S/PV.9856 Security Council

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; and Ms. Natalia Gherman, Executive Director, Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I give the floor to Mr. Voronkov. Mr. Voronkov: I am honoured to brief the Security Council on the twentieth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat (S/2025/72). I am pleased to be joined by Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, Ms. Natalia Gherman, to present this report, which was prepared jointly by our Offices. I would also like to thank Mr. Colin Smith, Coordinator of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, for their contribution in the preparation of this report. The terrorism landscape is evolving and demands collective, multilateral action, as terrorist attacks threaten life, well-being and the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals. Despite steady counter-terrorism efforts by Member States, international and regional partners, Da’esh continues to demonstrate resilience and adapt its modus operandi. The volatile situation in the Syrian Arab Republic is of great concern, especially as there is a risk that stockpiles of advanced weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists. The Syrian Badiyah region continued to serve as a centre for Da’esh external operational planning and a critical region for its activities. This instability also affects the camps and the detention and other facilities in the north-east of the country. An estimated 42,500 individuals, some with alleged links to Da’esh, continue to be held, including 17,700 Iraqi and 16,200 Syrian nationals, as well as 8,600 nationals from other countries. Regrettably, the overall pace of repatriations declined significantly in the reporting period. Only five Member States reportedly repatriated more than 760 individuals from Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic. The Government of Iraq repatriated approximately 400 Iraqi children from the north-east of the Syrian Arab Republic to a rehabilitation centre. I would like to commend Iraq’s leadership in facilitating the return of its citizens from north-eastern Syria. I reiterate the Secretary-General’s call for Member States to facilitate the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of their nationals still stranded in those camps and facilities. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan Province (ISIL-K) continued to pose a significant threat in Afghanistan, the region and beyond. In addition to attacks in Afghanistan, ISIL-K supporters plotted attacks in Europe and were actively seeking to recruit individuals from Central Asian States. There were also reports of small numbers of foreign terrorist fighters continuing to travel to Afghanistan. I would like to recall the Secretary-General’s appeal to all Member States to unite to prevent Afghanistan from again becoming a hotbed of terrorist activities. In East Africa, Da’esh in Somalia successfully recruited foreign terrorist fighters and the Al-Karrar office remains a key financial and coordination hub for Da’esh in the region. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Allied Democratic Forces remained resilient despite the military operations conducted by Congolese and Ugandan forces and perpetrated horrific attacks resulting in more than 300 civilian fatalities. The resilience of terrorist groups underscores the need for sustained international collaboration. Member States must prioritize comprehensive, long-term responses that address the conditions conducive to terrorism while strengthening the rule of law and upholding international human rights and humanitarian law. The United Nations continues to adapt and tailor its capacity-building support to the evolving threat posed by Da’esh and its affiliates. In that regard, I would like to highlight four priority areas of focus. First, as sub-Saharan Africa has become the epicentre of global terrorism, we have prioritized capacity-building support to the continent. Last year, my Office increased its delivery of technical assistance by 16 per cent. For instance, our Global Fusion Cells Programme delivered specialized training to 124 analysts from 21 African Member States. Our Global Programme on the Protection of Vulnerable Targets provided tailored support to five new African beneficiaries, including Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mauritania and Senegal, to enhance the security of critical infrastructure and soft targets. Secondly, in the light of the situation in north-east Syria, the United Nations continues to advise and support Member States in their efforts to prosecute, rehabilitate and reintegrate individuals associated with terrorist groups. In Iraq, my Office provided advice, training and equipment to assist with the registration and screening of adults seeking repatriation from the Al-Hol camp, in close coordination with other United Nations entities. In Central Asia, the Office of Counter-Terrorism, the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe supported the organization of the second meeting of the Central Asia Regional Expert Council on Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Returnees from Conflict Zones. In the context of returnees, it is important to recall that many people who are now in camps in the Syrian Arab Republic and Iraq actually fled from Da’esh’s violence. It is therefore paramount that we continue to amplify victims’ voices, to ensure sustained support for victims of terrorism. To pursue those goals, the Office of Counter-Terrorism co-organized, with the Government of Spain, the International Conference on Victims of Terrorism in October 2024, convening participants from 66 countries. Thirdly, we need to further strengthen border security to counter the movements of terrorists. In November 2024, my Office partnered with the Governments of Kuwait and Tajikistan, in the framework of the Dushanbe process, to organize a High- level Conference on Strengthening International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation and Building Agile Border Security Mechanisms. The Kuwait Declaration on Border Security and Management emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation and innovative border security measures. Meanwhile, our flagship all-of-United Nations Countering Terrorist Travel Programme continued to expand, with 63 Fourthly, we continue to support Member States in harnessing the opportunities offered by new technologies. In November, we launched the CT TECH+ initiative with INTERPOL and the European Union to provide tailored support to address the misuse of new technologies for terrorist purposes. In addition, my Office delivered operational training to more than 100 officials in South-East Asia and West Africa to operate uncrewed aerial systems for counter-terrorism and border security purposes. Terrorism remains a significant and evolving threat to global peace and security, one that no State can confront in isolation. Sustained multilateral cooperation remains essential to countering terrorism effectively. In the Pact for the Future (General Assembly resolution 79/1), adopted in September 2024, Member States renewed their commitment to a future free from terrorism and highlighted whole-of- government and whole-of-society approaches to counter-terrorism. The United Nations, through its Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, remains committed to supporting Member States in that regard. By working together, we can address this evolving threat and build a more secure future.

I thank Mr. Voronkov for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Gherman. Ms. Gherman: I am honoured to address the Security Council concerning the twentieth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by Da’esh to international peace and security (S/2025/72), as well as to highlight the efforts of the United Nations to support Member States in addressing those challenges. I wish to thank Under-Secretary-General and Head of the Office of Counter-Terrorism, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, and Mr. Colin Smith, Coordinator of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, as well as all of our United Nations partners for their close collaboration on the report. The challenges posed by Da’esh remain complex, with humanitarian, security and governance concerns persisting across the regions affected by its activities. The humanitarian and security crisis in the north-east of the Syrian Arab Republic remains dire, with more than 40,000 individuals confined in camps and detention facilities in conditions marked by overcrowding, inadequate shelter and limited access to clean water and sanitation. Beyond the Middle East, Da’esh remains agile, taking advantage of ongoing conflicts, and regions are experiencing growing instability. As we heard from the Deputy Secretary-General in the Security Council last month (see S/PV.9842), after devastating so many parts of the world for more than a decade, Da’esh and other terrorist groups now pose the most significant threat to peace, security and sustainable development across the African continent. Armed terrorist groups such as Islamic State West Africa Province exploit fragile conditions to recruit and use children, commit abductions and attack schools and hospitals. In the Sahel and the Lake Chad basin, Da’esh’s centralized operations continue to proliferate as regional cooperation declines. As underlined by recent reports of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, the role of regional financial hubs used by Da’esh and its affiliates has also expanded. Addressing those threats requires an approach centred on prevention, grounded in respect for human rights and with regional cooperation as the linchpin. The United Nations has continued its efforts to support Member States in addressing the threat posed by Da’esh. On behalf of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, in the last year, CTED conducted visits to Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Malawi, Mauritania CTED has just concluded an assessment visit to Somalia. Those assessments highlighted promising practices, such as the adoption of whole-of-government approaches to counter-terrorism and efforts to address conditions fuelling violent extremism conducive to terrorism. At the same time, the Committee’s assessments also revealed persistent challenges, including gaps in border security, ongoing deficiencies in national counter-financing of terrorism responses and the need for stronger regional collaboration to counter the transnational nature of Da’esh activities. Officials in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire expressed the need for the United Nations to support improved regional cooperation, which is essential to counteract further expansion of the terrorist threat southward. Other United Nations efforts have focused on strengthening humanitarian responses and enhancing institutional frameworks. The United Nations has facilitated the civil documentation and reintegration of displaced individuals in the Middle East, even as the pace of repatriation has significantly declined. Equally important, prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes remain a cornerstone of those efforts. Tailored initiatives have strengthened rehabilitation in prisons and focused on community-based socioeconomic reintegration services, particularly for vulnerable adolescents. In parallel, facilitating accountability for terrorist offences and promoting the respect for human rights in counter-terrorism remain priorities. The conclusion of the mandate of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for the Crimes Committed by Da’esh/Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant marked a milestone, leaving behind an impressive judicial support legacy and a noteworthy archive for possible future accountability processes. Furthermore, considerable strides have been made in assisting Member States with countering the financing of terrorism. As mandated by the Delhi Declaration on countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes, the Counter-Terrorism Committee just last month adopted the non-binding guiding principles on preventing, detecting and disrupting the use of new and emerging financial technologies for terrorist purposes, also known as the Algeria Guiding Principles. The Guiding Principles have been prepared with the support of CTED and highlight the importance of a comprehensive, risk-based approach and provide practical guidance to Member States. To raise the awareness of Member States and implementing partners on the evolution of terrorism financing threats, in November 2024, CTED published a report highlighting the changes in how foreign terrorist fighters have financed their activities over the past 10 years. CTED is also engaged in joint projects with the Financial Action Task Force in that regard and has supported relevant capacity-building initiatives of other Global Compact entities, including a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime initiative in Mozambique whereby the first successful prosecution of a terrorist financing case was recently achieved. Those collective efforts underscore the importance of a united and adaptive response to the evolving threat posed by Da’esh. The group’s ability to exploit instability highlights the need for sustained international cooperation. CTED, working alongside Member States and other United Nations partners and entities, remains committed to ensuring that our actions are countering the emerging challenges.

I thank Ms. Gherman for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

As this is my first time to be sitting with you, Mr. President, in the Council, I would just like to congratulate you on your Countering Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) and other terrorist groups around the world is a top priority for the Trump Administration. President Trump has already taken decisive action in conjunction with the Somali Government by directing precision air strikes against ISIS in Somalia on 1 February. President Trump’s message is clear: the United States always stands ready to find and eliminate terrorists who threaten the United States and our allies. ISIS has expanded the frequency and lethality of its attacks in the Sahel, making the region the global epicentre for fatalities from terrorist attacks. ISIS Somalia, ISIS Sahel and ISIS West Africa therefore collectively pose a significant threat to stability and prosperity in Africa. As the Secretary-General’s report highlights, ISIS affiliates in Central Asia, most notably the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan (ISIL-K), also pose a significant global threat. We remain concerned about ISIL-K’s capabilities to plot and conduct attacks and its sustained recruitment campaigns, in particular in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We are also watching closely the situation in Syria. The United States wants stability and security in the region, and we want a Syria that lives in peace with its neighbours, respects human rights and prohibits terrorists from using its country as a safe haven. The United States urges Member States to repatriate expeditiously and prosecute, as appropriate, their foreign terrorist fighter nationals currently in northeast Syrian detention facilities. Those individuals must not be allowed to replenish ISIS ranks. The United States is committed to preventing Syria from being used as a base for ISIS, Iranian-backed terrorism or other terrorist groups that threaten the region. The complete and verifiable destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons programme is vital to regional security and stability and ensuring that those weapons are not used for terrorism. Accountability for terrorist attacks and other terrorist activity is key to the fight against terrorism and to deterring such acts from taking place in the future. In that vein, we urge the members of the Council to take action and agree, in the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), to list more ISIL and Al-Qaida affiliates, so that they will be subject to a worldwide assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo. Furthermore, we encourage Member States to play an active and timely role in updating and implementing sanctions pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) to counter ISIS and Al-Qaida. Money is the lifeblood of terrorists. We must bolster our collective efforts to stem the flow of funds to terrorists and terror groups. Finally, as the Secretary-General correctly notes, Member States’ efforts to counter terrorism must expand beyond the security-centred approaches and include comprehensive efforts to prevent and deter emerging terrorist threats. The measures Member States take to counter that grave threat to international peace and security must be in line with the rule of law, respect human rights and not be used as a pretext to silence political dissent.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov and Executive Director Natalia Gherman for their briefings. Terrorism today remains a grave and urgent threat to international peace and security. Only last month, we gathered in this very room to discuss the increasingly devastating impact of terrorism on the African continent (see S/PV.9842). One important takeaway from that discussion is the fact that terrorism is evolving. With that evolution, we are seeing shifts in the means and motivations of terrorist activities, growing into linkages between criminal and terrorist groups, and increased use of information and communications technologies, including gaming and social media The Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team has reported extensively on the increased risk of online radicalization and recruitment, targeting youth and minors and the growing use of cryptocurrencies by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh). The Secretary-General’s twentieth report on the threats posed by ISIL (S/2025/72) has also sounded the alarm about the potential use of artificial intelligence by terrorist groups, given the widespread accessibility of advanced technology and experiments with artificial intelligence. Also alarming is the fact that Member States have reported a decrease in the average age of those being radicalized to terrorism. Terrorism knows no boundaries. It is not confined to any specific group, country or region. Addressing the security challenges alone will not result in sustainable solutions. Combating terrorism requires a comprehensive and holistic approach. In that context, Guyana commends the efforts of the international community and regional and subregional organizations to look beyond strict security concerns and to strengthen cooperation in relation to development-related causes and solutions. The interlinkages between poverty, inequality and marginalization and terrorism and violent extremism are undeniable. To address the root causes, therefore, we must continue to prioritize socioeconomic initiatives that empower communities, enhance educational opportunities and create purposeful jobs, especially for our young people. Poverty and the consequent vulnerability of our young people in the absence of opportunities for a better life create fertile grounds for recruitment by terrorists. We also see an increasingly important role for the media and civil society, including academics and faith-based groups, in combating both terrorism and the violent extremism that can fuel it. Guyana acknowledges and commends the efforts of the United Nations in the continued support being extended to Member States, including in the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the relevant Security Council resolutions. Through our combined efforts, we have seen marked improvements in the criminalization of terrorist offences, intelligence-sharing, border security, cross-regional and international cooperation, prevention policies and interventions and improved counter-terrorism strategies, among other areas. Notwithstanding those achievements, our goal of eradicating this scourge cannot be achieved without making real progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We must ensure that the Pact for the Future (General Assembly resolution 79/1) turbocharges SDG implementation as was intended. In that way, we can scale up preventive measures through addressing the root causes of terrorism, including poverty and marginalization. Additionally, our efforts must extend to supporting the victims of terrorism. We must provide them with the necessary assistance and ensure that their voices are heard. The perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions, and justice must be served. In conclusion, let us reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The security and well-being of our people is at stake. Together, we can build a safer, more secure world for future generations.

At the outset, I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and Executive Director Gherman for their comprehensive briefings. On 21 January, during its presidency of the Security Council, Algeria convened a high-level meeting on countering terrorism in Africa (see S/PV.9842) to sound the alarm on the dire situation resulting from the expansion of terrorism on our continent. The meeting marked an important milestone in our collective approach The meeting’s significance and its outcomes are also highlighted by the findings contained in the report of the Secretary-General that we are discussing today (S/2025/72), which paints a deeply concerning picture regarding terrorist threats, in particular in Africa. The report explicitly reflects what we notice on the ground. Countering terrorism in Africa, in particular in the Sahel, involves confronting heavily armed and well-equipped groups that are using advanced military strategies. Of particular concern are the increasingly complex financing methods being used by those terrorist groups, which include conventional means — such as organized crime, narcotics trafficking, illegal migration, human trafficking and kidnapping for ransom  — and new technologies and financial innovations. This underscores the significance of the Algeria Guiding Principles recently adopted by the Counter- Terrorism Committee in addressing those challenges. Against that backdrop, I would like to highlight the following key points. First, coordination between Member States, regional organizations and United Nations entities on counter-terrorism should be promoted. The evolving nature of threats, including those related to emerging technologies and evolving financing methods, require international cooperation. Secondly, addressing the root causes remains essential. The report of the Secretary-General clarifies how terrorist groups are exploiting underdevelopment, political instability and marginalization. Our response should therefore combine security arrangements and development initiatives, while focusing on creating opportunities for all segments of society. Thirdly, the increasing use of advanced technology by terrorist groups requires a coordinated international response to prevent the use of such technologies for terrorist purposes, while ensuring respect for the law. Based on Algeria’s experience in addressing and fighting terrorism, the success of our efforts requires strong institutions, comprehensive response strategies, national unity, resilience and determination. In conclusion, Algeria reiterates its commitment to implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the relevant Security Council resolutions. Algeria stands ready to share its experience to promote comprehensive approaches that combine security arrangements and prevention strategies.

I also thank Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and Executive Director Gherman for their briefings. We meet today to discuss a threat that remains as urgent as ever, namely, the continued ability of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/Da’esh (ISIL/Da’esh) to adapt, exploit instability and spread its influence. Our briefers have been clear — despite decades of international efforts, ISIL has not disappeared. Allow me to focus on three key areas. First, we must not underestimate ISIL’s ability to exploit instability across the world. In Syria, the fall of the Al-Assad regime marked the end of more than half a century of a brutal and repressive dictatorship. As a new day dawns, we must collectively work to prevent a security vacuum for ISIL and other terrorist groups to Beyond Syria, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan (ISIL- KP) remains a major threat in Afghanistan and the broader region. From attacks to propaganda and recruitment, the group actively seeks to expand its influence in Central Asia, attempting to destabilize the region. Its external operations, including plots in Europe, highlight the need for strengthened regional cooperation, intelligence-sharing and counter-terrorism coordination. Disrupting ISIL-KP’s financial networks, propaganda and operational capabilities must remain a priority. Across Africa, ISIL is expanding its footprint, fuelling instability and security and committing grave human rights abuses. Across the Sahel and increasingly in the neighbouring States of coastal West Africa, the Lake Chad basin and Central Africa, the group thrives on instability and weak governance. In the Horn of Africa, the increasing presence of foreign ISIL fighters is a growing concern, as they exploit overland travel routes. Meanwhile, emerging links between terrorist groups and piracy are raising new concerns for maritime security, thereby highlighting the urgency of strengthening regional cooperation, including by strengthening border controls and improving intelligence-sharing. Secondly, it is easy to be discouraged in facing a threat that keeps mutating despite years of efforts to prevent and counter it. We have invested significant resources, attention and coordination in fighting ISIL. The fact that the threat persists does not mean that we have failed. The Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/72) highlights the important progress and lessons learned. At the same time, we must stay vigilant and flexible. ISIL has adapted. It has retained financial reserves. It has built a strong propaganda network utilizing new technologies. Simply doing more of the same would not be enough. We must constantly reassess and refine our strategies; if we are slow and rigid, we will always be one step behind. Thirdly, Denmark’s stand is clear: an effective response against terrorism must go beyond security measures. The rule of law, inclusive and meaningful participation and human rights are not obstacles to counter-terrorism  — they are its very foundation. When we compromise those principles, we weaken both our credibility and the long-term effectiveness of our efforts. A comprehensive approach is critical, one that pairs effective security measures with prevention while addressing the root causes of terrorism within a framework of human rights and strong institutions rooted in the rule of law. Counter-radicalization requires not only military and law enforcement efforts, but also investment in education, economic opportunity and community resilience. Upholding fundamental rights and reinforcing institutions that promote justice and accountability are essential to fostering long-term stability. Meaningful cooperation with local actors, youth and civil society and the integration of the women and peace and security agenda are all vital for sustainable success. In conclusion, as ISIL remains an evolving threat, our response must be resolute yet adaptable. We must have the courage to reassess our approach when circumstances shift, rather than simply reinforcing existing efforts. Denmark will continue to work closely with international partners to ensure a counter-terrorism strategy that is agile, results-driven and firmly rooted in our shared values.

I would like to thank the Under-Secretary- General, Mr. Voronkov, and the Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Allow me to make the following five key points. First, we continue to be very concerned, even more so owing to reasons of geographical proximity, about the radicalization in the broader Middle East. In that regard, religious and ethnic communities in the Middle East should be given particular attention, as they are among the main targets of terrorism. In particular, the situation in Syria remains of grave concern. The instability following the fall of the Syrian Government on 8 December presents a security vacuum that could be exploited by Da’esh and other terrorist groups. In that regard, urgent efforts are required to ensure that stockpiles of advanced weapons, including uncrewed aerial systems, do not fall into the hands of terrorists. In parallel, humanitarian assistance must be provided, not only because of the dire humanitarian conditions — particularly in detention facilities and camps in the north-east — but also as a sine qua non for an effective counter-terrorism effort. The adoption of resolution 2761 (2024) provides us with a complete institutional framework. Despite the seismic changes in Syria, Greece reiterates its support for resolution 2254 (2015). In that spirit, we reaffirm the need for a political road map, which will include constitutional reform, free and fair elections and inclusive governance. That is the only way towards the eradication not only of Da’esh, but of terrorism in general. Secondly, we should not disregard terrorist acts at sea and their serious implications for maritime security. The disruption of supply chains, serious limitations to the freedom of navigation and the destabilization of entire maritime regions are just a few of the consequences of terrorism at sea, which serves to highlight our responsibility to combat that serious threat. Thirdly, the protection of cultural heritage must remain a priority. Da’esh and its affiliates have systematically targeted historical and religious sites in an attempt not only to erase cultural identities and fuel ideological narratives, but also to fund their activities through the trafficking of looted cultural artifacts. We stress the importance of implementing measures to safeguard cultural property, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2347 (2017), which condemns the destruction of heritage as a tactic of war and a means of financing terrorism. Fourthly, the women and peace and security agenda must be central to our counter-terrorism response. In that regard, we welcome the clarification in resolution 2734 (2024) that sexual and gender-based violence constitutes a form of terrorism. Fifthly and lastly, children remain among the most vulnerable victims of terrorism, as they face the risk of recruitment, radicalization and exploitation. In accordance with resolution 2427 (2018), children affected by armed conflict must be treated primarily as victims, with dedicated efforts to provide rehabilitation, education and reintegration programmes. In conclusion, let me reiterate Greece’s full support of United Nations counter- terrorism efforts and its commitment to upholding the principles enshrined in the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The reality that we face necessitates a comprehensive and coordinated international response that integrates security measures with initiatives that address the root causes of terrorism, while always protecting and respecting human rights and the provisions of international humanitarian law.

I would like to commend you, Mr. President, and the Chinese delegation on your skilful leadership of the Security Council during this month’s presidency, and for convening this important briefing today. I would also like to express my gratitude to Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov and to We take note of the twentieth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by Da’esh to international peace and security (S/2025/72). We also take note of the thirty-fifth report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team pursuant to resolutions 1526 (2004) and 2253 (2015), concerning the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities. Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. For more than four decades, we have remained at the forefront of global counter-terrorism efforts and have been a principal target of terrorist attacks financed by our adversaries in the region, and we have paid a heavy price in innocent lives lost  — 80,000 casualties — and enormous damage to our economy. The global terrorism landscape has evolved significantly since the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001). Terrorist attacks have increased globally, especially across the Middle East, Africa and in and from Afghanistan. While the core of Al-Qaida was decimated in Afghanistan  — largely, I might mention, owing to Pakistan’s efforts — several of Al-Qaida’s subsidiaries have emerged elsewhere, including in North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Da’esh was suppressed in Syria and Iraq, but its franchises have also emerged in Afghanistan and in the Sahel. As noted in the Secretary-General’s report, the threat posed by Da’esh and its affiliates is undiminished, and they remain resilient and adaptable to counter-terrorism pressure. The international community must address the terrorist threat together, through a comprehensive, coordinated and principled strategy based upon the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, adopted by the General Assembly. I would like to make the following suggestions in that regard. First, we need a more effective response to the current and escalating threats of terrorism. We discussed the response to the complex challenges of terrorism in Africa a week ago. Mention has been made in this debate on the situation in Syria. We must sincerely address the terrorist threats from Afghanistan. After successfully decimating Al-Qaida and other terrorist groups within our borders, Pakistan continues to confront terrorist threats, such as the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Da’esh and the Majeed Brigade, which are operating from safe havens across our borders. We are concerned that, while mention is made of Da’esh, the threat that is posed to Pakistan by the TTP and the Majeed Brigade have not been mentioned by our colleagues around the table. There are more than two dozen terrorist groups operating inside Afghanistan, which is also the main hub for the recruitment and facilitation of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan, as confirmed by the Monitoring Team’s report. I repeat — Afghanistan is the main hub of recruitment of ISIL/Da’esh. We reject any imputation that there is any such recruitment in Pakistan. We are fighting Da’esh, we are fighting the TTP, we are fighting the Majeed Brigade, and we will continue to do so with determination. The threat of Da’esh, the TTP and the Majeed Brigade is a threat not only to Afghanistan, not only to Pakistan but also to the entire region and beyond. Those responsible for that situation must take those assessments into account. And the scale of the threat posed by those terrorist groups and their affiliates, which are well-documented in the report of the Secretary-General and the reports of the Monitoring Team, must be responded to. The Council must act on those assessments. Pakistan has adopted a comprehensive national counter-terrorism strategy to eliminate the threat of terrorism from across its borders. Second, we must address the root causes of terrorism. Those include poverty, injustice and prolonged unresolved conflicts, foreign occupation and the denial of the right to self-determination to peoples under colonial and foreign domination and Third, the necessary changes are needed in the United Nations counter-terrorism architecture and sanctions regimes to ensure that they are adequately equipped to respond to the current challenges and represent a fair, just and comprehensive mechanism. Pakistan also supports the Office of the Ombudsperson and advocates strengthening its operational capability and effectiveness. Fourth, we are concerned about the use of new technologies, including information and communications technology by terrorists to organize online and collaborate with transnational criminal networks to recruit and finance their activities. We must address the new cybertools of terrorism, including the dark web and cryptocurrencies, which are being utilized increasingly for radicalization campaigns, incitement to violence, terror financing, propaganda and disinformation through social media. Fifth, terrorism continues to mutate into various new forms that are not being effectively addressed. To comprehensively defeat terrorism, we must address the new and emerging forms of terrorism, including violent acts by white supremacists, far right extremists and violent nationalist, fascist, xenophobic, Islamophobic and anti-Muslim groups and groups with similar ideologies in various parts of the world. Sixth, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that counter-terrorism efforts around the world are not misused to violate human rights and international humanitarian law. There must be accountability for the violation of fundamental human rights, especially the right to self-determination and in situations of foreign occupation. Seventh, the international community has failed to address State terrorism, including the use of State power, to suppress legitimate struggles for self-determination or to continue foreign occupation, which are among its worst manifestations. And the State sponsorship of terrorism in other countries is also unaddressed. Eighth, despite protestations to the contrary, counter-terrorism policies have so far singled out only one religion — Islam — for affiliation with terrorism and extremism. Such concepts that stigmatize Muslims have fanned the flames of Islamophobia and fuelled further radicalization. Those gaps in the United Nations counter-terrorism efforts need to be addressed. And it is for that reason that Pakistan believes that the General Assembly should establish a subsidiary body to promote the universal consideration and balanced implementation of all four pillars of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy with the vital support of the Office of Counter-Terrorism as its executing arm. We will explore this proposal in consultation with all interested Member States and Mr. Vladimir Voronkov.

Let me begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to the Under-Secretary-General, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, and the Executive Director of Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, Ms. Natalia Gherman, for their comprehensive briefings. Their insights provide invaluable guidance for our collective deliberations on this critical matter. Our shared commitment to global peace and security faces continuous challenges as terrorist threats evolve and adapt to our changing world. Recent assessments demonstrate that terrorist organizations remain resilient, despite our collective efforts. They have shown remarkable adaptability, transforming their organizational structures and leveraging new technologies to pursue their objectives. That adaptability demands an equally dynamic and coordinated international response. We have observed patterns of expansion across regions, with groups establishing networks that transcend national borders. One area of shared international concern is the increasing presence of transnational actors associated with Da’esh in our region. That trend requires our sustained attention and a coordinated response. In that context, Somalia’s response offers a promising example of effective countermeasures, in which the Government has successfully conducted military operations with its international partners to neutralize foreign affiliates of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and implement joint security initiatives. Those developments demonstrate both the challenges we face and the potential for success when we work together. The approach of collaborative efforts offers an instructive example of how international cooperation can yield tangible results in our shared counter-terrorism efforts. Our direct experience with those challenges has taught us valuable lessons. We have learned that countering terrorism requires more than just a tactical response — it demands a multifaceted approach that addresses both immediate security threats and their underlying causes. The role of prevention cannot be overstated. Therefore, we must address root causes such as poverty, lack of education and unemployment, which provide fertile ground for the spread of extremist ideologies. Sustainable development remains our most powerful weapon for confronting terrorism. Technology presents both challenges and opportunities in our counter-terrorism efforts. While terrorist groups increasingly exploit digital platforms and emerging technologies, those same advances can enhance our capability to prevent and counter terrorist activities. We must ensure that our response remains technically sophisticated while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. The protection of civilians, particularly vulnerable populations, must remain at the forefront of our counter-terrorism efforts. Our strategies should prioritize civilian protection while ensuring that counter-terrorism measures do not inadvertently create additional grievances that terrorist groups might exploit. Equally important is our commitment to strengthening international legal frameworks and ensuring their effective implementation. The various Security Council resolutions on counter-terrorism provide a robust foundation, but their success depends on consistent and coordinated implementation by Member States. In conclusion, terrorism is a global challenge that affects all humankind, regardless of borders, beliefs and backgrounds. It requires sustained commitment, enhanced cooperation and unwavering resolve. The success of our counter-terrorism efforts depends on maintaining the delicate balance between security measures and respect for international law, human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is important to reaffirm our collective determination to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, while upholding the principles and values that define our international community.

I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and Ms. Natalia Gherman, Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) Executive Directorate, for their informative briefings. The Republic of Korea remains deeply concerned that terrorism continues to undermine international peace and security. The Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/72) shows once again that Da’esh persists and is adapting across the world despite concerted international counter-terrorism efforts. In Syria, Da’esh keeps trying to take advantage of regional instability and political upheaval. Da’esh is reportedly exploiting administrative gaps in central Syria, using it as its centre for planning its external operations, thereby expanding its strategic reach and capacity. Moreover, detention facilities for Da’esh in north-east Syria remain increasingly fragile. Long-standing humanitarian concerns, reports of internal recruitment and the continued failure to repatriate detainees further heighten the risk of radicalization within these facilities. In Afghanistan, the threat of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan Province (ISIL-K) remains deeply intertwined with the country’s fragile security landscape. The group continues to exploit ethnic and sectarian divisions, increasing recruitment among marginalized communities. Meanwhile, the expansion of jihadi madrasas create an environment conducive to radicalization. While acknowledging the Taliban’s counter-terrorism efforts against ISIL-K, concerns remain over its selective response to terrorism. The broader dynamics among terrorist groups, including Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan and Al-Qaida, add further complexity, requiring close monitoring and a more effective international response. Together, these global threats underscore the urgency of our coordinated actions to address the multifaceted challenges posed by terrorism. Allow me to make three points in that regard. First, the rapid evolution of new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), presents both opportunities and challenges for counter-terrorism efforts. While terrorist groups are increasingly exploiting AI for propaganda and recruitment, AI also offers powerful tools to enhance our collective response to terrorism. By leveraging AI-driven analytics, we can improve threat detection, disrupt terrorist narratives and bolster information integrity. In that regard, the Republic of Korea is pleased to announce its new “AI and preventing and countering violent extremism” project, designed in collaboration with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism. This project seeks to map out how terrorists exploit AI in their narratives and build the capacity of Member States to counter these tactics by incorporating AI solutions. We welcome the engagement of Member States in that important endeavour. Secondly, evolving terrorism financing that leverages cybertechnologies and digital platforms requires a new and coordinated response. As noted during the June high-level open debate during our Council presidency last year (see S/PV.9662), malicious cyberactivities are employed for terrorism financing, underscoring the need for continued vigilance. As such, we reiterate the importance of the Council deepening its understanding of evolving threats in cyberspace. We also welcome the CTC’s recent adoption of non-binding guiding principles on countering terrorism financing, which offers timely guidance for enhancing national regulatory measures. As a member of the Financial Action Task Force, the Republic of Korea will continue to contribute to developing robust standards on anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing. Thirdly, preventing and countering violent extremism must be embedded in action plans for sustaining peace across the peace continuum. From the perspective of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, initiatives addressing the root causes of radicalization play a pivotal role in containing the proliferation of terrorism

Let me thank Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and Executive Director Gherman for their very helpful briefings today. The United Kingdom remains fully focused on tackling the continued threat from Da’esh and its affiliates. While steady progress has been made by the international community to suppress Da’esh, we cannot become complacent. Da’esh continues to exploit regional instability, drive division and seek new ways to finance its operations through emerging technology, and that remains a global threat that we need to address collectively. In the Middle East, after decades of atrocities committed by the Al-Assad regime, the United Kingdom stands with the people of Syria and their desire to build a more stable, free and prosperous future. We welcome continued efforts, including by the Global Coalition to Counter Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, to suppress Da’esh and reduce the risk it poses as Syria embarks on this historic political transition. Iraq also remains a critical partner  — the reduction in Da’esh’s influence and impact in Iraq is a credit to the Iraqi determination and sustained military efforts, alongside coalition partners. The United Kingdom remains committed to achieving justice for survivors of Da’esh’s crimes. We will continue working with the Government of Iraq as it builds on the legacy of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and delivers accountability through its National Centre for International Judicial Cooperation. In Asia, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan Province (IS-KP) continues to pose a threat despite work to combat it, including by Pakistan and other countries in the region. The United Kingdom continues to coordinate action against the group through the IS-KP Diplomatic Grouping, targeting its propaganda and seeking to restrict its access to financial resources. In Africa, Da’esh continues to spread across large parts of the continent, threatening regional stability and inspiring individuals to conduct attacks. The African Union plays a central role in coordinating the international response, and the United Kingdom welcomes, for example, the renewed mandate of the Multinational Joint Task Force and the recent deployment of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia. Finally, we cannot fight terrorism with force alone. A whole-of-society approach, with the meaningful participation of women, is needed to address the long-term drivers of terrorism. The protection of human rights and the rule of law should be at the heart of all of our efforts.

We thank Vladimir Voronkov and Ms. Gherman for their briefings on the activities of United Nations agencies for countering Da’esh entrusted to them. We highly value their efforts and we will continue to provide them with comprehensive support. The latest thematic report of the Secretary-General (S/2025/72) notes that the threat posed by Da’esh not only remains present, but it continues to grow. Last month in the Council, there was an open debate on counter-terrorism in Africa (see S/PV.9842). Practically all participants expressed concerns about the activities of terrorist fighters. That reaffirms the relevance and the global scope of the threat. We firmly believe that victory in counter-terrorism can only be secured if we pool our A host of Western States do not view terrorism as an absolute evil, and they do not embrace a policy of zero tolerance vis-à-vis terrorism. For them, it is a tool for the advancement of neocolonialist policies, to exert pressure on sovereign States and to ensure their own domination. Therefore, without a twinge of conscience, they support, they finance and they arm terrorists, because it is very convenient for them to nourish the terrorist hydra with their own hands, in order to carry out military aggression against foreign Governments and to engage in the long-term occupation of their territories. African States, which have found themselves on the front lines of counter- terrorism efforts, now speak openly about the role of Western countries in the emergence of terrorism, including deliberate subversive activity and years-long supposed counter-terrorism operations that, when scrutinized, turn out to be facades to justify maintaining a foreign military presence, something that local populations have found worrisome for a long time. In that regard, we note the appalling and entirely unsubstantiated conclusion contained in the Secretary-General’s report under consideration today. Allegedly, one of the reasons for the eastward expansion of the activities of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara is the counter-terrorism operations of States in neighbouring regions between Burkina Faso, Mali and the Niger. How is it possible, logically, to blame States for efforts to counter terrorism and attempts to protect their own populations from terrorist fighters? Such conclusions cast doubt on the competence of the staff of the Secretariat who draft drafted the report. Instead of such conjecture, they would be well advised to study the facts concerning the assistance provided to terrorists in the Sahel by certain Western States and Kyiv, which have effectively provided cover for the activity of terrorists and have prevented their destruction. Ukraine has been providing drones and weapons to terrorists. Its authorities have directly acknowledged that they have provided assistance to Al-Qaida affiliates that carried out attacks on Government forces in Mali. Ukraine previously had been used as a staging ground for foreign terrorist fighters, and now it has morphed into a logistics hub from which the Western weapons provided to the Kyiv regime proliferate throughout the entire world. Those weapons fall into the hands of both criminals and terrorists. Ukrainian authorities are flaunting the conduct of terrorist attacks as well as their links with international terrorist networks. Terrorism has its root causes. They include armed conflicts, poverty, the weakness of government institutions and the lack of control over natural resources. We cannot ignore the fact that many of those problems are often a part of the grim legacy of colonialism. However, there was a trigger that often goes unspoken — NATO’s invasion of Libya and Iraq, which spawned Da’esh. It is also important to note that the nurturing of fighters and the formation of extremist ideology is often carried out by extraregional forces that deftly exploit socioeconomic issues; disseminate distorted interpretations of cultural and religious pillars, traditions and values; and exploit ideas of fictitious superiority or historical grievances. In that regard, international terrorists, including Al-Qaida and Da’esh, have a lot in common with radical nationalists in Ukraine who, with the support of Western sponsors, have turned into unrepentant terrorists, such as the Azov Battalion and Against that backdrop, we are not at all surprised by the recent disclosures related to the activities of the United States Agency for International Development. For a long time, we have been saying that it finances radical elements throughout the world. Previously, such statements were attributed to Russian propaganda, but ultimately they all turned out to be true. The problem of weapons falling into the hands of terrorists was not properly addressed in the Secretary-General’s report. During operations to eliminate Da’esh, vast troves of Western weapons have been repeatedly found in militants’ depots, as well as weapons manufactured in East European factories. Even Western media outlets sometimes publish stories on the topic of weapons deliveries to the Middle East. Furthermore, we cannot ignore the situation in Afghanistan, where the growing activity of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan is no coincidence. The NATO troops who hastily left Afghanistan abandoned vast quantities of weapons and equipment, which then fell into the hands of Da’esh, among others. We highlight the importance of measures to ensure the return of foreign terrorist fighters from conflict zones, specifically Syria and Iraq. As may be seen from the Secretary-General’s report, camps such as Al-Hol and Al-Roj, in north-east Syria, with tens of thousands of people, including women and children, are plagued by violence and human rights violations. Those camps are hotbeds of radicalization and are used by terrorists to recruit new fighters. A number of States have cited political and legal reasons for continuing to refuse to repatriate their own citizens, thereby contributing to the true root cause of the human rights violations mentioned in the report. We call upon all States to step up efforts to ensure the return of their own citizens, including the fighters themselves as well as their family members. At the same time, following repatriation the primary task is to hold such citizens accountable for the crimes committed. The Russian Federation is committed to the task of returning our citizens. We have already returned more than 500 people, including women and children, from Syria and Iraq. We have made their rehabilitation and reintegration a priority. Returning to the issue of double standards in counter-terrorism, I wish to underscore that that approach undermines international peace and security. We demand that Western countries be transparent and eschew selective approaches when it comes to counter-terrorism. Almost a quarter of a century has passed since the events of 11 September 2001. At the time, the international community came together quickly and was able to build a comprehensive counter-terrorism architecture. It is important not to destroy those hard-won foundations built through concerted efforts.

Let me thank Under- Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov and the Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, Natalia Gherman, for their valuable remarks, and you, Mr. President, for addressing this important item as part of the agenda of your presidency. Panama expresses its deep concern at the latent threat that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) poses to international peace and security, as the Secretary-General underscored his twentieth report (S/2025/72). The report reflects a harsh reality: terrorism has not disappeared, it has mutated, infiltrating digital spaces, exploiting conflicts, violating human rights and capitalizing on a dearth of opportunities to recruit to, and finance, its cause. The factors just described demand our consideration and action in certain areas. Secondly, and equally striking is their ingenuity in financing and the use of new and emerging technologies. We are aware that terrorism thrives on the clandestine flow of money in the shadows. We continue to be deeply alarmed because, despite international pressure, Da’esh continues to enhance its aptitude for innovation in the use of advanced technologies, decentralizing its operations and exploiting new forms of financing to ensure its continuity, including cryptocurrencies and other digital mechanisms. Panama is one of the few countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, if not the only, to belong to the Global Coalition against Da’esh, focusing our support exclusively on preventing terrorist groups from using Panama’s banking system to fund themselves. That is why we are pleased to see the progress reflected in the report, in line with the coalition’s joint communiqué of October 2024, which the United States spearheaded. We call for continued national, regional, and inter-agency cooperation to develop tools for the identification and confiscation of assets intended for terrorism. Thirdly, the humanitarian crisis and the repatriation and reintegration situation are a cause for concern. We note with alarm the upsurge in violence and fighting between armed groups, which is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Syria and creating a climate conducive to the resurgence of terrorist groups. We issue an urgent appeal to the international community to step up efforts to provide protection, assistance and specialized support to minors and women affected by terrorism. Only through a humanitarian approach grounded in the rights of the child will we be able to safeguard and prevent them from being punished on two counts — by terrorism and international neglect. We acknowledge the efforts of some States to repatriate, rehabilitate and reintegrate children associated with terrorist groups, and we encourage the international community to follow suit. We believe that, in the Secretary-General’s request to facilitate safe repatriation, it is essential that such efforts include effective programmes that enable them to reintegrate into their communities, away from the influence of extremist groups, and afford them opportunities for education, employment and stability. That notwithstanding, all those efforts must be complemented by ongoing support to affected countries to strengthen their security institutions, promote economic development and tackle the root causes of radicalization.

I would like to thank Mr. Voronkov and Ms. Gherman for their briefings. Terrorism remains one of the gravest threats to international peace and security. Da’esh, Al-Qaida and their affiliates represent the most acute terrorist threat. They continue to regroup and to expand their presence across several continents. In the Da’esh in particular is strengthening its stronghold in the Sahel, the Gulf of Guinea and the Horn of Africa. The rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant- Khorasan  — regarded as the most active Da’esh splinter  — is a major cause for concern. Da’esh remains a significant threat in Iraq, in particular in Syria. The organization is seeking to exploit the current transition to recreate a safe haven in the country. We call on the transitional Syrian authorities to continue the fight against terrorism and to safeguard the gains of the years of struggle against Da’esh. The modus operandi of those terrorist groups is evolving. They are abusing new technologies, such as drones, to carry out increasingly targeted and lethal attacks. They continue to exploit the Internet and social media in order to amplify the impact of their attacks, to disseminate propaganda aimed at radicalizing audiences and inciting action or to attract fresh recruits. Those groups thrive on violations of fundamental rights, the exclusion of women and gender inequality. Their use of sexual violence as a means of spreading terror is documented. Given the evolving threat, our response must be comprehensive and tailored to the situation on the ground. France continues to play its part alongside its partners in the Global Coalition against Da’esh. The strikes carried out in December 2024 under the umbrella of the Coalition highlight our determination in the fight against Da’esh. The Coalition’s efforts must continue along its military and civilian tracks. However, our common fight against terrorism can only be effective if it also tackles the root causes of radicalization leading to violence. Support for development and the strengthening of governance, the rule of law and the fight against corruption are essential complements to the security approach. The so-called security offers made by some private military companies run counter to that global approach and only fuel terrorism. The fight against terrorism must be part of a framework of partnership, including regional and international organizations. We must make full use of the multilateral instruments put in place by the Council, including the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities, which is central to the international counter- terrorism system. The Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate plays a key role in guiding States in implementing resolutions through its targeted recommendations, which are adapted to national contexts. The Office of Counter- Terrorism and the entities of the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact provide precious technical assistance to strengthen the capacities of States affected by terrorism. The work of the international counter-Da’esh coalition is in full compliance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant Council resolutions. Our responses must adapt to changes in the terrorist threat. The fight against the financing of terrorism is therefore a priority. It is necessary to come together to fight all forms of financing, including cryptoassets and online crowdfunding. Lastly, I would like to recall that no counter-terrorism strategy will be effective unless it is based on full respect for human rights and the rule of law.

I thank the briefers, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov and Ms. Natalia Gherman, for their invaluable insights on the evolving threats posed by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/Da’esh (ISIL/Da’esh) and its affiliates. At the outset, we express our sincere condolences to all those Member States that have suffered from recent terrorist attacks resulting in unfortunate loss of lives and Sierra Leone welcomes the Secretary-General’s twentieth biannual strategic- level report on the threat posed by ISIL/Da’esh to international peace and security (S/2025/72). We acknowledge the critical work by United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Coordination Compact entities in addressing those threats and attacks, their impact and the underlying conditions that are conducive to their entrenchment and spread. Globally, terrorism is the most significant threat to international peace and security today. Over the past few years, the global terrorist threat has evolved and expanded in many countries and regions. ISIL/Da’esh and its affiliates continue to demonstrate resilience and adapt their modus operandi with extensive propaganda and increased finances, fighters, expertise and technology. That is despite the steady progress made by Member States in targeting its leadership and financial operations. The situation in Syria is deeply troubling, with the possibility of ISIL exploiting the fragile security situation to strengthen its position and expand its operations. There is also a risk that the stockpiles of advanced weapons, including uncrewed aircraft systems in the country, could be unsecured and fall into its hands, especially given that thousands of ISIL fighters still remain in prisons and refugee camps in north-eastern Syria, including in Al-Hol camp, which accommodates approximately 39,000 ISIL members. ISIL/Da’esh branches and affiliates, including Islamic State West Africa Province, pose the greatest danger to stability and development in the West Africa and Sahel region, with violent attacks soaring by more than 250 per cent in just two years. According to the African Union Counter Terrorism Centre, more than 3,400 terrorist attacks resulting in almost 14,000 fatalities were recorded on the African continent in 2024 alone. Those statistics tell a chilling story, and recent attacks in Nigeria, Mali and Benin bring the horrifying reality into sharp focus. The impact of terrorist activity on women and girls is particularly devastating. Terrorists frequently exploit and brutalize women through sexual and gender-based violence, including forced marriages and abductions, causing profound trauma that reverberates through entire communities. Families are displaced, livelihoods are destroyed, and the social fabric necessary for resilience and recovery is torn apart. In that regard, we acknowledge the importance of resolution 2734 (2024), which recognizes sexual and gender-based violence as a tactic of terrorism and allows for sanctions listings in the regime pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning ISIL/ Da’esh and Al-Qaida. The international community must strengthen solidarity, intensify cooperation and jointly tackle this increasingly complex and grim transnational threat. On that note, we wish to make the following points. First, addressing the root causes of terrorism as part of a long-term and comprehensive approach is key to preventing further entrenchment and spread. A security-centred approach alone is insufficient to counter the threat. The necessity of comprehensive, multi-tiered, non-kinetic and multi-stakeholder responses that focus on eradicating poverty and improving education, employment, the economy and sustainable development cannot be overstated. We encourage Member States to incorporate the analysis and recommendations of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate’s assessments in their prevention strategies. Secondly, people must be at the centre of all efforts, especially those most affected by adversity, such as women, youth and minorities. Human dignity must be respected in all circumstances. Sierra Leone is deeply concerned that women and girls are affected by sexual and gender-based violence committed by ISIL/Da’esh. Thirdly, a global response is essential, as many global challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism and climate change, are transnational. That collective responsibility must transcend political interests, and external influence must be leveraged positively and constructively. To that end, the international community should incorporate efforts by the entire United Nations system, global financial institutions, regional and subregional organizations and civil society. Fourthly, the United Nations sanctions regime, including resolution 1267 (1999), continues to serve as an effective tool in the fight against terrorism and in maintaining and restoring international peace and security. We note the efforts of the Financial Action Task Force and call for enhanced United Nations coordination with the Task Force to identify and remedy weaknesses in anti-money-laundering and counter-terror financing frameworks. We also call on Member States to fully and robustly implement sanctions measures to counter and prevent the threat posed by terrorist acts. Finally, to eliminate this global threat effectively, we must take action at the national, regional and international levels. Therefore, strengthening security and regulatory frameworks and accountability mechanisms for coordinated response at those levels is paramount. We acknowledge the efforts of the African Union (AU) in combating terrorism, including but not limited to the Malabo Declaration on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government, the establishment and operationalization of the AU ministerial committee on counter-terrorism and the development of a comprehensive continental strategic plan of action on countering terrorism in Africa. We particularly welcome efforts to enhance regional cooperation and institution-building in the West African and Sahel region, including the high- level African counter-terrorism meeting in Abuja in April 2024, which launched the Abuja process for mobilizing resources with support from UNOCT. In addition, we underscore the need for adequate, sustainable and predictable funding for counter- terrorism efforts, particularly in Africa, and within that context we call for the full and immediate implementation of resolution 2719 (2023) in financing AU-led peace support operations dedicated to combating terrorism or its effects on the continent. In conclusion, Sierra Leone emphasizes the importance of information-sharing and collaboration among Governments, institutions, the private sector and security actors across borders to successfully address the proliferation and destructive activities of terror groups. Collective resources will lead to better outcomes and are critical in rebuilding defences against terrorism. In adopting the Pact for the Future (General Assembly resolution 79/1), the States Members of the United Nations committed themselves to building a world free of terrorism, online and offline. Let us not allow the unique opportunity that the Pact of the Future provides — namely, the opportunity to renew our commitment to multilateralism, strive for a future free from terrorism and to build a more peaceful, prosperous, dignified and secure world for all —pass us by.

I want to thank Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and Executive Director Gherman for their briefings. Our thanks also go to the teams at the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate and the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team for the preparation of the reports under consideration. On the threat of Da’esh, let me make the following three points. We therefore reiterate the need for comprehensive, inclusive and gender- responsive approaches, approaches that address drivers of terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism in accordance with international law, human rights and the rule of law. Those efforts must include a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach and remain abreast of trends in the functioning of terrorist networks. They must be particularly focused on youth and their education, as young people are becoming the main target for radicalization. The role of women and women-led organizations is pivotal in prevention and deradicalization activities and should be recognized. Digital tools that are often used to radicalize and recruit should be used for prevention on one hand and for offering alternatives, such as education, on the other hand. Secondly, we note the recent developments in Syria and the efforts by the interim authorities to stabilize the country and unify the security forces. Since taking power, the authorities have showed significant success in limiting the influence of external actors, although a lot of work remains to be done. We share the concern of Member States that Da’esh could exploit security vacuums to increase its strength in the region. The interim authorities should aim to prevent the resurgence of Da’esh and other terrorist groups and secure stockpiles of weapons, particularly chemical weapons and any advanced weapons. We cannot afford for them to end up in the hands of terrorists. Thirdly, the regime established by resolution 1267 (1999) on the ISIL/Da’esh and Al-Qaida sanctions remains an important tool in support of counter-terrorism efforts and the fight against Da’esh. It is encouraging to see more and more Member States recognizing the benefit of that regime and considering the use thereof. We reiterate that, in order for any sanctions to work, they must be duly implemented. Let me conclude by acknowledging the extensive efforts and projects by different United Nations entities and partners, under the coordination of UNOCT. It is imperative that Member States strengthen cooperation among themselves directly and with the help of regional and international platforms. As terrorism seeks to divide us with fear, we must respond united, with courage.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of China. I thank Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and Executive Director Gherman for their briefings. China commends the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) for having done a great deal of work to promote international cooperation on counter- terrorism. At present, terrorism is on the rise, and the threat that it poses to the international community remains complex and grave. The Security Council should continue to prioritize counter-terrorism on its agenda, insist on zero tolerance for terrorism, oppose double standards and selective counter-terrorism; promote the strengthening of international counter-terrorism cooperation; and, with the support of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015), concerning the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, I would like to make three specific points. First, The Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/72) points out that, by exploiting the recent sudden change in the situation in Syria, terrorist organizations may seek to expand; that stockpiles of weapons may fall into the hands of terrorists; and the international community should keep a close eye on that. The recent granting of senior positions to foreign terrorist fighters in Syria, including the head of the Security Council-listed terrorist organization the Turkestan Islamic Party, also known as the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), is a cause of grave concern for China. We urge the Syrian authorities to fulfil their counter-terrorism obligations and to prevent any terrorists from using Syrian territory to threaten the security of other countries. A large number of foreign terrorist fighters have been remained in Syria for a long time, posing a serious security risk. China supports an accelerated repatriation process and calls on the countries concerned to take back their own nationals. Secondly, terrorist organizations, such as Da’esh, Al-Qaida and ETIM, are currently very active in Afghanistan, and they are colluding with each other. They not only undermine the security situation in Afghanistan, but also pose a threat to regional and international peace and security. China calls on the Afghan interim Government to take visible and verifiable action to disintegrate and eliminate all terrorist organizations entrenched in Afghanistan. China supports the countries in Central Asia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in strengthening cooperation with Afghanistan, jointly addressing the security challenges posed by terrorism, helping Afghanistan integrate into regional economic cooperation and eliminating the breeding ground for terrorism. Thirdly, Africa is becoming the new frontier of international counter-terrorism. A devastating terrorist attack last month in Benin claimed the lives of at least 28 people. Terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso left some 4 million people without medical care. Inadequate counter-terrorism capacity is a challenge for many African countries. The international community should increase its support in terms of funding, equipment, intelligence, human resources and logistical supplies. The United Nations and its partners should strengthen their cooperation with the African Union and other regional organizations and support Africa in strengthening its counter-terrorism capacity-building and institution-building. China has always been a supporter of, and contributor to, international counter- terrorism cooperation and has long been helping developing countries, especially African countries, strengthen their counter-terrorism capacity through bilateral and multilateral channels. China has also been supporting UNOCT and CTED counter- terrorism projects through the United Nations peace and development trust fund. We will continue to work hand in hand with all parties to combat terrorism in all its forms and contribute to the realization of a world that enjoys lasting peace and universal security. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers.