrorism law can serve as a model worldwide. Beyond adopting domestic legislation, Israel has worked effectively to combat terrorism financing on the international front as well. Two years ago, Israel gained observer status with the FATF. In December 2018, the FATF published a national evaluation report in which Israel received the highest possible ratings in the areas of combatting terrorism financing and the effective use of financial intelligence. The report praised Israel’s strong and extensive anti-terrorism-financing institutions and positive inter-agency coordination, particularly among Israel’s Money-Laundering and Terror Financing Prohibition Authority, its security authorities, the national police, the Tax Authority and the Corporations Authority. It also highlighted our highly effective use of financial intelligence, leading to a large number of successful investigations and prosecutions, as well as Israel’s active and effective confiscation of proceeds of terrorism financing. As the FATF President noted in his briefing, Israel recently shared its experience and best practices in these areas in a recent FATF workshop. The report also noted that Israel is properly and wisely approaching the issue of the financing of terrorism holistically, as it looks not only at acts of terrorism financing themselves, but also their related activities, including cross-border smuggling, the abuse of charities and non-profits, trade-based financing of terrorism and vulnerable money-transfer mechanisms. As stated in the report, “Israel effectively deprives terrorists, terrorist organizations and terrorist financers of their assets and instrumentalities related to terrorism financing activities.” In the face of the Iranian regime’s State-sponsored terrorism worldwide, Israel has enacted comprehensive and effective counter-proliferation finance-targeted financial sanctions, which was also noted in the FATF evaluation. Overall, as the FATF report underlines, Israel implements targeted financial sanctions without delay, effectively implementing terrorist designations under resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 1988 (2011). Finally, Israel was an active participant at the high-level International Conference on Combating the Financing of Da’esh and Al-Qaida, held in Paris last year on the theme “No money for terror”. We look forward to contributing in future meetings, including the upcoming meeting in Australia. As noted by many of my colleagues, positive cooperation between the public and private sectors and early communication between national security authorities and financial institutions is key to effectively combating this phenomenon. Fostering this cooperation should be a priority. I would also like to highlight a number of existing and emerging threats that, in our view, must be given priority and addressed by the global community, including the threat of countries and entities that have the ability to collect funds and provide them to terrorist organizations; the abuse of charitable organizations by terrorist organizations; se1f-financing terrorist organizations supported by seemingly legitimate business operations; the smuggling of funds, goods and valuables through border crossings; and the abuse of emerging technologies to finance terrorism, including the use of electronic wallets and virtual assets. I am here today to share Israel’s knowledge of counter-terrorism — an expertise we have unfortunately gained due to decades of terrorism against our people. We hope to provide the United Nations, counter- terrorism bodies and fellow peace-seeking nations with best practices, practical solutions and cutting-edge technologies, so that together we can overcome this evil force.

I now give the floor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada.

I would like to begin by thanking France for organizing today’s open debate. Canada is proud to have co-sponsored resolution 2462 (2019) adopted this morning. We believe that it will contribute to strengthening our collective efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms. Today I would like to highlight one of the most serious terrorist threats of our time: white supremacy. (spoke in English) White supremacism and Islamophobia are among the gravest terrorist threats that the world is facing today. We were all reminded of this tragic reality on 15 March, when a white-supremacist terrorist killed 50 Muslims gathered in two mosques for Friday prayers in Christchurch, New Zealand. This attack was all too familiar to me, a Canadian. Two years ago, a terrorist killed six people in a Quebec City mosque. Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, incels, nativists and radical anti-globalists who resort to violent acts are a threat to the stability of my country and countries around the world. These attacks need to be at the top of our agenda when we talk about confronting terrorism. And when violence like this occurs in mosques, churches, synagogues or on the streets of our major cities, we must not be afraid to specifically condemn it for what it is: neo-Nazism, white supremacism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, terrorism. We cannot hide behind euphemisms that distract from truth. In fact, doing so puts our citizens, especially those from religious minorities and racialized communities, in greater danger. In the wake of acts of terrorism carried out by Muslim extremists, Western countries often call upon Muslim countries and Muslim leaders to condemn those attacks in the name of their people and their faith. It should follow that, as the Foreign Minister of a majority white and majority Christian country, I feel a specific and personal responsibility to denounce white-supremacist attacks in the same way. As my prime minister, Justin Trudeau, said in our House of Commons following the Christchurch attack, “[w]hen we fail to denounce hatred with total conviction, we empower those people and legitimize their violence”. Hatred, unfortunately, is eternal, but the ways in which it spreads change. Today, hatred is increasingly spread through the Internet — in online forums and on social media. We must be aware of this and work to stop it. Our work cannot be undertaken in isolation. Each of our countries will of course address this issue in different ways, but we need to recognize that this is ultimately an international problem, and we need to act collectively to address it. The Internet and social media know no borders, so we must work together to find ways to address online radicalization. And, on a final note, on behalf of Canada and Canadians, I would like to offer our support and compassion for the people of New Zealand. As fellow members of the Commonwealth, Canada and New Zealand have a close and historic relationship. We are more than friends; we are family. And Canadians felt great compassion and real pain following the terrible attacks in Christchurch. In particular, I would like to salute the moral leadership of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who has distinguished herself not only to the people of New Zealand but to the whole world.

I now give the floor to the representative of Morocco.

At the outset, I congratulate you, Mr. President, on your country’s accession to the presidency of the Security Council for the month of March and on the convening of this very important debate on preventing and combating the financing of terrorism. I would also like to thank Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism; Mr. Marshall Billingslea, President of the Financial Action Task Force; and Ms. Mercy Buku, expert in anti-money-laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, for their enriching briefings on the subject. Various countries have suffered despicable terrorist acts in recent months, the latest of which was perpetrated, to everyone’s disbelief, in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Morocco condemns that terrorist act in the strongest terms and expresses its solidarity with New Zealand and the families of the victims. On this occasion, we wish to reiterate our firm condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and stress that nothing can justify a terrorist act. We reaffirm that terrorism must not be associated with any religion, civilization, nationality or ethnic group. To counter the international community’s efforts to curb terrorist financing, terrorist groups are constantly adapting and renewing their financing methods. Between 2014 and 2016, terrorist groups led by Da’esh and Al Qaida spared no effort to secure the financing of their terrorist operations and recruitment activities for foreign terrorist fighters. Recruitment through incentives, including financing travel to areas of tension and issuing monthly payments, has enabled the flow of more than 40,000 terrorist fighters from more than 100 countries to Iraq and Syria. Terrorists have made every effort to ensure the financing of their despicable activities. They have found recourse, notably, in robbing banks and people and imposing taxes within the territories under their control; the illicit sale of cultural property and natural resources, such as oil; kidnapping for ransom; trafficking of all kinds, including in drugs, weapons and human beings, including women and children for sexual purposes; and money-laundering, among others. In addition, they have forged links with transnational organized crime networks to ensure the financing of their macabre projects. Hence, the importance of strengthening coordination efforts at the national, subregional, regional and international levels to address that serious problem, while respecting international law, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. The international community has taken the overall fight against terrorism, including its financing, seriously. The Security Council, through the adoption of a wide range of resolutions, including resolution 1373 (2001); resolution 2178 (2014), adopted at the peak of the influx of foreign terrorist fighters into Iraq and Syria; resolution 2199 (2015), concerning the illicit trade in oil; and resolution 2253 (2015), aimed at extracting the sources of terrorist financing, has therefore created the regulatory framework to address the financing of terrorism. The measures taken and the sanctions committees that have been established under the relevant Security Council resolutions have had an undeniable impact on the drying up of terrorist financing sources, including through the freezing of assets and the travel ban on individuals involved in terrorist financing. However, without the implementation of the provisions of the aforementioned resolutions and the intensification of cooperation between the private sector, especially the banking sector and the State, on the one hand, and States at the regional and subregional levels, on the other, tangible results cannot be achieved. To that end, the United Nations should provide guidance to Member States, including through capacity-building in technical cooperation programmes supervised by the United Nations Office of Counter- Terrorism, in particular through the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre. The Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate should also remain in contact with Member States, in particular through country visits, to assess and identify gaps in order to address them, including upgrading existing counter- terrorism laws. Morocco has a legal and regulatory arsenal for the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, including measures to restrict financial transactions and immediately freeze assets held in the names of individuals and entities subject to United Nations sanctions on the grounds of terrorism. Pursuant to article 37 of Law No. 43-05, on the fight against money-laundering, as amended, the Moroccan legislation gives full competence to the financial intelligence unit to receive and process requests from the Security Council concerning the freezing of property and assets for terrorist offences. Moreover, the Kingdom of Morocco, pursuant to resolution 2253 (2015), prepared a national report and submitted it to the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011). The report provided updated information on the actions and initiatives taken by the Kingdom with a view to ensuring the optimal implementation of the provisions of the relevant Security Council resolutions. It complements previous documents submitted by Morocco to the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism and highlights Morocco’s political commitment to its strategy in the fight against terrorism and its approach to implementing its obligations under the provisions of the aforementioned resolutions. Lastly, we welcome today’s unanimous adoption of resolution 2462 (2019), which Morocco co-sponsored, as it has done with other relevant Council resolutions, and paves the way to bridge any loopholes that terrorists may exploit.

I now give the floor to the representative of Kazakhstan.

I congratulate France on its successful stewardship of the Council in March and its decision to address this very timely and critical issue. We thank all our briefers, especially Under- Secretary-General Voronkov, speaking on behalf of the United Nations, for their contributions to today’s discussion. We applaud today’s adoption of the important resolution 2462 (2019), submitted by France, which we co-sponsored as we believe that the document provides great added value. We also share the view of the presidency that cooperation must be strengthened among the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and INTERPOL, other global and regional organizations, as well as banks, to enhance capacities to identify, analyse, investigate and share information about the financial sources and flows of terrorism. However, more needs to be done, above all with respect to effective implementation, including innovative practical measures to identify, track and take action against unregulated money-transfer services, as well as financial flows. Our efforts should include capacity-building, the utilization of financial investigative techniques in law enforcement, teaching prosecutors to win money-laundering cases and training financial supervisory and regulatory authorities to identify suspicious activity. We should also examine charities, underground banking entities and registered money-service businesses, among other entities. Likewise, there should be close and coordinated interaction between financial intelligence units and law enforcement agencies, with measures to curb crowd-funding, cryptocurrency and various gaming platforms that are widely used today as camouflage, under anonymity. Against that critical juncture, it is important that all Member States enact legislation that designates the financing of terrorism as a criminal liability, and should be in full compliance with the United Nations sanctions regime. Laws should be harmonized at the regional and global levels for reciprocal action, prosecution and extradition. We also need to ensure the support of media and civil society watchdogs to make our efforts successful. Turning to Kazakhstan’s work on today’s pressing topic, our national list to that end — prepared, inter alia, on the basis of the Security Council’s sanctions lists — consists of 2,000 persons and 90 organizations as of this month. Kazakhstan has concluded some 35 bilateral cooperation agreements with the financial intelligence units of other Member States. As a result, 46 supporters of radical religious ideologies were brought to justice for financing terrorist activities in Kazakhstan. The amounts sent abroad had been concealed through trade operations involving consumer goods and food, entrepreneurship, work on construction sites and camouflaged means. It is noteworthy that this involved tranches ranging from $150 to $2,000. In addition, in September 2018 our delegation officially launched and opened here in New York for signature a political document aimed at achieving a world free of terrorism by 2045. That instrument, which was signed by approximately 80 Member States, serves as an impetus to fulfil their obligations in countering the financing of terrorism. It calls for greater cooperation between border and customs control and criminal-justice structures, with early-warning systems and intelligence-sharing. To conclude, I would like to reiterate Kazakhstan’s commitment to confronting international terrorism and its financing in compliance with the relevant United Nations resolutions.

I now give the floor to the representative of Cuba.

The Cuban delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by the delegation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela speaking on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. Our country, in seeking to defend its independence and sovereignty, has suffered the consequences of heinous terrorist acts — externally organized, financed and implemented — that took the lives of 3,478 people and left a further 2,099 disabled. Those acts were in the main organized, financed and greenlit by the Government of the United States and committed by persons operating under its control and protection. Having been a victim of State-sponsored terrorism for decades has only strengthened Cuba’s position of principle and unshakeable determination to tackle terrorism, as reaffirmed once again in the recently adopted Constitution of the Republic. Cuba rejects and condemns all acts, methods and practices of terrorism in all their forms and manifestations, by whomever, targeting whomever and wherever they may be committed, irrespective of their motives, including State terrorism. We reiterate that the revolutionary Government of Cuba has never permitted, nor will it ever permit, the use of its national territory for the carrying out, planning or financing of terrorist acts against any other State, with no exception whatsoever. We condemn the harmful and illegal practices, which contravene the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, of certain States that finance, support and promote subversive terrorist acts aimed at undermining the constitutional order of other States, imposing regime change and spreading messages of intolerance and hatred against other peoples, cultures and political systems. To that end, they resort, inter alia, to the misuse and abuse of modern information and communication technologies as a tool to misrepresent and manipulate the facts to further their own ends. In that context, we reiterate our strong condemnation of the sabotage of the Venezuelan electricity grid, which constitutes a terrorist act aimed at harming the defenceless people of an entire nation, who are being held hostage in the unconventional war unleashed by the United States against the legitimate Government headed by comrade Nicolás Maduro Moros and the civil-military union of the Bolivarian Chavista people. The international community cannot allow certain States, under the pretext of an alleged combat against terrorism, to commit acts of aggression, undermine national sovereignty, interfere in the internal affairs of other States and commit flagrant violations of human rights or international humanitarian law. We strongly condemn the use of double standards, political selectivity and unilateral acts by some who attempt to justify their behaviour and draw up politically motivated lists, in violation of international law. All of this undermines the central authority of the General Assembly in the fight against terrorism. Cuba reiterates its commitment to continuing to cooperate and participate actively in the efforts of the United Nations to combat the scourge of terrorism, in keeping with the purposes and principles of the Charter and international law, as it is firmly convinced that that it is up to the Organization to lead the fight against terrorism. In compliance with the commitments it undertook as a State party to 18 international conventions in the field of counter-terrorism, Cuba has put in place various kinds of legislative, institutional and administrative measures to prevent and punish all terrorist acts and activities, including those linked to the financing of terrorism. Cuba has a specific criminal code for tackling criminal behaviour of a terrorist nature, Law 93 against acts of terrorism. In addition, Cuba’s penal code has criminalized money-laundering and the financing of terrorism. The Cuban State has set up a coordinating committee for the prevention and tackling of the financing of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as asset laundering and its predicate offences. In addition, the Central Bank of Cuba has a general directorate for investigations into financial operations, which acts as a financial intelligence unit and is charged with receiving, investigating and analysing reports of suspicious transactions linked to the financing of terrorism. Following Cuba’s joining the Financial Action Task Force of Latin America (GAFILAT), in December 2012, the Central Bank of Cuba signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the States members of GAFILAT. As part of this mechanism, Cuba is a signatory to 19 cooperation agreements in the field of financial intelligence and participates in the Asset Recovery Network. Cuba’s commitment and institutional capacity to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism was acknowledged by the Financial Action Task Force in 2014. Our country has been a part of the global network of financial intelligence units since 2015, when it joined the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units. In concluding, we wish to reiterate that the combat against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations requires an integrated approach, through direct action, prevention and concrete actions to eradicate its root causes. It is also crucial to provide international financial assistance and cooperation in order to create and build capacity for the combat against terrorism. Cuba has demonstrated, through practical examples, its ongoing readiness to cooperate with any State at the bilateral or multilateral level in the prevention and tackling of international terrorism, on the basis at all times of mutual respect and of the norms and standards of international law.

I now give the floor to the representative of Malaysia.

At the outset, let me join all who spoke before me in thanking you, Mr. President, for having convened this open debate on combating the financing of terrorism. Malaysia sees this meeting as timely amid our grave concern at the escalation in terror incidents in recent weeks, which has resulted in the loss of innocent lives and injury to many people, including Malaysians. Malaysia condemns in the strongest terms the senseless acts of terror carried out against innocent civilians and believes that those responsible must be brought to justice. There is an upward trend in the financing of terrorism in Malaysia owing to the fact that Da’esh and foreign terrorist fighters have adapted and decentralized. In Malaysia we have learned that this type of funding’s primary sources come through legitimate means, including self-funding from legitimate income, savings accounts, social-security withdrawals, financial support from family members and donations from the public. Self-funding is the most common way of raising funds for travel to conflict zones or conducting operations there. Cash is also moved physically across borders for terrorism-financing activities within our region and for foreign fighters travelling to or from conflict zones by taking advantage of Malaysia’s porous borders. Malaysian foreign terrorist fighters based overseas who want to return to Malaysia are also exploiting that vulnerability of our borders in order to re-enter the country illegally and undetected. We are seeing an increase in the use of bank accounts to receive donations from sympathizers, move money from fundraisers to leaders of terrorist organizations and withdraw funds when terrorists are in conflict zones. In addition to the financial institutions concerned, remittance operators and hawala brokers are also reported to be preferred channels for moving funds abroad. However, while the risks of terrorism and terrorist financing are rising, they are being adequately contained by the relevant authorities. Malaysia emphasizes a number of strategic areas — a comprehensive regulatory framework, targeted preventive measures, focused enforcement action, public-private partnerships and domestic and international cooperation. We have established a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework that encompasses legislation such as our penal code and laws on the prevention of crime, on special measures against terrorism in foreign countries and on money-laundering, terrorism financing and proceeds of unlawful activities. That legislation has been put in place and amended to expand enforcement agencies’ investigative scope and power. Malaysia’s financial institutions continue to implement measures, including reporting suspicious transactions, to prevent their institutions from being used as a conduit by terrorists. In order to facilitate financial institutions’ ability to detect and disrupt terrorism activities at an early stage, the Financial Intelligence Unit issues red flags, typologies, weekly news bulletins and regular updates on terrorism-related resolutions and trends. A public-private sector platform was established in 2017 between the Royal Malaysia Police’s financial intelligence unit and select financial institutions, to enable a targeted approach involving the submission of higher quality and operationally focused suspicious transaction reports related to terrorist financing, resulting in a surge in high-quality suspicious transaction reports. Malaysia also enjoys a robust framework for national coordination and cooperation at both the policy and operational levels through our national coordination committee to counter money-laundering. With regard to action plans for terrorist financing, the focus includes integrating financial and terrorism investigations and prosecuting terrorist financing in parallel with terrorist offences. Concerning regional and international engagement, Malaysia remains committed to the agenda on anti-money-laundering and combating terrorist financing led by the Financial Action Task Force, the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering and the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units. Malaysia has an effective regulatory system and directly implements targeted financial sanctions against United Nations-designated persons and entities. We maintain our domestic designation of individuals and entities pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) and conduct effective oversight of both the financial and non-financial sectors. Malaysia joins other Member States in our common endeavour to enhance the work of the Office of Counter- Terrorism and other United Nations entities and support their important initiatives. Malaysia believes that it is important to realize that combating terrorist financing requires the commitment and determination of all countries.

I now give the floor to the representative of Viet Nam.

I thank you, Madam President, for giving me the opportunity to participate in this open debate. I would like express my appreciation to Under-Secretary-General Voronkov, Mr. Billingslea and Ms. Buku for their insightful briefings. Over the past few months, the world has continued to witness and suffer from heinous attacks of terrorism. Innocent civilians continue to be killed in many corners of the world. The landscape of terrorism has become more complicated than ever before. The financing of terrorism, including its fundraising tactics, is becoming increasingly diversified and sophisticated. In that context, I commend the holding of today’s open debate and will focus on several issues outlined in the concept note (S/2019/239, annex). First of all, it is crucial to implement the legal framework for counter-terrorism financing laid out in the various relevant Security Council resolutions. Resolution 2462 (2019), just adopted this morning, is an important tool for filling gaps and a timely response to the challenges we face. In that regard, Viet Nam has gradually harmonized its normative framework in order to align it with those resolutions, including by criminalizing all acts of terrorism and its financing, with serious penalties in our revised penal code and relevant specific laws for countering terrorism and money-laundering. We have also strengthened our international cooperation in that area. Facing the new challenges related to terrorist financing, we are of the view that the Security Council could consider further strengthening the implementation of existing sanctions regimes, including those under today’s resolution, with a view to effectively addressing new and emerging risks and trends related to the financing of terrorism. Secondly, we should consolidate collaborative action at all levels and through all channels. Viet Nam is actively participating in international efforts to prevent and combat the financing of terrorism. We became a member of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering in 2007. In 2014, we implemented a national plan of action for the period from 2015 to 2020, on money- laundering prevention and control and on terrorism financing, in order to fulfil the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force. At the regional level, we have joined the efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to implement the ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism and the ASEAN Plan of Action to Prevent and Counter the Rise of Radicalization and Violent Extremism for the 2018- 2025 period. Bilaterally, we have concluded several mutual legal assistance agreements in criminal matters. We have also established a network for cooperation and information-sharing and exchange with the law- enforcement agencies of more than 20 countries. Given the current complexity of the financing of terrorism, my delegation stresses how vital it is to intensify cooperation among States in sharing information on suspected transactions, capacity-building and the transfer of technology to address the threats posed by new financing methods. Thirdly, Governments should maintain effective collaboration with the private sector and the relevant stakeholders. The State Bank of Viet Nam, our central bank, works closely on regulatory inspection with all institutions to monitor, inspect and ensure their transactions’ safety, security and preparedness with regard to counter-terrorism. Information regarding suspected transactions is regularly exchanged between law-enforcement agencies and our international counterparts. In conclusion, I would like to once again reaffirm my Government’s commitment and determination to work closely with States and other international partners in the fight against terrorism, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant international obligations.

I now give the floor to the representative of Bangladesh.

I would like to thank the French presidency of the Council for convening this open debate on the important issue of preventing and combating the financing of terrorism. I also want to commend France’s leadership in facilitating the adoption of resolution 2462 (2019) this morning. We are pleased to join the international community in fulfilling all its obligations. I congratulate all Security Council members for their important contribution to the resolution. I would also like to thank Under- Secretary-General Voronkov and the other briefers for sharing their insights on the issue at the beginning of the meeting. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, and I would like to add the following points in my national capacity. Terrorism and violent extremism are major challenges to global peace and security and development. Bangladesh is no exception to the suffering from that menace. As I speak, five Bangladeshi families still mourn the deaths of their near and dear ones who were killed in the terrorist attack carried out in a mosque in New Zealand on 15 March. As our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated time and again, Bangladesh maintains a policy of zero tolerance towards all forms of terrorism, including the financing of terrorism, both nationally and internationally. Bangladesh believes that no act of terrorism shall be condoned because of its circumstances, method or objective. In other words, a terrorist must be identified only as a terrorist, irrespective of his or her race, colour, creed or religion. As a matter of principle, Bangladesh does not allow its territory to be used by any individual, group or entity against any other State or individual. Bangladesh also continues to adhere to the relevant human rights and humanitarian principles in counter-terrorism efforts. I would like to share with the Council what Bangladesh has done and is doing at the national and international levels to prevent and combat terrorism financing. We formulated and enacted the Money Laundering Prevention Act and Anti-terrorism Act in 2002 and 2009, respectively. Those Acts later went through several amendments to meet the international standards. They contain appropriate provisions to respond to the request of foreign countries to identify, freeze, seize and confiscate the proceeds of crime and related property. Our Government has also established a Cabinet-level task force to strengthen the investigation and to coordinate the activities on countering extremism, terrorism and terrorist financing. To complement those policy efforts, we have also brought about reforms at the operational level to implement the provisions of such Acts and rules and on countering illicit financing. We have set up and redesigned the relevant institutions. The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit is one such organization, which works as the national central agency for receiving, analysing and disseminating suspicious transactions reports, cash transaction reports and any information related to money laundering and the financing of terrorism. A counter-terrorism and transnational crime unit was also established within our police authorities to deal with any form of cybercrime and transnational crimes such as making fake currency notes, drug trafficking and smuggling firearms. For the necessary coordination among intelligence and law enforcement agencies on the counter-terrorism and anti-terrorist financing drive, a high-powered working group was formed with representatives from all intelligence and law enforcement agencies. As part of our international cooperation and obligations, Bangladesh has taken all possible measures in compliance with the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and resolutions 1373 (2001), 2178 (2014), 2347 (2017) and 2396 (2017), including updating our domestic laws and setting up the mechanisms that I have just shared with the Council. As part of our commitment to the eventual elimination of terrorism in all its forms, Bangladesh acceded to all 14 United Nations and international anti-terrorism conventions and protocols. Bangladesh is very much engaged with the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001), the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team and the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force. In order to provide broader international cooperation, our Financial Intelligence Unit works very closely with the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering, the Financial Action Task Force and the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units. Although the influence and financial strengths of terrorist outfits are diminishing to a certain extent, we cannot underestimate their potential capacity. Therefore, we must remain vigilant. In that regard, we may consider the following elements. The first is awareness-raising and knowledge sharing. In view of sustainable development approaches and the promotion of inclusive financing mechanisms, the risk of the misuse of funds is increasing. We therefore need to expand and broaden awareness against terrorist financing to reach a wider public. Secondly, to fill the existing knowledge gap, we can work to build a new financial security toolkit based on the field-level experiences of different countries and share that new knowledge with all relevant stakeholders. With regard to capacity-building, further training and capacity-building to equip Governments and institutions with the necessary knowledge to counter modern technology-oriented Internet-based terrorist financing are necessary. On the coordination front, coordination among field-level mechanisms within and among countries, including coordination across sectors such as money laundering, drug trafficking, human trafficking and organized crime, can be increased. National Governments should devote more efforts to coordinating with non-governmental organizations and charitable organizations to prevent the misuse of their funds for terrorism-financing purposes In conclusion, let me once again affirm that Bangladesh, as a responsible and responsive nation, will work closely with the international community to deny transit, sanctuary or safe haven to foreign terrorist groups and to develop and implement further global standards to combat terrorism and terrorist financing. We also look forward to working closely with the United Nations system, in particular with the Security Council, to facilitate the full implementation of the resolutions relating to terrorism and terrorist financing, including the one adopted today.

I now give the floor to the representative of Iraq.

At the outset, I would like to congratulate the Republic of France and to thank you, Madam President, for convening this important meeting at which the new resolution 2462 (2019) was adopted. My country welcomes this resolution as a new and important step in preventing and combating the financing of terrorism. I would also like to thank Equatorial Guinea for its efforts during its presidency of the Security Council last month. I thank as well Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, Mr. Marshall Billingslea, President of the Financial Action Task Force, and Ms. Mercy Buku, expert on money laundering, for their briefings this morning. The Government of my country reaffirms its condemnation of the terrorist attack against the two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, which led to the death of many worshippers. We commend the Government of New Zealand for its wise measures against terrorism in all its forms and whatever its source. Despite the military victory against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist group by all the units of the Iraqi forces, with the support of the international coalition and friendly countries, that victory is not enough to eliminate that group. In order to do that, we must adopt a comprehensive, structured and incremental approach, including by promoting the necessary measures to prevent and combat the financing of terrorism. The newly adopted resolution 2462 (2019) represents an important and practical step towards preventing and combating the financing of terrorism. The Government of my country does its utmost to combat terrorism, particularly to prevent its financing. In cooperation with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, we have launched four important projects, including one on measures to be taken to combat and prevent the financing of terrorism. We have also agreed on appointing a special adviser for those four projects. In addition, we have adopted and developed a national counter-terrorism strategy. A United Nations team visited Baghdad recently to take part in a national workshop, held on 4 February, to facilitate the implementation of those four counter- terrorism projects. My Government has taken a number of actions and measures to limit the financing of terrorist Da’esh, including, first, breaking the link between financial institutions in Iraq and the international financial institutions, especially those under the control of terrorist Da’esh or present in territories controlled by Da’esh or near its areas of control. Secondly, we have created a blacklist of financial institutions that are managed by the terrorist group Da’esh or involved in its financing, which we share with the 70 countries taking part in the international coalition to combat ISIL and other terrorist groups. Thirdly, we have signed a number of memoranda of understanding with international financial intelligence units in order to exchange information on the practices used by the terrorist group Da’esh in financial transactions. Fourthly, we have created a high-level committee in the secretariat of our Cabinet with the aim of freezing terrorist funds. The committee issues internal decisions, to be implemented locally, on freezing the funds of internationally designated individuals and entities included in the lists contained in decisions adopted by the Security Council’s sanctions committees. Lastly, we have developed a media strategy to raise awareness among practitioners of the ways and means that the terrorist group Da’esh uses to transfer money, with the aim of ensuring that those practitioners can avoid becoming involved in such activities.

I now give the floor to the representative of Lithuania.

Lithuania aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union and its member States earlier today. We would like to express our gratitude to France and its Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, for convening this open debate on preventing and combating the financing of terrorism, as well as for their continuing efforts to create opportunities to find responses to this chameleon of an international threat. I would also like to thank Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov, Mr. Marshall Billingslea, President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and Ms. Mercy Buku, the anti-money-laundering expert, for their valuable insights. We are pleased to note the new impetus given to the guidelines for countering terrorism financing by today’s resolution 2462 (2019), submitted by France, as one of the most constructive outcomes to the high-level International Conference on Combating the Financing of Da’esh and Al-Qaida, held in Paris in April 2018 on the theme “No money for terror”. The threat posed by terrorist financing in Lithuania has been assessed as low, and only one terrorist financing-related conviction has been recorded. However, no State is immune to terrorist activity within its borders, and the global nature of this threat requires a comprehensive response at every level, national, regional and international. Lithuania attaches great importance to full compliance with and implementation of the relevant security Council resolutions and appropriate recommendations of the United Nations bodies and FATF, as well the strengthened European Union regulations. Our national legislative framework has also been reinforced. In May 2015 our Parliament adopted a public security development programme for the period from 2015 to 2025. It focuses on security policy and public security planning, including counter- terrorism and terrorism financing. An inter-agency working group was established as a result, bringing together regulators, law-enforcement agencies and other Government entities to jointly identify, assess and mitigate key and emerging money-laundering and terrorism financing risks. In addition, in 2018 the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL) completed its assessment of Lithuania’s compliance with the principal international standards to counter money-laundering and the financing of terrorism and the effectiveness of its implementation of them. In its report, MONEYVAL concluded that Lithuania had resilient coordination mechanisms in place, including an anti-money-laundering coordination group and numerous active agreements on the exchange of information among authorities at the operational level. The evaluation team also reported positive feedback from the global network for combating money- laundering and the financing of terrorism with regard to the quality and relevance of Lithuania’s assistance. MONEYVAL also acknowledged that Lithuania had a sound legal and procedural framework for exchanging information with foreign partners in a comprehensive, proactive and timely manner, both upon request and spontaneously, and in line with its low-risk profile. Lithuania actively seeks international cooperation with other States, which has resulted in convictions and the seizure and confiscation of proceeds of crimes. The Bank of Lithuania has also rolled out a set of innovative consultation tools for financial-market participants on anti-money-laundering issues with a view to deepening their understanding of the implementation of the relevant supranational and national regulations. It is clear that cryptocurrencies have the potential to be used to finance terrorism and other forms of online crime. Even though bitcoin and similar digital assets were not used to fund any of the recent terrorist attacks, there is a worrisome trend of attempts to use them to finance online terrorist infrastructure. It is crucial to deter terrorists from conducting fundraising activities via social media, abusing pre-established crowd-funding networks and web-based services. We consider this an area of excellent opportunities for public-private partnerships and initiatives. The international community has countered the financing of terrorism with broad cooperation in tracking and cutting off funds through a range of initiatives that limit access to legitimate financial channels. However, it will remain essential to continue monitoring and enforcing all of our commitments, and it will continue to be vital to maintain political will, particularly when dealing with non-State actors and terrorists who are increasingly turning to new methods of financial support that are ever more difficult to curtail.

I now give the floor to the representative of Turkey.

I would like to thank the French presidency for convening this open debate and initiating the Security Council’s adoption of a new resolution on countering the financing of terrorism (resolution 2462 (2019)). We need to better understand the link between financial activities and terrorism, despite the fact that the nexus between financial and terrorist activities is becoming more complicated, with the emergence of new technologies and tools such as cryptocurrencies. We therefore attach great importance to strengthening international cooperation and mechanisms in the area. In that understanding, we were glad to be a sponsor of today’s resolution. Countering the financing of terrorism is an important element in Turkey’s overall counter- terrorism policies. Turkey is a committed member of the Financial Action Task Force, which sets the international standards on countering the financing of terrorism and money-laundering. Turkey’s national financial intelligence unit, MASAK, oversees the implementation of our national and international legal frameworks for countering the financing of terrorism and money-laundering. As a member of the Egmont Group’s international financial intelligence sharing platform, it works closely with its counterparts in this field. The Turkish National Police and MASAK work extensively together to prevent terrorists’ access to the Turkish financial system and to disrupt illegal money transactions. As in other areas of countering terrorism, Turkey also contributes to strengthening international efforts to counter the financing of terrorism and money-laundering through its constantly improving national capacity. Turkey supports the Security Council resolutions in this field, and we integrate them fully into our legal system. Accordingly, updates on United Nations sanctions lists pursuant to Council resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) are integrated expeditiously. Turkey has supported and sponsored a number of resolutions that included entities and individuals in those updates, and we will continue to play an active role in that area. We should also bear in mind that many terrorist organizations, such as Da’esh, the Kurdish Workers Party and its Syrian branch, Partiya Yekitiya Demokrat/ People’s Protection Units, also resort to conventional methods for money transactions, such as hawala, to finance their activities through front organizations. Other terrorist organizations, such as the Fethullah organization, benefit greatly from illegal monetary activities under the pretext of being legal entities, and engage heavily in shadowy criminal activities. In line with Security Council resolution 1373 (2001), asset freezing has proved to be an effective tool for depriving individuals and entities of their financial capabilities and preventing them from using and abusing legal financial systems. We believe that selective approaches in the implementation of this tool only promotes the degeneration of the system envisaged in resolution 1373 (2001). In that regard, consistency should be our guiding principle if we are to have an effective system to prevent financing of terrorism and bridge the gaps in this field. Clearly, the task of addressing financing of terrorism of is daunting. It requires ever-increasing international cooperation. We deem this resolution to be a step forward in the right direction. Turkey will continue to do its utmost to achieve further progress in this field in the period to come.

I now give the floor to the observer of the African Union. Ms. Mohammed: Allow me at the outset to congratulate France on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month and to thank you, Madam, for presiding over this important open debate on combatting the financing of terrorism. I would like to also thank all briefers for their insightful presentations. Today’s debate is indeed all the more relevant as it takes place against the background of ever-increasing challenges to international peace and security. And obviously, terrorism and violent extremism remain the most serious threat to our world’s stability and development. I wish to reiterate the African Union’s strong and unequivocal rejection of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, as well as its strong condemnation of all terrorist acts, which cannot be justified under any circumstances. I would like to reaffirm our full solidarity with the affected countries and victims, whose plight should be fully acknowledged and addressed. It is also our strong belief that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, race or nationality. In this regard, we note with major concern the growing capacity of terrorist groups to finance their activities by, among other things, running criminal/ illicit economies in areas under their control, engaging in the illegal exploitation of and trade in natural resources, kidnaping for ransom, arms, drugs and human trafficking, and other types of transnational organized crime. In this regard, permit me to elaborate on the following four points. First, financing remains the major vulnerability of the different terrorist groups. Indeed, the success of these groups in causing more atrocities largely depends on their ability to adequately and sustainably finance the preparation, planning and execution of terrorist attacks. Therefore, there is an urgent need for more concerted and coordinated efforts on the part of Member States to effectively deny terrorist groups any source of funding, including payment of ransom, as well as any form of military, logistical or political support. Secondly, if we are to effectively prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts, we need to take fully into account the terrorists’ continued ability to adapt their methods and innovate to meet their financing needs. In this vein, there is increasing evidence that terrorists are turning to transnational organized crime networks to generate funding and acquire logistical support to carry out their violent acts. They are taking advantage of existing financial systems and technologies, which they seek to float in order to transfer large amounts of cash to intended recipients. Similarly, there is evidence that terrorist groups use legitimate private and non-profit sectors to channel funding. However, the non-profit sector remains largely ill-informed about its vulnerability to exploitation by these extremist groups, and non-profit organizations are often small, informal and not properly regulated. Terrorist and extremist groups therefore take advantage of these weaknesses to illicitly move large amounts of money under the guise of implementing non-profit activities. Thirdly, continued efforts are required to ensure full compliance with the international and regional legal frameworks on combating the financing of terrorism. The African Union (AU) is fully committed to supporting its member States in implementing the already agreed measures and meeting the international standards in this regard. It will be recalled that the African Union had played a critical role in raising international awareness about the danger posed by the payment of ransom to terrorist groups, as illustrated by the decision adopted by the African Union Assembly on the issue in July 2009 and subsequent efforts to enhance the existing international frameworks. Fourthly, financial intelligence, including from the private sector, has been instrumental in tracking down terrorists behind most attacks globally, and also in Africa, and this has contributed to both the disruption of terrorist financing and to preventing further attacks. In this context, the strengthening of finance intelligence units remains a major component of the AU strategy to defeat terrorism and violent extremism. The establishment of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group is a reflection of the importance that the countries of the region, and beyond, attach to the need for cooperation and coordinated efforts in ensuring compliance with the regional and international standards against money-laundering and terrorist financing. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize once again the critical importance of cooperation among the Member States, both at the regional and international levels. Let us not forget that we are dealing with a borderless threat of global reach and that in our globalized society, no country is immune to its devastating impact. The international approach to reversing this scourge must be as comprehensive and as integrated as possible, while focusing on preventing and disrupting financial flows to terrorist and extremist groups.

I now give the floor to the representative of the United Arab Emirates.

I would like to thank France, and Foreign Minister Le Drian in particular, for convening today’s open debate on a critically important issue. France continues to be a leader in the fight against terrorism financing, and we applaud the new resolution 2462 (2019), which was adopted earlier today. The United Arab Emirates was proud to co-sponsor the resolution, and France can rely on our continued support in this area, but as Foreign Minister Le Drian said this morning, it is a strong political, not an end in itself, and much work remains to be done by the international community. As we have heard today, terrorism has no religion, race or nationality. It occurs everywhere, as we saw two weeks ago when 50 Muslims were viciously murdered and another 50 wounded during Friday prayers in Christchurch, New Zealand. The victims included four children, one of them just three years old. Despite the tragedy, the response of New Zealanders is an example for us all of how to remain resilient in the face of such abject horror. Fighting terrorism requires a multi-pronged strategy. It requires efforts to curb the hate that fuels the spread of extremist ideologies to individuals, such as the terrorist in New Zealand, or to groups, such as Al-Qaida or Da’esh. It requires action to dismantle the terrorist networks and support systems — whether offline or, increasingly, online in the digital sphere — that allow terrorists to organize. Crucially and most relevant to today’s discussion, it requires constant vigilance and monitoring of financial networks to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons, recruiting fighters or launching attacks. Member States must therefore tackle the abuse of financial institutions and non-profit organizations for terrorist-financing purposes. The United Arab Emirates fully understands this obligation, especially given that our country is a trade and financial services hub in the Gulf. We have taken a number of practical steps to secure our financial system that I would like to share with Council members today. These steps include strengthening our existing legal frameworks to combat terrorist financing, as we did in 2018 by implementing the latest Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations; providing our financial intelligence units with the equipment, resources and training they need to analyse and investigate suspicious transactions; monitoring financial transactions and charitable activities with private and non-profit actors, which are required under United Arab Emirates law to continuously identify, evaluate and document the risk of misuse of their services for criminal and terrorist activity; raising domestic awareness through various media platforms to prevent domestic funding of terrorism; and implementing laws and regulations to freeze terrorists’ funds, in accordance with resolution 1373 (2001). Despite our best efforts, the threat of terrorist financing remains, and there is more to work we can do in learning about and collaborating with partners to counter this threat. First, certain Member States continue to support and finance terrorist activity, undermining the Security Council’s efforts to maintain international peace and security. That has forced us and other concerned States to take sovereign measures. Secondly, there is a growing link between organized crime and terrorism. For example, Da’esh, Al-Qaida and other affiliated terrorist groups have looted, smuggled and sold cultural artefacts to finance their destructive operations. To combat this threat, the United Arab Emirates worked with France and UNESCO to establish the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas. Through that organization and other such programmes, we are working to rebuild and restore the invaluable cultural heritage of Mosul, Mali and other places where terrorists have sought to erase the very history of tolerance and inclusion that they so despise. Terrorism is a transnational threat that requires international and coordinated action. The United Arab Emirates is a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force, and we are working diligently to implement the FATF recommendations after each evaluation. The United Arab Emirates’ Anti-Money Laundering and Suspicious Cases Unit is a member of the Egmont Group and has signed more than 45 memorandums of understanding with national and international counterparts. These efforts, however, are just one step and part of a bigger picture. As combating terrorist financing requires constant international vigilance and improvement, we think that the United Nations system itself could strengthen its efforts by taking the three following steps. First, it must hold Member States accountable for their financing of terrorism when it occurs, especially when such actions violate relevant Security Council resolutions and their obligations under the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. Secondly, it should provide training to Member States when the Security Council adopts resolutions that create new obligations to curb terrorist financing. Thirdly, it should explore ways to curb the financing of extremism, particularly media platforms that spread hateful messages and create an environment where terrorist ideologies can thrive. The United Arab Emirates once again reiterates that it is committed to upholding its obligations to combat terrorist financing under international and regional treaties, as well as Security Council resolutions. We are ready to strengthen our global partnerships in this area and we will continue to share our expertise with our partners, and we very much look forward to learning from their experiences and best practices.

I now give the floor to the representative of Slovakia.

I thank you, Madam, for organizing this important debate on preventing and combatting the financing of terrorism. I also wish to thank Under-Secretary-General Voronkov, Mr. Marshall Billingslea and Ms. Mercy Buku for their inciteful briefings. My delegation associates itself with the statement delivered by the observer of the European Union. Allow me to make a few additional observations. It is crucial that the Security Council, as the primary organ responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security, continue to attach the highest attention to the issue of counter-terrorism, including by responding to the changing nature of the terrorist threat and the ways in which terrorists finance their activities. In this respect, we welcome the adoption of resolution 2462 (2019) today. Expressing its support, Slovakia co-sponsored the resolution and is committed to ensuring its full implementation. The Slovak Republic condemns all forms and manifestations of terrorism and is engaged in counter- terrorism, both individually and as a part of the international community. All States have obligations to respond to the global threat of terrorism, including by preventing and eliminating funding for the travel and activities of terrorist entities, groups and individuals. We reaffirm our commitment to tackling all sources, techniques and channels of terrorist financing and call for the effective worldwide implementation of legal instruments, including the 1999 International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, relevant Security Council resolutions and the Financial Action Task Force standards. Slovakia has also participated in the Counter-Da’esh Finance Group of the Global Coalition against Da’esh. We use that particular platform to exchange information in order to improve our national terrorist assets freezing system as well. The Security Council has affirmed the importance of international, regional, and subregional counter- terrorism cooperation in a number of its resolutions. Earlier this week, Slovakia as the country currently exercising the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), organized the OSCE-wide Counter-Terrorism Conference. More than 300 high-level participants — including political representatives, national counter-terrorism coordinators and experts from the 57 participating countries and partners for cooperation, as well as representatives from the United Nations and other international, regional and subregional organizations, academia and civil society — met in Bratislava. Under our leadership of the OSCE chairmanship-in-office, the Counter-Terrorism Conference highlighted advances made in identifying impactful and human rights-compliant programs, as well as platforms and mechanisms for governmental and non-governmental cooperation. The presentation of best practices in preventing the violent extremism and radicalization that can lead to terrorism focused most specifically on multi-stakeholder efforts to disengage individuals from violent extremism and terrorism. To conclude, we believe that a robust framework, its rigorous implementation and effective international cooperation can significantly contribute to preventing and countering the financing of terrorism. In that context, I should like once again to thank the French presidency’s efforts at this particular juncture.

I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

At the outset, allow me to thank you, Madam, for organizing this timely open debate on preventing and combating the financing of terrorism. I would also like to extend my appreciation to the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, the President of the Financial Action. Task Force and to the expert in anti-money-laundering and countering the financing of terrorism for their informative briefings. Every terrorist attack, no matter where it happens and whom it targets, affects each one of us. Terrorism challenges our sense of humanity and attempts to create an environment of fear and despair. Only through our collective effort can we counter this scourge and prevent further attacks. Combating the financing of terrorism is a good example of an area where cooperation is key and where results may have direct impacts on the ability of terrorist groups to continue to operate. Brazil is committed to the elimination of terrorism, including its financing. Our Constitution establishes the repudiation of terrorism as one of the guiding principles of our foreign policy. We updated our legislation to typify the crimes of preparatory acts of terrorism and of recruitment of foreign terrorist combatants. Particularly with respect to financing, we have been working to simplify the procedures to block assets of terrorists listed by the Council. Two weeks ago, Brazil adopted a law to facilitate the immediate implementation of Security Council resolutions concerning sanctions against individuals and entities affiliated with terrorist organizations. Coupled with previous legislative changes, this legislative piece brings the Brazilian regulatory framework completely within the standards of the Financial Action Task Force. It is imperative that we intensify our work on cutting off the sources of terrorism financing. As a related measure, we should also sharpen our focus on combating money laundering. Although there is no evidence of automatic operational links between terrorism and crime, money launderers may work for both indistinctively. There are two issues that I would like to address in today’s debate. First, we should always keep in mind that any counter-terrorism action, including on financing, must abide by international law, in particular human rights law, humanitarian law and refugee law. That might seem to be common sense, as the Council consistently stresses that point throughout its resolutions. However, practice has shown that sometimes well-intended legislation ends up causing international law violations when applied. Broad interpretations of counter-terrorism legislation by national courts have hindered humanitarian action in the past. As recognized in the sixth review of the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy, it is imperative that Member States ensure that their counter-terrorism measures do not impede humanitarian and medical activities or engagement with all relevant actors. That is key to ensuring that our actions effectively contribute to eradicating terrorism. If counter-terrorism efforts disregard basic notions of humanity and the shared values that inspire humanitarian law, they risk reinforcing rather than countering the narratives of terrorist groups. The second point I would like to make relates to prevention. As the concept note (S/2019/239, annex) accurately points out, a number of terrorist attacks have been perpetrated by individuals with limited financial resources. That raises a question about the limits of strategies focused on cutting off the financial sources of terrorism. As history has taught us, terrorism is hardly about money. Financial sources are certainly an enabler of those terrible acts, and as such they need to be addressed accordingly. Nevertheless, when a group or an individual seeks to find the means to perpetrate a terrorist act, the damage is already done because the decision to resort to violence and terror has already been made. That is why we must cut off the deeper sources of terrorism by addressing its root causes. Terrorist groups have been attracting recruits by offering them an illusory sense of purpose, belonging and identity. Social exclusion and youth unemployment have been increasing the vulnerability of people to the recruitment tactics of terrorist groups. Moreover, expressions of xenophobia, discrimination and prejudice not only contribute to social exclusion but also fuel extremist narratives that are conducive to terrorism. We must react against speech and any action that is inconsistent with the respect for diversity, such as those associating terrorism with specific cultures, religions or ethnic groups. There is no justification for terrorism. Brazil condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and is engaged in counter-terrorism efforts at the United Nations, as the main Organization that can bring universal consensus to the efforts of the international community against that scourge. In particular, the Council has a special role in condemning terrorism and preventing its spread in a coherent and universal manner, while always ensuring full respect for international law. It is our hope that the discussions that we have in this Chamber today will contribute to bringing the scourge of terrorism to a definitive end.

I now give the floor to the representative of Bahrain.

At the outset, I would like to thank you, Madam President, for holding this open debate and for choosing its important topic to enhance the efforts to combat terrorism and terrorism financing and support in all its forms. I would also like to congratulate your friendly country on its successful presidency of the Security Council this month and on the adoption of resolution 2462 (2019). I also thank the briefers for their valuable contributions. When we talk about combating extremism and terrorism we always hear that we need to address the root causes that allow terrorists to spread their extremist ideology and pursue their destructive acts. Terrorism is spreading mainly because it continues to receive funds and support from individuals, entities and countries. Despite the best efforts of the international community to put in place strategies to track and eradicate the sources of financing for terrorism  — and despite national, regional and international legislation to hold those who fund terrorism accountable — supporters of terrorism continue to find new means of funding terrorist acts and avoiding censorship. Therefore, financing terrorism remains one of the obstacles to saving the world from this scourge. The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to support and finance terrorism in the region. The Kingdom of Bahrain has had successful and long experiences in combating terrorism financing and putting an end to suspicious financial transactions. We are willing to exchange that expertise with friendly countries and continue our cooperation with all States and international organizations to end that scourge. We believe it is important to strengthen international efforts to combat terrorism financing. We must also dry up the sources of terrorism because halting terrorism financing is an important aspect in the overall fight against terrorism. Therefore, we need deterrent mechanisms to eliminate all sources of funding for terrorist groups. Our frameworks at the national level to combat terrorism funding in Bahrain include several laws, mainly Law No. 4 of 2001, on prohibiting and countering money laundering, and Law No. 25 and Law No. 54. In addition, Law No. 7 of 2017 deals with ratifying the Arab Convention on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing. The Kingdom of Bahrain continues to play a role in countering terrorism. In 2014 and 2015 we hosted the Manama Meeting on Combating the Financing of Terrorism, with the participation of representatives from the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the European Commission and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), as well as the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force, whose headquarters is in Bahrain. We are addressing the challenges related to combating the financing of terrorist groups and terrorist activities in all their forms and manifestations. The Manama Meeting issued recommendations in line with international law and the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, notably with regard to investigating and tracking terrorism financing by groups and individuals, as well as fully implementing financial sanctions with the positive involvement of the private sector in the efforts pertaining to terrorism financing. The Kingdom of Bahrain fully participates in the international framework to combat the financing of terrorism through many means, including by joining the international network of regional organizations similar to the FATF. We also participate effectively in all the meetings held by the global coalition to defeat Da’esh and combat terrorism financing in order to dry up its sources of funding by implementing a joint action plan among the countries of the coalition. One of the most prominent activities conducted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, in cooperation with the Central Bank, was the eighth Gulf European workshop on counter-terrorism financing. Another workshop on charitable contributions and combating terrorism financing as well as violent extremism was held in cooperation with the Central Bank, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the United States of America. The Kingdom of Bahrain also participated in the tenth meeting of the Counter ISIS Finance Group, held in Poland in September 2018. As a member of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Centre, headed by the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we discussed the guidelines on tracking the sources of terrorism financing and the role of the Centre’s Executive Committee and its decision-making mechanism for designating individuals and entities funding terrorist actions. During the general meeting of the FATF and the meetings of the working group in Paris in June 2018, the mutual evaluation report of Bahrain was adopted, whose aim is to implement measures to combat terrorism financing worldwide. In conclusion, the Kingdom of Bahrain would like to highlight its adoption of a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism and terrorism financing. We will strengthen our national and collective participation to combat terrorism financing. We stand ready to work with the international community to dry up the sources of terrorist funding and combat terrorist ideologies so that we can all enjoy safety and security through our partnership in maintaining international peace and security.

I now give the floor to the representative of Ukraine.

At the outset, let me join the previous speakers in thanking the French presidency for convening today’s open debate. I fully align myself with the statement delivered earlier on behalf of the European Union and would like to make the following comments in my national capacity. I will focus on two main issues proposed by the presidency of our debate, beginning with the one related to adapting the response of the international community to the changing nature of the terrorist threat. There have recently been a number of important developments in advancing new counter-terrorism standards and further consolidating and amplifying international action to counter the threat of terrorism, which have provided a basis for the introduction of a more nuanced approach to combating the financing of terrorism. In that regard, we welcome the unanimous adoption of resolution 2462 (2019), which was co-sponsored by 51 States, including Ukraine. We believe that the resolution will be another practical tool at our disposal. Indeed, we are witnessing growing challenges related to the abuse of legitimate financial institutions and businesses, the emergence of new payment methods and the use of non-profit organizations to transfer funds for terrorist purposes. In addition, the resolution provides specific measures for assessing and addressing the potential risks associated with innovations in financial technologies, products and services. Despite the efforts undertaken to counter terrorism, including legal, diplomatic and military measures, more should be done to eradicate the phenomenon, which has become rampant at the regional and global levels, and particular emphasis should be placed on the underlying causes of terrorism. Therefore, the following further efforts need to be undertaken. First, the capacity of States in the area of collecting credible evidence of terrorist activities should be enhanced in order to introduce more universal criminalization of the actions of all perpetrators, organizers, mentors and sponsors of terrorism and ensure the eventual prosecution and punishment of those who provide funding for terrorist activities in any form and by any means. Secondly, cooperation should be promoted between Governments and the private sector, including through social media. Thirdly, awareness should be raised regarding existing risks in the area of the financing of terrorism and regarding financial flows with links to terrorist activities. Fourthly, effective international cooperation and mutual assistance should be ensured at the level of financial intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Such efforts should be based on relevant international legal instruments, including Security Council resolutions, as well as recommendations made within the framework of the Financial Action Task Force. That brings me to the issue of compliance with international obligations in the area of counter- terrorism. It is crucial to ensure the effective implementation of all international instruments for combating terrorism, including the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. Unfortunately, not all States respect their international obligations in that area. For example, by joining the Convention, States have pledged to suppress the financing of terrorism, but in reality we continue to witness the opposite from some States, which has already caused tragic consequences, including in my own country. For already half a decade, the policy of terror has become one of the key elements of the hybrid aggression cruelly and shamelessly launched against my country in 2014, in blatant violation of fundamental international norms and principles, including key counter-terrorism obligations. The reports of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine and the United Nations human rights mission in Ukraine confirm the continuous flow of ammunition, weaponry and fighters from the Russian Federation to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Those military assets are delivered either openly or under the guise of so-called humanitarian convoys. With that and other Russian support, illegal armed groups attacked Malaysia Airlines Flight MH- 17, taking nearly 300 innocent lives. With that and other Russian support, almost 13,000 people were killed in Donbas, while nearly 1.6 million people were forced to leave their homes. In temporarily occupied Crimea, the aggressor State discredits international efforts, including those of the Council, to counter terrorism, by producing fake accusations of terrorist activities and by illegally sentencing innocent people. Just few days ago, on the fifth anniversary of the adoption of General Assembly resolution 68/262, entitled “Territorial integrity of Ukraine”, the Russian occupation authorities again chose to use the so-called Hizb ut-Tahrir case — already used to fabricate cases against Crimean Tatar activists and their subsequent convictions  — as a pretext for punitive actions against them. Considering that Islamic extremism had never been part of the history of the Crimean peninsula before the Russian occupation, the frequency with which the occupation authorities use that accusation to justify their searches and detention of Crimean Tatar individuals strongly suggest that it is a pretext for discrimination, in blatant violation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Those and other violations of the international legal framework prove, time and again, that combating the activities of individual terrorists and terrorist groups will be insufficient if the problem of State-sponsored terrorism is not effectively and comprehensively addressed. The issue of bringing to account not only individuals and organizations but also those States responsible for organizing, financing or otherwise supporting terrorist activities should be duly dealt with. The sanctions imposed on the aggressor State should be maintained and further strengthened. The perpetrators of heinous terrorist acts must be brought to justice.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Netherlands.

I wish to thank you, Madam President, for organizing today’s important debate, and to thank the briefers for their contributions. Allow me also to commend the Security Council on its unanimous adoption of resolution 2462 (2019), which the Kingdom of the Netherlands proudly co-sponsored. The Kingdom of the Netherlands fully aligns itself with the statement made by the observer of the European Union. In my national capacity, I would like to highlight three issues  — first, obligations under international law; secondly, public-private cooperation; and, thirdly, coordination. Many of the previous speakers today have said that the terrorist threat is changing and the technology with which they finance their operations is developing, and that we therefore have to change and develop our approach to terrorism financing. We agree. Resolution 2462 (2019) will guide us in doing so. But changing and developing our approach does not mean that the rules of the game have changed. On the contrary, every country’s obligation under international law, particularly human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, is now more relevant than ever. This is also why the Kingdom of the Netherlands is a candidate for a seat on the Human Rights Council for the 2020-2022 term. If we waver on our commitments under international law, we will only be playing into the hands of the terrorists we want to fight. We therefore have to ensure through fair risk assessment that non-governmental organizations can continue to operate in a free space and that humanitarian actors can continue to deliver aid in line with humanitarian principles. We call on the Security Council to see to those aspects when it reviews the implementation of resolution 2462 (2019), a year from now. With regard to my second point, on public-private cooperation, the public and private sectors are natural allies in the fight against terrorism and its financing. I applaud France’s efforts to enhance public-private cooperation in countering the financing of terrorism through resolution 2462 (2019). In the Netherlands we have already had good experiences with such cooperation. For some years now, our public prosecutor, police, financial-intelligence unit and private companies, including banks and insurance companies, have shared information on individuals and transactions related to terrorism on a basis of civil law. Since its inception, this public-private partnership has resulted in more than 300 additional suspicious transactions reports related to terrorism financing. We encourage the United Nations and its Member States to engage in similar efforts to join forces with the private sector. On my third and final point, coordination, I commend France’s efforts to bring the important work of the Financial Action Task Force closer to that of the United Nations. The coordination of these bodies’ efforts, as well as those of the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the Egmont Group and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, is extremely important to us if we are to stay ahead of the curve. The same goes for international coordination within the United Nations system. As United Nations entities, Governments and international organizations, we have to learn from each other, share good practices and strengthen capacity-building. Only by doing so can we be greater than the sum of our parts in countering terrorism. In conclusion, two weeks ago, two men were arrested in Amsterdam in connection with a horrific terrorist attack that occurred in the capital of your country, Madam President, in 2015. The two men are accused of selling Kalashnikovs and explosives that were used in the Paris attack that killed 129 people. Four years later, this shows that investigating financial and other resources is key to holding terrorists and their accomplices to account. It shows that complacency in our fight against terrorism is not an option and cannot be one. And it shows that the Kingdom of the Netherlands continues to cooperate with its partners and the United Nations and its Member States to stop terrorism at its source.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

I thank the delegation of France for organizing today’s open debate and the briefers for their input. Terrorism is a real threat, and the recent terrorist attacks in New Zealand have shown once again that no country is immune to this pervasive evil. Combating it requires a comprehensive preventive approach, which means that the root causes of terrorism should be addressed first and foremost. From this perspective, it is extremely important to prevent and combat the financing of terrorism. As a victim of terrorism and as a country that has lost more than 17,000 of its citizens to terrorist attacks, Iran is determined to continue combating terrorism in all its aspects, including financing. To that end, Iran has enacted a national strategy for countering terrorist acts and a number of laws that include preventive measures on the financing of terrorism. The latter is addressed in several bilateral agreements as well. Iran also has an active financial-intelligence unit. Preventing and combating the financing of terrorism requires the genuine political will of all States as well as efficient international standards. For several years, Da’esh received large amounts of petrodollars and other financial donations. It also derived considerable revenue through the looting and sale of Iraq and Syria’s cultural properties as well as by exporting their oil. Even now, terrorist groups such as the Al-Nusra Front in Syria, in addition to enjoying the political and military support of certain countries, are receiving significant financial contributions. These facts alone show not only that the existing standards are not efficient enough, but also that many countries have not implemented them at all, as one of the briefers pointed out earlier. Interestingly, however, for clear political reasons, those countries have never been listed by the institutions that set the standards. If they are not held accountable, they will be emboldened to continue financing terrorists. The fact is that counter-terrorism activities are effective only when double standards and selective approaches are avoided and all States cooperate fully and responsibly. Some countries use both counter-terrorism and terrorism as a foreign-policy tool, for example by designating adversaries as State sponsors of terrorism, which is done exclusively for political motives and therefore has no legitimacy. That is also the case with regard to the unilateral labelling of certain popular political parties in other States as terrorists. The irony is that those who have adopted such policies are those who have created certain terrorist groups and, based on their own short-sighted national interest, have delisted known terrorist groups and given them safe haven. They even continue to support groups that the Security Council itself has designated as terrorists. Finally, we must not forget that foreign invasion and occupation are the main factors in creating grounds conducive to terrorism. While a country’s inherent right to resist foreign invasion and occupation must not be equated with terrorism, it is clear that in order to uproot terrorism, occupation and invasion must come to an end. If unchecked, terrorists and occupiers will evolve into a coalition. In fact, that has already happened: Israel supports terrorists in Syria in various ways, including by healing the injuries of their terrorist sisters and brothers.

I now give the floor to the representative of Ecuador.

I thank the Permanent Mission of France for holding this open debate, and I welcomed the presence in the Security Council this morning of France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, to whom I extend my greetings. We consider it essential for all States to be able to express their concerns in the Security Council about the threat that terrorism poses to international peace and security and, above all, about the importance of preventing it and combating its financing. No State is immune to terrorism, but neither can any State respond to it alone, which is why we are convinced that joint measures and concerted actions are required to counter terrorism and its pernicious effects. The Republic of Ecuador reaffirms that terrorism is a serious threat to the international community as a whole. That is why we unequivocally condemn all acts of terrorism, regardless of their form or manifestation and regardless of their purpose, their origin or the entity that carries them out. Preventing terrorism is as important as suppressing it, which is why it is essential to identify and eliminate the causes and factors that may promote terrorist acts, including their financing, political, ethnic, religious and racial intolerance, corruption and the social and economic gap between peoples and nations. Ecuador has taken important steps to address and combat the threat of terrorism by criminalizing the financing of terrorism and associated money-laundering through preventive measures and international judicial cooperation. I would like to mention a few examples in that regard. The Ecuadorian Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code, adopted in 2014, expressly criminalizes terrorism and its financing by recognizing the direct relationship between the crime of money-laundering and the financing of terrorism and shows progress in controlling those crimes. The law on the prevention, detection and eradication of the crime of money- laundering and the financing of offences is aimed at preventing, detecting in a timely manner, punishing and eradicating money-laundering and the financing of offences in their various forms. With the same objective, the ongoing action plan for the prevention of money-laundering and the financing of terrorism was approved. The report of the International Cooperation Review Group recognized that Ecuador “has made significant progress in consolidating its anti-money-laundering regime against the financing of terrorism.” That shows that Ecuador is taking concrete action to comply with the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy and the Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism. It is also essential to highlight the link between the financing and support of terrorist groups and transnational organized crime groups, whose acts affect civilians and innocent people in a similar way. At the beginning of 2018, my country reported violent acts resulting from the actions of irregular armed groups linked to transnational organized crime, including a dozen terrorist attacks that resulted in a number of injuries, deaths and displacements and damaged State infrastructure. As an immediate response, the Government of Ecuador established its national committee on comprehensive border security as the body responsible for coordinating and developing policies, guidelines, procedures and actions in the area of comprehensive border security and implemented a defence plan for security along its northern border, which provides guidelines for the strategic planning of comprehensive defence, security and development policies to address the complex transnational threat of terrorism in all its dimensions. It is also important to point out the connection between terrorism and corruption. For that reason, Ecuador unequivocally condemns acts of corruption, the networks of which seriously undermine the stability of States and entire regions and jeopardize the peace and development of our peoples in the Americas and the world. The United Nations is the only global platform to carry out an effective fight against terrorism. Before concluding, I would therefore like to reiterate Ecuador’s commitment to work towards strengthening the international fight against terrorism and put an end to that serious threat to international peace and security.

I now give the floor to the representative of Afghanistan.

We thank you, Madam President, and your colleagues for taking the initiative, under the French presidency, to organize this important meeting on countering the financing of terrorism. Enhancing progress on preventing and combating the financing of terrorism will limit and weaken terrorists in continuing and expanding their reign of terror and destruction worldwide. We welcome this meeting to reinforce the collective efforts of the United Nations and all Member States to create greater awareness of ways to minimize the methods terrorists use to finance their activities. Afghanistan’s approach to counter-terrorism is a comprehensive one. As a prime victim of terrorism, we fight various terrorist groups on the battlefield, including terrorist fighters who come from outside Afghanistan. We have also implemented measures to strengthen our national legislation to meet the provisions of various treaties, conventions and United Nations resolutions, including Security Council resolutions, to combat terrorist financing. Preventing the financing of terrorism is an important part of our national counter-terrorism strategy. Our National Security Council is leading inter-agency efforts to implement that strategy. We have established a task force, made up of the Attorney General’s Office, the Ministry of Finance, the National Directorate of Security and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Center. The mandate of the task force is to ensure the implementation of legal frameworks to prevent money-laundering and other unregulated currency flows that help terrorists finance their activities. Progress in that area has led to our compliance with international standards. That was recognized by the Financial Action Task Force, which removed Afghanistan from its compliance watch list. In the broader context, our efforts are also in line with commitments under the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism and the United Nations Convention against Corruption. We are also engaged in efforts to disrupt the links between terrorism and organized crime. Afghanistan has long been engaged in the fight against narcotics, with a special focus on preventing the Taliban and other affiliated groups from benefiting from the proceeds of illicit drugs. Under our national counter- narcotics strategy, we are taking action across multiple fronts, such as eradication, public awareness and alternative livelihoods. Approximately 3,000 operations were conducted last year alone, as a result of which close to 3,500 individuals, including foreign nationals, were apprehended and prosecuted. Similarly, drug-processing laboratories and storage facilities were destroyed through joint military operations. Those operations have disrupted the Taliban’s ability to benefit from narcotics revenue. In addition, we also confiscated more than 200 tons of illicit drugs in the course of one year. We have improved security at national airports and border crossings to detect, deter and prevent trafficking, which demonstrates our strong commitment to root out the illicit drug economy and address the linkages between terrorist financing and narcotics. Those measures led to a decrease in drug production last year, as also reflected in the most recent survey conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The problem of narcotics in Afghanistan must be seen in the context of a complex situation. We must recognize that only a robust and comprehensive effort, with international and regional partners, geared at addressing all components, including production, trafficking and consumption, can achieve the shared objective, which is to completely eliminate narcotics production and trade. To ensure our success, we call for a more cohesive and unified regional approach, especially given that our immediate neighbours can play an effective and very strong role in confronting the nexus of transnational criminal activities. The inflow of resources that finance and support terrorist activities, such as the trafficking in weapons and chemical precursors, arrive from outside Afghanistan, which is why we need a comprehensive regional approach to combat that menace. The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) and the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities, were established with a purpose. However, experience has shown that sanctions measures, including the freezing of assets of individuals on the consolidated lists, are often lax and not enforced properly. We believe that the effective implementation of those measures would bring pressure to bear on the terrorist groups and limit their activities. New listings for individuals, including those involved in the drug trade as well as wealthy sponsors providing financial contributions to the Taliban and other affiliated groups, are necessary. The sanctions regimes must be thoroughly enforced in full, with the cooperation of all concerned States. In this regard, we appreciate the important work being done by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team in connection with the sanctions regime imposed by the 1988 and 1267 Committees. We have even further enhanced our collaboration with United Nations entities, including the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). In January 2017, during CTED’s visit to Afghanistan, new areas of collaboration were identified, and, together with international partners, we look forward to the implementation of those recommendations. To conclude, we welcome the adoption today of resolution 2462 (2019) and reaffirm our full support for all international efforts to end the dangerous link between all forms of organized criminal activities with terrorism, including the financing of terrorism. Afghanistan remains a committed partner in this imperative, and its efforts and genuine fight against global terrorism need to be recognized. We are committed to fighting for the sake of security and stability in our country and in our region and beyond.

I now give the floor to the representative of Kenya.

We wish at the outset to acknowledge the presence here today of Mr. Marshall Billingslea, President of the Financial Action Task Force and Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of the Treasury; the Under-Secretary- General of the United Nations Office of Counter- Terrorism; and Ms. Mercy Buku, and to thank them for their informative presentations. Madam President, I wish to thank you for having organized this important meeting and also to commend you for the diplomatic skill and collegial manner with which you have conducted the affairs of the Council during your presidency. We take note with appreciation of the comprehensive concept note (S/2019/239, annex) that you circulated to guide today’s debate. I commend the Security Council for having adopted resolution 2462 (2019) today on preventing and combating the financing of terrorism, a resolution of which we, too, were a sponsor. My delegation applauds the leadership of France in fostering international cooperation to combat the financing of terrorism, particularly the Paris Agenda on “No Money for Terror”. Kenya, like many other countries, has suffered the horrors of terrorism. The terrorist threat in Kenya and, indeed, the region emanates from Al-Shabaab, an affiliate of the Al-Qaida terror network. Kenya has responded robustly to the terrorist threat by enhancing its domestic capabilities and embracing deeper international cooperation. We have benchmarked best international practices, integrated all international instruments against terrorism into our domestic legislation and created the relevant institutions and mechanisms to ensure the balanced implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Above all, we participate in the Security Council- and African Union-mandated African Union Mission in Somalia so as to degrade Al-Shabaab in support of the Somalia political transition and also as part of our contribution in the fight against international terrorism. Kenya wishes to express its deep concern about the continued threat of terrorism emanating from territories controlled by terrorist groups and how this contributes to terrorism financing. Currently, Al-Shabaab in Somalia is tapping into humanitarian aid by extorting taxes and enforcing payment for the free passage of humanitarian aid within its so-called controlled areas. In addition, that terrorist group maintains a deeply entrenched and pervasive network that is involved in activities ranging from illicit trade, foreign remittances and other transnational criminal activities. Proceeds from such crimes are used to finance Al-Shabaab’s activities, both locally and internationally, as part of the Al-Qaida network. It is therefore obvious that transnational crime and terrorism are closely intertwined and mutually self-reinforcing. As a result, humanitarian assistance ends up being used not only to finance terrorism but also as a tool for recruitment into violent extremism. We, the United Nations, must therefore find ways to systematically deal with this paradoxical situation in a holistic, uniform manner that is devoid of double standards. We should never justify or condone terrorism under any pretext, least of all that of humanitarian assistance. In effort to combat the financing of terrorism and other crimes, Kenya has enacted various laws aimed at stemming money laundering and curtailing the proceeds of crime. The Prevention of Terrorism Act of 2012, amended in 2014, mandates the Financial Reporting Centre, a statutory institution, to assist in the identification of the proceeds of crime and the combating of money laundering. The Centre registers and maintains a register of reporting institutions, receives reports on suspicious activities or transactions from reporting institutions, receives cash-transaction reports that meet a given threshold from reporting institutions, and receives reports on the cross-border conveyancing of monetary instruments. As such, the Centre coordinates the financial sector and the law- enforcement sector in the prevention and countering of the financing of terrorism in Kenya. Tremendous progress has been achieved with the putting in place of elaborate measures to detect and report on suspicious transactions in Kenya’s formal financial sector. Elaborate measures are also in place to deal with the informal sector. International cooperation is vital in eradicating money laundering and other finance-related crimes. The full implementation by Member States of the relevant international money-laundering standards and instruments is thus crucial to achieving progress in this area. My delegation believes that the real fight against the financing of terrorism should also focus on enhancing the capacities of police and other law- enforcement authorities to effectively police borders and control illegal activities such as arms smuggling and human trafficking. Increasing the capabilities of local businesses to self-monitor and share information with the authorities through appropriate community- policing models would help curb the financing of terrorism. In conclusion, my delegation is convinced that enhancing State effectiveness in the fight against the financing of terrorism is crucial to success but not sufficient on its own. We believe that the full implementation of the resolution adopted today will reinforce existing measures to curb the financing of terrorism.

I now give the floor to the representative of Tunisia.

I would like at the outset to congratulate France on its presidency of the Security Council and on its pioneering role. We welcome the initiative of France to hold this open debate on combating and preventing terrorism financing, a phenomenon that continues to threaten international peace and security. Many terrorist groups, including Da’esh, have adapted their methods of carrying out terrorist operations and developed new funding mechanisms. They are involved in an ongoing quest for renewable financing resources for their terrorist activities, including donations, direct extortion and proceeds from transnational organized crime, such as ransom, weapons, drugs and trafficking in cultural property, as well as using modern technology and other means to transfer funds. We thank all briefers for their valuable contributions, which reflect the need to continue our efforts to address the challenges related to combating the phenomenon of terrorism financing and drying up its sources. The Security Council’s unanimous adoption of resolution 2462 (2019), on preventing and combating the financing of terrorism, reflects the true commitment of the international community to further implement international conventions and the relevant United Nations resolutions and best practices at the national level in line with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). In contributing to international efforts in that regard, Tunisia co-sponsored this important resolution. At the Arria Formula meeting sponsored by France, Peru, Australia and Indonesia on 31 January concerning the issue at hand, Tunisia stressed the need to adequately focus on the matter while jointly addressing terrorism financing in an effective manner. My country’s delegation therefore welcomes the role of the relevant United Nations agencies and their contribution to enhancing the capacities of Member States. We take note of the report to be issued before the end of the year on the measures taken by Member States at the national level, which will provide an opportunity to learn from best practices in that regard. I would like to stress that the promotion of national systems to counter terrorism must not distract us from the need to address the root causes of extremist ideologies, while respecting international humanitarian law and international human rights law, because failing to pay attention to prevention and solely focusing on security solutions will jeopardize all other efforts and hinder development. All Member States should therefore adopt national strategies that take into account all security, economic, social and cultural challenges. Tunisia has taken important legislative and procedural measures to support its national framework to counter the financing of terrorism. At the legislative level, the National Counter-Terrorism Committee oversees and assesses the implementation of the relevant United Nations resolutions and makes decisions with regard to freezing the assets of individuals and organizations that have been shown to have links with terrorist crimes. In January 2018, a Government order was issued concerning measures to implement the relevant United Nations resolutions to counter the financing of terrorism. That was an important legislative step towards the implementation of the basic counter-terrorism law. The Tunisian Government also adopted a plan of action on anti-money-laundering and combating the Financing of terrorism in line with the relevant Security Council resolutions and international norms included in the FAFT recommendations. A risk-based approach was also adopted to identify charities that are at the highest risk of being misused for financing terrorism. Charity associations were also included in the recent law on the national charity registry to foster the transparency of economic and financial transactions of natural and legal persons while ensuring that national legislation complies with the relevant international norms. I emphasize the importance that Tunisia attaches to international cooperation in that regard and the need to contribute to the relevant initiatives, such as the Working Group on Countering the Financing of Terrorism in connection with the global coalition against Da’esh. We highly value the cooperation with the relevant United Nations agencies, especially the Office of Counter-Terrorism and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, in helping our national system freeze terrorism-related assets. Tunisia is keen to further and expand that cooperation. We are faced today with ever-evolving threats at the structural level and with regard to the way in which terrorist operations are carried out, as terrorists exploit existing gaps to achieve their goals. The adoption of resolution 2462 (2019) is a commendable response in that regard. In conclusion, Tunisia renews its call on all Member States and other stakeholders to join those efforts and further cooperate to effectively fight this scourge, which we believe continues to represent a threat to international peace and security. That requires from us an immediate response, especially with regard to combating suspicious funding.

I now give the floor to the representative of Saudi Arabia.

First of all, let me express our most heartfelt congratulations to you personally, Madam President, and your friendly country, France, on your accession to the presidency of the Security Council for the month of March and your able leadership of the Council’s work over the past weeks. I also thank you for the initiative to convene this open debate on the threat that terrorism poses to international peace and security and on the financing of terrorism that fuels it. This debate is taking place following the most heinous terrorist attacks, which have shaken the world’s conscience — the crime committed against the worshippers in two mosques in New Zealand. Although we are still bereaved as a result of that heinous crime, we express our appreciation to the Government and the people of New Zealand, who demonstrated unparalleled love and sympathy and have remained united. We commend the Muslims of New Zealand who reciprocated with love. That reaffirms the tolerance inherent in the Muslim religion. The crime committed in New Zealand proves that terrorism can be financed with either lots of funds or scant resources. That is why the first step in the fight against terrorism should be to combat its ideological root causes in every society. We must also realize that terrorism is not attributed to any one ethnicity, religion or nationality. Regardless of terrorism in New Zealand, terrorism against worshippers at the Al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron or the terrorist activities of Da’esh, it all emanates from the same source of hatred and the rejection of others. Like other countries and societies, my country has also suffered from terrorism. We have therefore tried to eradicate it through various means. We have fought it everywhere. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is contributing to the war against Da’esh, we have fought against Al-Qaida in Yemen and we continue to counter the machinations of Hizbullah in Syria, Yemen and elsewhere. Moreover, combating terrorism requires drying up its financial resources. That is why we have said that we cannot allow certain countries to carry out suspicious practices under false pretexts in order to support political extremism, which is a gateway for terrorism. My country has adhered to all the relevant conventions in that regard and participated in every conference aimed at diminishing the financing of, and clamping down on, terrorism financing. For environment xample, we have set up counselling- service centres and an anti-ideological war centre. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was a pioneer as one of the first countries to counter the trend of recruiting, financing and the incitement of terrorists through cyberspace. Accordingly, in 2017, we established Etidal Centre to combat extremist ideologies. We also established, together with the United States and friendly Arab Gulf nations, a centre to combat terrorism financing. We also founded the Islamic coalition to combat terrorism and terrorism financing. At the international level, the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre was established as an initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has financed it. If we want to defeat terrorism, we must all be in agreement that the threat of terrorism posed to any one country constitutes a threat to us all. We must look past our narrow interests and take into account the interests and security of all countries. Transparent and consistent cooperation are essential in order to be successful in the fight against terrorism. One of the most important examples in that regard is the Security Council’s establishment of sanctions committees against terrorist groups, such as Al-Qaida and Da’esh, because the Council is aware of the threat to international peace and security that such groups represent. The threat posed by Da’esh and Al-Qaida continues and the combatants of those two entities are still present in countries and many regions either as part of an organized group or individually. However, those groups are diminishing and becoming increasingly weaker militarily and in terms of ideology. Nevertheless, we must highlight the fact that there are other terrorist groups that are as dangerous and as great a threat as Da’esh and Al-Qaida, and they threaten international peace and security. Some of those other groups are the armed Houthi group and Hizbullah militia that conduct their activities throughout the region. Those two groups work closely together under the protection and support of Iran. My delegation therefore urges the Security Council to start discussing the possibility of designating the Houthi group and Hizbullah militia as terrorist groups and to establish a sanctions committee in that regard. I would like to affirm that the policy conducted by my country to combat terrorism and terrorism financing is based on increasing international cooperation. Among the most important challenges facing the security forces in different States is the possibility of infiltration by foreign groups or foreign terrorist fighters into their countries without prior knowledge of their background. That is why the relevant institutions in my country have called for the sharing and exchange of information on such individuals fighting with terrorist groups. We have shared our data with other relevant stakeholders. In conclusion, I would like to affirm that the occupation of the territories of another State and the false recognition of that occupation pave the way for terrorism. That is why combating terrorism cannot be accompanied by any measure that allows for increasing the sentiments of injustice and rejection of the occupation.

The representative of Qatar has asked for the floor to make a further statement.

My delegation finds itself obliged to take the floor at the end of the meeting to address the false information provided by the representative of the Syrian regime, which was an insult to my country, instead of addressing the topic of our meeting, which is the threat of terrorist groups — an important issue for everyone in the Chamber. Those lies and accusations against my Government accusing it of funding terrorism are a repetition of the false information that we are used to hearing from those who speak on behalf of the Syrian regime in an attempt to distract us from its actions. Member States well know the paradox as we meet today to address this dangerous issue and the reasons behind the terrorism threats in recent years, namely, the Da’esh terrorist group. It is a paradox to hear the representative of the Syrian regime speaking about playing a key role in fighting terrorism, while the regime’s policies gave rise to a climate conducive to the emergence and proliferation of Da’esh over the past years before other responsible countries made genuine efforts to address and eliminate that terrorist group, which has threatened the entire world from the territories under its control in Syria. Were it not for the State terrorism practised by the Syrian regime against its population and the use of weapons against protesters, including chemical weapons being repeatedly used against peaceful civilians on many occasions, we would not be here today at this meeting to discuss the threat of Da’esh and its financing. It is unacceptable to see the representative of the internationally illegitimate Syrian regime, which was the main reason behind the emergence and the proliferation of Da’esh and other terrorist groups in Syria, such as the Al-Nusra Front and other groups that controlled some Syrian lands, preaching to us today about the threats of terrorism. The representative of the Syrian regime spoke today about Qatar’s violation of Security Council resolutions. Those accusations are a figment of the imagination. We can no longer keep count of the United Nations reports that document the Syrian regime’s violations of all Security Council resolutions on Syria, which continue today. Everyone here knows that Qatar’s efforts to fight terrorism are clear for all to see, in particular within the relevant United Nations bodies and international anti-terrorism forums, such as the Global Counterterrorism Forum. We have also played a key role in the Global Coalition to Counter Da’esh. The close cooperation of the State of Qatar with the relevant United Nations bodies to combat terrorism has had a significant impact and tangible results that are in complete contrast to the destructive role played by the Syrian regime. It is therefore quite usual to see the representative of that terrorist regime falsely accusing the State of Qatar after it played a key role in establishing the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes Under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011. We are keen to achieve justice and the rule of law and to protect the rights of the victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated by both the Syrian regime and the terrorist groups in Syria. In conclusion, despite the failed attempts against us, the State of Qatar will continue to play its effective role in fighting terrorism as a responsible and effective partner of the international community in order to uncover all violations against international law and all forms of terrorism that threaten the region and the world.

The representative of the Russian Federation has asked to make a further statement.

It is late, so I will not take much of the Council members’ time. I simply wish to comment on the statement made by the representative of Ukraine. He once again told the old tall tale about Russian aggression, but among other things he accused my country of violating the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. In that regard, I would simply recall the decision of the International Court of Justice from 19 April 2017, on the case of Ukraine v. Russian Federation, as it applies to the Convention. The decision stated that Ukraine’s claims in that connection were not plausible. I will not comment on the other issues that the representative of Ukraine touched upon because they are totally unrelated to the topic of today’s meeting. I am very sorry that the delegation of Ukraine continues to use the Security Council platform to spread its propaganda.

The representative of the Syrian Arab Republic has asked to make a further statement. I give him the floor.

We did not wish to ask for the floor once again. However, the response delivered just now by the representative of the Government and State of Qatar compelled us to ask for the floor a second time. We say to our responding colleague, first, that we should be called representatives of the Syrian Arab Republic, which is a founding Member of the United Nations. Even though the representative of the Government and State of Qatar is ignorant of the established diplomatic norms at the United Nations, we will not stoop to his level. We will continue to respect the Security Council, the rules of procedure and the Charter and will continue to address him as the representative of the Government and State of Qatar. The State and Government of Qatar and the ruling family there are today the biggest exemplars of money- laundering and terrorist financing, if only the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) would study them in a balanced, objective and neutral way. As we stated this morning, the Security Council has adopted resolutions that specifically address the behaviour of the State and Government of Qatar, which was among the top countries  — and perhaps the only country  — to pay cash, in the form of millions of dollars, to Da’esh and the Al-Nusra Front in Iraq and in Syria. They paid those sums of money as ransom so that the terrorist groups would release foreign individuals they had captured. These are facts. My colleague the representative of the Government and State of Qatar should not bristle at hearing them. They once paid $20 million to ensure the release of an American journalist, who himself said on a television interview that the mediator called his family here in the United States. The mediator was an Arab national, who told the journalist not to worry, as the group  — later revealed to be the Al-Nusra Front — would in the days to come receive $20 million from the State of Qatar as ransom for his release. That ransom was paid following two resolutions adopted by the Security Council to prevent the payment of ransoms. My colleague, the representative of Qatar knows very well what happened in Iraq, where more than half a billion dollars were paid for the release of individuals. I am not here to fabricate stories or to launch politicized or false accusations, as the Qataris usually do against Syria to justify what they have done against the Syrian people. Why is the representative of the Government and the State of Qatar so sensitive? I ask him to not be so sensitive about formal statements. He will recall that one of the most prominent members of the ruling family of Qatar, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, willingly appeared on public TV station in Qatar and then on the BBC to say that they had spent $137 billion in Syria to bring about the fall of President Bashar Al-Assad. When asked how they had spent that money, he responded that they were not the only ones to pay. Hamad bin Jassim said that they had reached an agreement with the Governments of other countries, which had asked them to be at the forefront of those efforts. I ask the Council to listen to the rationale behind the Government of Qatar. Hamad bin Jassim said that Syria was the prey. Speaking in the Gulf dialect, he said that Syria was the prey that managed to escape because we disagreed on things. That is the rationale behind the policies of the State of Qatar — laundering money and financing terrorism. I will tell the Council how they are laundering money and financing terrorism. The former Prime Minister says they spent $137 billion in Syria. The former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah, explained the issue by saying after we liberated Aleppo in 2016, alongside the Russians and other allies, “even if the new United States President stops supporting rebel groups in Aleppo or Syria, we in Qatar will not stop. We will continue to support those groups because we believe they will be victorious and return to Aleppo.” Another Minister for Foreign Affairs in Qatar, who later became the Minister of Defence, told Le Monde: “You ask us about the Al-Nusra Front. We in Qatar have a different approach from that of the United Nations. We are realistic. We believe that only Da’esh is a terrorist group. However, the Al-Nusra Front, in our opinion, is doing a good job and we will continue to support it.” So, he is telling the United Nations and the Security Council that they are wrong — that the Al-Nusra Front is not a terrorist group and that Qatar will continue to support it. Then they come to the Security Council to talk about Qatar’s efforts. We officially tell the representative of Qatar today that every dollar paid by Qatar to the United Nations to counter terrorism is in itself money-laundering. I repudiate those who spend $137 billion to destroy a country and its people, its civilization, its future and its aspirations, and then come to the United Nations and pay $75 million to justify their claim that they are partners in countering terrorism. This is money- laundering. I would ask everyone in the Chamber to look closely at the facts. Qatar has paid $75 million to the United Nations to combat terrorism, but openly admits to having spent $137 billion to destroy Syria. However, they differed on the prey.