S/PV.9649 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2024/442, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by 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 14 votes in favour, none against and 1 abstention. The draft resolution has been adopted as resolution 2734 (2024). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.

The United States thanks Council members for their constructive engagement on resolution 2734 (2024). We welcome the extension, for an additional 36 months, of the mandates of the Monitoring Team and the Ombudsperson established under resolution 1267 (1999). We also welcome the Council’s further recognition that sexual and gender-based violence is a tool terrorists utilize to further their aims, which is reflected in the text, including its listing criteria. The United States welcomes the support from Council members regarding that inclusion, given the devastating frequency of that horrific tactic. The use of sexual slavery by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) against the Yazidi community to incentivize recruitment, Al-Shabaab’s use of abduction, rape and forced marriage to subjugate those in areas under its control and Boko Haram’s kidnapping of schoolgirls to generate revenue — I could, unfortunately, go on and on. It is clear that terrorists use sexual and gender-based violence as a tactic to punish, humiliate, ethnically cleanse, fund their activities and control territory. Promoting accountability for conflict- related sexual violence is a priority for the United States, and this resolution is a critical step forward for the global campaign to end sexual and gender- based violence. Extending the mandate of the 1267 Monitoring Team also demonstrates the importance of its independent reporting. Recent 1267 Monitoring Team reports have shed light on the concerning growth of ISIS and Al-Qaida branches and related operations across the African continent. Today’s renewal also extends the mandate of the 1267 Ombudsperson, who plays an important role in promoting fairness, transparency and due process, particularly for non-State actors. The 1267 sanctions regime continues to play a critical role in promoting peace and stability around the globe. The United States again thanks Council members for their constructive and fruitful engagement to achieve the adoption of this important resolution.

China voted in favour of resolution 2734 (2024), which was just adopted. The resolution reiterates grave concerns about terrorist activities, asks States to continue strict implementation of the sanctions measures and renews, for 36 months, the mandates of the Monitoring Team and Ombudsperson established under resolution 1267 (1999). It once again demonstrates the international community’s firm resolve to combat terrorism. Resolution 2734 (2024) provides that when Da’esh and Al-Qaida use sexual and gender-based violence as a terrorist tactic, such acts may be eligible for designation on the basis of the current criteria. Until the international community reaches a clear consensus on the link between sexual and gender-based violence and terrorism, the wording in this resolution is appropriate. We hope that the Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities will strictly abide by the aforementioned provisions in its follow-up work. At present, the situation on the international counter- terrorism front remains grim. Terrorist organizations, including Da’esh, Al-Qaida, the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan and the Majeed Brigade continue to be active. The Council should continue to make good use of the resolution 1267 (1999) sanctions regime and support countries’ counter- terrorism efforts. Council members should strengthen mutual trust and coordination, abandon ideological bias and double standards and consider listing requests objectively and impartially. China thanks the Monitoring Team and Ombudsperson for their work and expects them to continue to perform their duties impartially so as to maintain the authority and effectiveness of the resolution 1267 (1999) sanctions regime.

Russia abstained in the voting on the Security Council resolution renewing, for three years, the mandates of the Monitoring Team on sanctions against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Al-Qaida, as well as the Ombudsperson on delisting (resolution 2734 (2024)). We have consistently supported the current sanctions regime established under resolution 1267 (1999) and consider it to be one of the most effective. The relevance and importance of the work 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 are undeniable, especially given the nature of the current terrorist threats posed by ISIL, Al-Qaida and their affiliates in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, South- East Asia and Africa. An analysis of the challenges clearly demonstrates the importance of effective implementation of the relevant Council resolutions. We support the mandates of the Monitoring Team and the Ombudsperson. Russia does not question the heinous nature of sexual crimes. There is no doubt that if terrorists associated with ISIL or Al-Qaida use sexual violence as a method of achieving their goals and there is evidence of that, then the Committee should take that information into account and act accordingly. However, we have recently witnessed United Nations mechanisms in general, and subsidiary bodies of the Security Council in particular, being utilized to abuse the sanctions toolbox. In some cases, we have witnessed unsubstantiated, propagandistic statements. That is unacceptable and undermines the authority of the United Nations. We will firmly oppose attempts to use any politicized leverage to dilute the counter-terrorism nature of the 1267 Committee. We will continue to oppose proposed shifts in priorities, whereby instead of real cooperation to combat ISIL, Al-Qaida and related terrorist groups, the focus of attention is shifted to secondary issues that have no added value as regards countering the terrorist threat. It is unacceptable to automatically link sexual and gender-based violence to terrorism. We believe that cases involving sexual violence should be considered on the basis of credible information and cannot and should not be used as stand-alone criteria for listing. In conclusion, we would like to emphasize that, in working on the text of the resolution, our delegation demonstrated a constructive attitude and readiness to seek compromise in a responsible manner. We justified our positions on all complex and contentious issues. However, the American sponsors did not consider it worthwhile to preserve the spirit of consensus of the counter-terrorism agenda in the Security Council. This was not an easy decision for us, but we did not block the adoption of the resolution because we believe it is important to continue the work of the Monitoring Team and the Ombudsperson. In our work, we will continue to take a responsible approach to the designation of individuals and organizations on the resolution 1267 (1999) sanctions list, on the basis, primarily, of the terrorist nature of their actions.

France welcomes the adoption of this resolution (resolution 2734 (2024)) renewing the mandate of the Monitoring Team established under resolution 1267 (1999) and the provisions relating to the Ombudsperson. We thank the United States for leading the negotiations. The terrorism of Da’esh and Al-Qaida is one of the main threats to international peace and security. We will continue our joint struggle against those terrorist groups. The resolution we have just adopted updates the sanctions regime against Da’esh and Al-Qaida to better take into account the evolution of that threat. It reminds us that we must continue our efforts, in particular to combat terrorist propaganda and to eliminate the sources of funding for terrorist groups. France welcomes that. Above all, the resolution enables us to establish that sexual and gender-based violence are, in some cases, part of terrorist tactics. Let us just remember that 10 years ago Da’esh attacked the Yazidis, in particular the women and girls of that community, many of whom were subjected to sexual violence, including sexual exploitation, and reduced to slavery. Those women continue to suffer the consequences of the atrocities committed by Da’esh. France has not forgotten them. We continue to work to ensure that those crimes do not go unpunished. We therefore welcome the adoption of this resolution, which paves the way for greater recognition of such forms of violence in the international fight against terrorism. From now on, they can be taken into account in requests for inclusion on the sanctions list, and the Monitoring Team will have to include those issues in its dialogue with Member States and in its reports. That is a further step in our fight against impunity for perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence. I reiterate France’s full commitment to the fight against terrorism.

Algeria’s vote in favour of this resolution (resolution 2734 (2024)) reflects our conviction that it upholds the core objectives and legitimacy of the resolution 1267 (1999) sanctions regime regarding Da’esh and Al-Qaida. We also believe that it responds to the evolving terrorist threat, considering the gravity of that threat and our unwavering commitment to international cooperation in countering terrorism. We regret that the resolution was not adopted by consensus. The resolution 1267 (1999) sanctions regime has always derived its strength and effectiveness from the unity and political commitment of all Council members. Algeria appreciates the efforts of the penholder to address the concerns of our delegation. However, we are still of the view that some matters deserve further consideration, including in the relevant United Nations bodies. Moreover, we underscore the importance of the Member State-driven nature of the listing and delisting processes, and of preserving the character of those processes. We firmly believe that the mandate of the Monitoring Team should not be politicized, as that would undermine the credibility and effectiveness of the entire sanctions regime. In addition, renewing the mandates of the Ombudsperson and the Monitoring Team for an extended period will provide greater continuity and resilience for the implementation of the sanctions regime. We also support efforts to further strengthen the independence and capacity of the Ombudsperson in line with due process. In conclusion, Algeria will continue to work constructively with all delegations to preserve the integrity and effectiveness of the resolution 1267 (1999) sanctions regime.

Sierra Leone welcomes the adoption of resolution 2734 (2024), which reaffirms the commitment of the United Nations to fighting against terrorism and terrorist acts, especially those committed by Da’esh, Al-Qaida and their affiliates. We voted in favour of the resolution to renew the mandate of the sanctions regime established under resolution 1267 (1999) because of our firm belief that it has been an effective mechanism in combating global terrorism and in fighting against Da’esh, despite ongoing challenges. We believe that the adoption of this resolution further highlights the need for ongoing vigilance in monitoring terrorist groups and encourages international cooperation to support anti-terrorism efforts. In voting for this resolution, we believe that high- risk jurisdictions must comply with international standards for combating the financing of terrorism and anti-money laundering, as established by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). We also recognize the efforts of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate and the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism to involve the FATF and other global financial regulatory bodies in that process. Similarly, we welcome the inclusion of sexual and gender-based violence as a designated listing criterion. We believe that that is a positive step in the right direction, and we look forward to its full implementation. In addition, its inclusion as a designated criterion will help to increase accountability for sexual and gender- based violence linked to terrorism. We appreciate the Security Council’s continued commitment to preventing terrorist acts and promoting peace and prosperity through collaboration and dialogue with host and neighbouring countries in the fight against global terrorism. In conclusion, we congratulate the United States of America, in its capacity as penholder, for steering the negotiations in an inclusive manner and for considering all Council members’ input and positions.