S/PV.9982 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, Office of Counter- Terrorism; Ms. Natalia Gherman, Executive Director, Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate; and Ms. Elisa de Anda Madrazo, President of the Financial Action Task Force. 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/2025/496, which contains the twenty-first report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat. I now give the floor to Mr. Voronkov. Mr. Voronkov: I am honoured to brief the Security Council on the twenty-first report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by Da’esh to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat (S/2025/496). 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 and the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team. I would like to thank Mr. Colin Smith. I also would like to thank Ms. Elisa de Anda Madrazo, President of the Financial Action Task Force, for being present today. As we will commemorate the eighth International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism tomorrow, I take this opportunity to honour the victims and survivors of terrorism around the world. The International Day continues to elevate the voices of victims, raise awareness and inspire global solidarity in countering terrorism. This year’s theme, “United by Hope: Collective Action for Victims of Terrorism”, emphasizes the power of shared experience and collective leadership among victims and victims’ associations to drive meaningful change at all levels. To mark the day, the Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) will organize a high-level virtual event featuring messages from the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism and senior United Nations officials. In addition, a global minute of silence will be observed, and a panel discussion will be led by victims and survivors from diverse backgrounds. UNOCT will continue to work closely with Member States and United Nations entities in further amplifying the voices of victims and in advocating for, promoting and protecting their rights and fundamental freedoms. The threat posed by Da’esh remains volatile and complex, with the group and its affiliates continuing to adapt and demonstrate resilience despite sustained counter- terrorism efforts. While multiple Da’esh leaders have perished in the past few years, the group has managed to retain its operational capacity. There is no indication that the killing of its deputy leader in charge of operational planning, which resulted Africa remains significantly affected, currently experiencing the highest intensity of Da’esh activity globally. The situation in West Africa and the Sahel remains particularly urgent. During the reporting period, a resurgence in the activity of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara was observed, while the Islamic State West Africa Province emerged as a prolific producer of terrorist propaganda and attracted foreign terrorist fighters, primarily from within the region. Arrests in Libya have revealed Da’esh-linked logistics and financing networks with connections to the Sahel. In Somalia, Da’esh mounted a large-scale attack in Puntland in anticipation of a large-scale military counteroffensive. The attack involved numerous foreign terrorist fighters. During the counteroffensive by Somali security forces, 200 Da’esh fighters were killed and more than 150 arrested. Although significantly weakened, the group continues to benefit from regional support networks and remains a threat in the absence of sustained counter-terrorism efforts. In the Middle East, Da’esh stays active in Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic, working to restore its operational capacity in the Badiyah region and renewing efforts to destabilize the local authorities. In the Syrian Arab Republic, the situation has remained fragile since the takeover led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham. Da’esh continues to exploit security gaps, engage in covert operations and incite sectarian tensions in the country. The Secretary-General’s concern about stockpiles of weapons falling into the hands of terrorists has unfortunately materialized. Meanwhile, the security, humanitarian and human rights situation in the camps and other facilities in the north-east of the Syrian Arab Republic remains deeply concerning. In Afghanistan, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan continues to represent one of the most serious threats to Central Asia and beyond. The group has targeted civilians, minority groups and foreign nationals, while exploiting discontent with the de facto authorities. The use of new and emerging technologies by listed terrorist groups remains a growing challenge. These groups continue to use encrypted messaging platforms to secure their communications, leverage crowdfunding systems to raise funds and increasingly experiment with artificial intelligence to boost propaganda. Member States’ reports that Da’esh may be seeking to recruit experts in cybersecurity are gravely concerning. As we are aware, the United Nations is facing challenging times. Yet Member States have remained united against terrorism. Despite differing views on the nature of terrorism and measures to counter it, they have consistently condemned, in the strongest terms, terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Allow me to offer some suggestions that the Council could consider in advancing counter-terrorism efforts while upholding Member States’ common rejection of terrorism. First, we must focus on prevention. Time and again, the Secretary-General has stated that prevention remains our best response to terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism. It is more effective and cost efficient to prevent terrorism than to remedy its impact, and recent years have shown that focusing solely on the leadership of groups such as Da’esh is not sufficient. Prioritizing long-term principled responses that tackle the drivers of terrorism and the conditions conducive to its spread remains the most effective response to the threat. Secondly, compliance with international law remains essential. Terrorism and at times counter-terrorism measures can have dire consequences. A case in point is the grave humanitarian and security situation in camps and detention facilities in the north-east of the Syrian Arab Republic. Tens of thousands of individuals, primarily women and children, remain in prolonged detention under unsafe and undignified conditions. These environments present serious risks of radicalization to terrorism and are contrary to international law obligations. I reiterate the Secretary-General’s Thirdly, we must engage relevant stakeholders. In the Pact for the Future (General Assembly resolution 79/1), world leaders committed to pursuing a future free from terrorism. If that commitment is to become a reality, such a future cannot materialize without the meaningful participation of all relevant stakeholders. In June, UNOCT held a retreat of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact to enhance structured engagement between the United Nations and regional organizations. The event resulted in action-oriented decisions that will inform the engagement of Compact entities with regional organizations, in line with Action 23 of the Pact. UNOCT will also continue to promote whole-of-Government and whole-of-society approaches to countering terrorism. The persistence of the threat posed by Da’esh despite significant national and international efforts underscores the urgency of sustained global cooperation through counter-terrorism approaches that are compliant with international law, grounded in human rights and gender responsive. The Office of Counter-Terrorism will continue to prioritize capacity-building, information-sharing and the delivery of tailored assistance to support Member States in their efforts to counter terrorism.

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 regarding the twenty-first report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by Da’esh and the United Nations efforts to support Member States in addressing the threat (S/2025/496). I wish to thank the Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), headed by Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov; the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, led by Mr. Colin Smith; and all our United Nations partners for their contributions to the report and their close collaboration with the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). I also wish to warmly welcome the presence of the President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Ms. Elisa de Anda Madrazo, and to thank her for her strong partnership, in particular in the context of the recently published FATF comprehensive update on terrorist financing risks, with France and CTED as co-leads. The report attests to a coordinated approach between CTED, the relevant United Nations entities and FATF in analysing evolving terrorist financing risks and trends and aims to support Member States and all other stakeholders in understanding and addressing them. Despite sustained international efforts, Da’esh remains a persistent threat to international peace and security. Its ability to adapt and exploit instability continues to pose significant challenges, particularly in parts of Africa. The continent bears more than half of the world’s fatalities from terrorist attacks. In the Syrian Arab Republic, Da’esh seeks to leverage the volatile security landscape. The humanitarian and human rights situation in north-eastern camps remains dire, where tens of thousands of individuals — the vast majority of whom are women and children — face extreme insecurity. Da’esh-Khorasan remains a significant threat in Afghanistan, and also in Europe and in Central Asia, where it actively seeks to recruit and fundraise, relying on propaganda tactics and online campaigns. Da’esh utilizes regional and domestic affiliates and receives substantial global donations, using regional hubs and cross-border financial networks. Their financing methods mix digital innovations with traditional channels, making it harder to detect and suppress financial flows that support terrorism. In response, the United Nations has continued its efforts to support Member States in addressing the threat posed by Da’esh. On behalf of the Security Council In Europe, the visits demonstrated the persistent need for vigilance as the terrorist threat keeps developing, with the sophisticated means to which terrorists are resorting. In Africa, the assessments focused on the evolving Da’esh threat, as well as Member States’ capacities to respond. As of early 2025, Da’esh in Somalia has been playing an increasingly prominent role as a logistical hub for Da’esh globally, though in recent months, Somalia, and its international partners, have successfully degraded some capacities of Da’esh within Somalia. Funded by the United Nations peace and development trust fund and in line with resolution 2713 (2023), CTED, together with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UNOCT, is providing support to Somalia and the region in countering Al-Shabaab’s use of technology to raise funds and recruit new members. In the Lake Chad basin region, Da’esh is increasingly receiving foreign material and human support to conduct its operations, including money, drones and expertise on improvised explosive devices. In the visits to Chad and Cameroon, we focused also on the return of former Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province associates and their families, and the support needed to ensure accountability and sustainable rehabilitation and reintegration into the communities. In Cameroon, the delegation travelled to the Far North region, the area most affected by terrorism, which is increasingly exacerbated by organized crime. In Chad, we discussed with the authorities their military engagement at the national and subregional levels through the Lake Chad Basin Multinational Joint Task Force, as well as advancing criminal justice frameworks and countering violent extremism leading to terrorism. Engagement with affected States in Africa and beyond has also been deepened through the European Union-United Nations Global Terrorism Threats Facility, which supported legislative reform, capacity-building and cross-regional dialogues on prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration. Based on needs identified by CTED on behalf of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the Facility, which is implemented by UNOCT, provided support to Iraq, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Maldives, Nigeria, Somalia, Tajikistan and Uganda, at their request. In response to the terrorism situation in West Africa, United Nations agencies have focused on regional capacity development in countering the financing of terrorism. During the assessment visit to Côte d’Ivoire, in November 2024, CTED commended the establishment of the Operational Coordination Committee, bringing together the financial intelligence unit, investigative services and judicial authorities. As a result, Côte d’Ivoire delivered its first terrorism financing convictions, having benefited also from capacity-building support from UNODC. Da’esh’s use of artificial intelligence and social media for recruitment, fundraising and propaganda demands innovative responses. Although artificial intelligence is being harnessed to amplify the group’s reach and impact, it also holds significant potential for States to enhance the detection, prevention and disruption of terrorist activities. To counter the threat posed by new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes, CTED supports Member States in the implementation of the non-binding guiding principles on terrorists’ use of unmanned aircraft systems and emerging financial technologies. As we stand at the crossroads of technological transformation and geopolitical uncertainty, the threat of terrorism is more diffuse and complex.

I thank Ms. Gherman for her briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. De Anda Madrazo. Ms. De Anda Madrazo: I thank you, Mr. President, for the invitation. I am honoured to address the Security Council on behalf of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to share our efforts to combat terrorist financing, which includes the financing of Da’esh and its affiliates. I would like to thank Assistant Secretary- General and Executive Director, Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), Ms. Natalia Gherman, and Under-Secretary-General, Office of Counter- Terrorism, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, for their insightful briefings, but mostly for the collaboration that we have on a regular basis. The FATF was originally created in 1989 to tackle money laundering. It was mobilized within just one month of the attacks of 11 September 2001, to also include in its mandate combating terrorist financing. Since then, the FATF has been developing an understanding of the risks and, through a consensus-based rule, we set standards centred around effectiveness. We incentivize the members of the global network to bolster their defences through rigorous peer reviews. The FATF also partners with the private sector and non-profit organizations to ensure both an effective and a proportional implementation of the measures. The FATF and the FATF regional style bodies galvanize more than 200 jurisdictions in strengthening their defences to shield against terrorists. The importance of the FATF’s role in countering terrorist financing has been acknowledged in a number of Security Council resolutions and complements the work of the United Nations. Since 2001, the terrorist financing threat has changed dramatically but the importance of addressing this threat is still relevant. By turning off the money tap, we can cut off the blood supply of terrorism. The FATF regularly tracks terrorist financing risks, including through regular analysis of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Al-Qaeda financing. In June of this year, we completed a comprehensive update of terrorist financing risks. This endeavour would have not been possible without the professional collaboration of United Nations officials who, through CTED, collaborated as co-leads of this project, together with France. This was made possible not only through their leadership but also through the insights that we received from more than 80 jurisdictions that included 800 inputs from the private sector and representatives of academia. This report examines different types of financing groups and individuals, and of course, includes detailed information on the financing of Da’esh and its affiliates. What we see is that over the past decades, terrorists have demonstrated a persistent ability to exploit the international financial system. The methods that they employ vary widely, but we see a trend that underscores both their adaptability and their determination. Context really matters. Depending on the contextual circumstances, we see that different types of terrorist organizations and individuals have different financial needs and consequently adapt their financial management strategies. Despite improvements in transparency and risk management practices of the private sector, we see that terrorists continue to use the formal financial system, including deposit accounts, wire transfers and prepaid cards. The major evolution is due to the digital transformation. Digital platforms — such as social media, messaging applications, and crowdfunding sites — are increasingly being abused for terrorism financing, particularly when they offer integrated payment services that bypass due diligence. In parallel, the threat posed by lone individuals radicalized by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant ideology — often younger in age — is rising, with such actors relying on microfinancing strategies drawn from both licit funds and petty criminal activity, as well as technology-enabled methods, including online gambling, which we call “gaming”, and social media features. While traditional financing channels and schemes continue to be used, there is a marked increase in the interlinkage of diverse methods that use digital technologies. This adds to the complexity of the shields we have to put in place to combat terrorist financing. We also see growing decentralization, with regional financial hubs and self- financed cells playing a larger role, adapting to local contexts and employing a broader range of funding sources, including from criminal activity, such as ISIL’s branches in Africa, to investments in business activities. These financing models are more resilient and less vulnerable to traditional disruption efforts. This is, of course, a complex environment, and it highlights the importance of complementing the work of the FATF and United Nations mandates in combating terrorist financing. The FATF has outlined a number of recommendations to address the existing and emerging terrorist financing risks. These recommendations build upon requirements in Security Council resolutions and the guidance of the Counter- Terrorism Committee, including the Algeria Guiding Principles. First, this includes making multilateral designation of terrorist organizations under Security Council resolutions a key priority, alongside regional and national mechanisms established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001). Secondly, with regard to strengthening the implementation of the global standards for combating the financing of terrorism, the FATF is actively working to support countries in order to increase both their investigative and prosecuting abilities because we have identified that less than a third of countries are adequately investigating and prosecuting terrorist financing. There is also an opportunity to close loopholes, particularly in areas such as virtual assets and transparency of legal persons. This is fundamental to efforts to choke the flow of funds for terrorism. Thirdly, we must expand outreach to a broader range of stakeholders, which must include non-traditional partners, such as social media and messaging platforms. It is critical to have a conversation with them and have them at the table to better understand and address these emerging risks. The private sector is often the first line of defence, and developing targeted public-private partnerships is critical. Lastly, and one of the priorities of the Mexican presidency of the FATF is that both Governments and the private sector implement an adequate risk-based approach and a proportionate implementation of the standards. A risk-based approach means, succinctly, defining the risk and applying the proportionate measures according to that risk. A general requirement for everything may not be the best approach to combat terrorist financing. The FATF has reiterated the importance of ensuring that the measures to combat terrorist financing do not impede activities conducted in accordance with international law, including the provision of humanitarian aid. I want to conclude by thanking our valued colleagues in United Nations bodies for their strong partnership. I acknowledge the hard work of the members of the FATF and the Global Network, which, as I mentioned, has over 200 jurisdictions. I also want to reiterate the Financial Action Task Force’s continued commitment to work with the Security Council, all Member States and all relevant United Nations bodies to address global risks of terrorist financing. We must stand together in this fight because terrorists need to succeed only once to achieve their goal, while we have to succeed every time to prevent it. I look forward to hearing the views of Council members today on how we, working together, collectively and resolutely, can sharpen our impact in combating terrorist financing. The FATF stands ready to achieve this goal.

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

I thank Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov, Executive Director Natalia Gherman, and President Elisa de Anda Madrazo for their briefings. The United States is deeply concerned about the continued operations and territorial expansions of Da’esh  — or the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) — and Al-Qaida. We have intensified our counter-terrorism operations globally under President Trump, targeting ISIL and Al-Qaida leadership, infrastructure and financial networks. Notable successes have included the elimination of high-ranking ISIL attack planners in Somalia, Iraq and Syria, and the transfer into United States custody of the man allegedly responsible for the Abbey Gate terrorist bombing in Afghanistan. These actions demonstrate our unwavering commitment to dismantling terrorist organizations and protecting international security. The United States continues to prioritize partnerships with allies and regional actors to combat terrorism. Through intelligence sharing and joint operations, we are working to strengthen global security and prevent the spread of terrorist ideologies. As the Secretary-General’s report outlines, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan (ISIL-K) remains a key threat to international security. ISIL-K’s recruitment of minors, determination to conduct global terror attacks and its reign of bombings throughout South Asia and Europe is abhorrent and unacceptable. In Syria, we note that both Al-Qaida and ISIL are actively fomenting instability by stockpiling weapons, recruiting fighters, conducting deadly attacks, and planning external operations. We urge all Member States to work with the Syrian Government to counter ISIL and Al-Qaida and to support reforms of United Nations sanctions affecting Syria that will enable stability in the country. We especially call for the repatriation of ISIL-affiliated third-country nationals who are displaced and being detained in north-east Syria. In Africa, the United States is disturbed by the territorial expansion of Al-Qaida affiliates, particularly the attempts of Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin to establish governance structures and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara’s consolidation in the Niger and Nigeria. The United States commends those Member States that have sustained the counter-terrorism pressure in Iraq, Syria and Somalia that has constrained ISIL Holding perpetrators accountable for terrorist attacks and activities is essential to combating terrorism and preventing future attacks. We therefore call on the members of the Security Council to act decisively by designating additional ISIL and Al-Qaida affiliates under 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, ensuring their members face a global asset freeze, travel ban and arms embargo. In this regard, the mandate of the Financial Action Task Force, the global standard-setting body for countering money-laundering, countering the financing of terrorism and countering proliferation financing, is distinct but mutually reinforcing to the work of the United Nations and its Member States. The recently published “Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks”, the first of its kind in 10 years, is just one example of the critical role the Task Force plays in informing the international community on the terror financing risks we all face. The United States commends the Financial Action Task Force for setting the global standard to combat these threat streams and for its great effectiveness in bringing countries and jurisdictions together to combat illicit financing. The United States also believes that duplicative efforts pursued by other international bodies are unnecessary and less effective. Lastly, as the Secretary-General outlines, we emphasize that all Member States must cooperate to address the evolving adaptability of terrorist groups, particularly their use of drones, cryptocurrencies and decentralized networks to evade detection and sustain their operations.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Voronkov, Executive Director Gherman and Financial Action Task Force President De Anda Madrazo 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/2025/496) once again shows that Da’esh persists and is adapting across the world, despite concerted counter-terrorism efforts. With sub-Saharan Africa becoming the new epicentre, Da’esh affiliates in the Sahel are intensifying cross-border attacks and threatening coastal States. Da’esh is expanding its financial and operational hubs in East Africa, while exploiting instability and radicalizing detainees in camps in north-eastern Syria. Meanwhile, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan in Afghanistan poses a significant regional and international threat, exploiting sectarian divides while plotting attacks in Europe. Together, these global threats underscore the urgency of our coordinated actions to address the multifaceted challenges posed by terrorism. I would like to emphasize three points in this regard. First, foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) should be rehabilitated and reintegrated through careful coordination among relevant States. FTFs continue to pose a grave threat to international peace and security, with a disturbing rise in activity across various regions, from Central Asia and Afghanistan to Eastern Africa. In Syria, the dire conditions in detention facilities in the north-east, where overcrowded camps are reportedly being used by Da’esh to replenish its ranks, further exacerbate this challenge. Delaying repatriation or reintegration, however complacent, can no longer serve as a stopgap measure, as it will only spur further radicalization within the camps. A comprehensive programme for FTFs is therefore needed more than ever. We call on all relevant States to actively engage with one another to find a Secondly, promoting respect for human rights in counter-terrorism must be prioritized. As the Secretary-General noted in his report, the dire conditions in Syrian detainee camps risk turning them into vectors of radicalization. This illustrates how humane conditions and legal safeguards can reduce the drivers of extremism. To uphold these principles in practice, every State should develop an oversight mechanism within its national counter-terrorism framework tailored to its specific needs. Yet, these efforts can be more challenging for some Member States, given their limited resources and expertise. As a small effort to address this capacity gap, the Republic of Korea has been implementing a collaboration project with the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate this year. The project aims to ensure national security agencies in South Asia and South-East Asia strengthen their oversight and accountability measures. It will deliver targeted capacity-building and technical training to States to improve review mechanisms and investigations into alleged misconduct. We hope the project will serve as a robust foundation for promoting human rights in regional counter-terrorism operations and invite regional States to join in this endeavour. Thirdly, the new United Nations counter-terrorism architecture should be reformed to ensure efficient coordination among all relevant entities. As we look ahead towards the future of the United Nations, the UN80 Initiative presents us with a timely opportunity to strengthen coherence with the counter-terrorism architecture. In this regard, we commend the Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) for advancing the reform agenda and recognize this as an expression of its strategic leadership role, consistent with its founding mandate. We call on UNOCT to present proposals that enhance coordination among the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities. As a recent consultation between UNOCT and Member States well depicted, the focus of the reform should remain in delineating respective roles and improving coordination among the entities rather than consolidating them. In this context, we reiterate our firm position that the new counter-terrorism architecture should not condone any further duplications regarding capacity-building mandates, which is also well reflected in the recent Office of Internal Oversight Services report. We look forward to UNOCT continuing to demonstrate its strategic leadership in this regard.

At the outset, let me express our appreciation to Under- Secretary-General Voronkov, Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) Executive Director Gherman and Financial Action Task Force President Ms. Elisa de Anda Madrazo for their comprehensive briefings and continued commitment to this critical agenda. Allow me to highlight the following points. First, we remain concerned owing to the persistent and dynamic threat that Da’esh poses to international peace and security, despite its territorial losses and leadership setbacks. As noted in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/496), the organization continues to exploit fragility, particularly in conflict-affected or institutionally weak areas across the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia. The situation in Syria is of particular concern. The collapse of the previous regime has been rightfully welcomed, yet there is a security vacuum which a range of actors, including terrorist groups, continue to take advantage of. Greece reiterates its support for resolution 2254 (2015) and underscores the urgent need for a credible political road map to address instability and prevent Da’esh from returning. Thirdly, we welcome the tangible progress achieved in repatriating and reintegrating individuals, particularly children, from detention facilities and camps in north-east Syria. However, the humanitarian conditions in these facilities remain alarming. We commend the United Nations cross-pillar assistance to Member States, particularly in Iraq, Kazakhstan and Nigeria, and we encourage the expansion of legal, psychosocial and reintegration support mechanisms. As underlined in the Secretary- General’s report, a purely security-based approach is insufficient — rehabilitation and accountability must go hand in hand, especially for children formerly associated with armed groups, who are entitled to protection and reintegration in line with international norms. Fourthly, Greece strongly supports the continued development of the United Nations counter-terrorism architecture. We welcome the work of the Global Counter- Terrorism Coordination Compact and take note of the integrated victim-centred approaches promoted by United Nations entities. We particularly commend initiatives aimed at protecting children and preventing their recruitment by terrorist groups, in line with resolution 2427 (2018), and the Office of Counter-Terrorism’s support for women-led reintegration efforts — an important contribution to the women and peace and security agenda. Fifthly, we are alarmed by Da’esh’s use of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence tools to spread propaganda and radicalization. We urge all Member States to enhance digital resilience while safeguarding fundamental freedoms. Combating online incitement must remain a priority for international cooperation, especially as terrorist narratives evolve rapidly. Finally, Greece firmly condemns the illicit trafficking of cultural property and antiquities by terrorist groups such as Da’esh, which not only destroys the heritage of humankind but also serves as a source of financing for violent extremism. We stress the importance of implementing Security Council resolutions 2199 (2015) and 2347 (2017) and — the most recent — General Assembly resolution 79/133 of 2024, which Greece co-sponsored, reaffirming the need for stronger international action and accountability across the cultural property trade chain. Greece remains fully committed to the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and reiterates its unwavering support for the work of the Office of Counter-Terrorism, CTED and the Monitoring Team. A coordinated, rights-based and preventive approach remains the only path forward — one that strengthens the rule of law, protects the most vulnerable and promotes sustainable peace.

Let me begin by thanking Under-Secretary- General Voronkov and Executive Director Gherman for their thorough briefings. We listened attentively to Ms. De Anda Madrazo’s remarks. We also take note of the Secretary-General’s twenty-first report on the threat of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) (S/2025/496), which provides a crucial basis for our conversation today. In the light of this, allow me to highlight the following points. First, the terrorism threat is neither static nor confined. It is evolving, with a troubling shift towards the African continent. Groups such as ISIS and their affiliates have shown an alarming capacity for adaptation, redirecting their strategies and resources to exploit instability and weak governance. This flexibility demands a response that is equally agile and united, particularly in support of African nations, now bearing the brunt of these threats. As we heard from the briefers, the role of technology further complicates the challenge, as terrorist groups increasingly leverage digital platforms to recruit, organize and finance operations. Yet these same technological advances can empower us to bolster prevention, enhance coordination and improve intelligence-sharing. Secondly, the path to success lies in both deeper international cooperation and genuine national ownership. Somalia’s experience stands as a testament to this approach. Our battle with violent extremism has shown that military solutions alone are insufficient. A truly effective response must integrate political, economic and ideological fronts. In recent weeks, the collaboration between our security forces and our international partners, including the United States, has demonstrated the strength of collective action, resulting in the neutralization of many ISIS fighters, including foreign nationals from mostly neighbouring countries. This underscores the importance of technical assistance, regional cooperation, intelligence-sharing and enduring partnerships. On the wider continent of Africa, it is vital to secure sufficient, reliable and predictable funding for African Union-led peace operations and to fully implement resolution 2719 (2023). It is important to strengthen the United Nations collaboration with regional organizations, such as the African Union, and leverage their distinctive expertise and deep-rooted experience. The African Union’s own counter-terrorism initiatives, including AFRIPOL and the Nouakchott and Djibouti processes, are critical to this effort. Such cooperation not only amplifies regional strengths but also reinforces our shared responsibility to uphold peace, stability and sustainable development across the African continent and beyond. Thirdly, prevention must form the cornerstone of our strategy. We must look beyond security measures to address the root conditions of poverty, lack of education, unemployment and social exclusion, which create fertile ground for violent extremism to take root. The role of youth is particularly significant. Young people are vulnerable to recruitment, yet also uniquely positioned to catalyse positive change within their communities. It is essential to invest in education, expanding economic opportunities and encouraging civic participation among the youth in order to build resilience and diminish the pull factors of extremist ideologies. Sustainable development, coupled with targeted support for the most affected countries, remains our strongest shield against radicalization. Lastly, the protection of civilians, especially those most vulnerable, must remain central to any counter-terrorism measures and firmly grounded in international humanitarian law. Our strategies must place civilian safety at the heart of our actions, ensuring that counter-terrorism measures do not inadvertently inflict new hardships or foster grievances that can be manipulated by terrorist groups. Only by safeguarding those most at risk can we nurture the trust and resilience necessary for lasting peace. In conclusion, the fight against terrorism is a universal challenge — one that requires our ongoing dedication, strengthened cooperation and steadfast resolve. The true measure of our success lies in our unwavering commitment to security measures that are firmly anchored in the rule of law and the guiding tenets of the

I thank Under-Secretary-General Voronkov, Executive Director Gherman and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) President De Anda Madrazo for their briefings. As we heard, Da’esh and its affiliates continue to pose a serious and evolving threat to international peace and security. I will make three points. First, Da’esh continues to spread terror across multiple regions. Collective pressure is required to prevent them from regrouping to the levels we have seen previously. In South Asia, counter-terrorism efforts against Islamic State-Khorosan Province, led by Pakistan, have been instrumental in diminishing the group’s capabilities. In Iraq, the United Kingdom contributes to the Combined Joint Task Force’s operation Inherent Resolve, which, in partnership with Iraq’s armed forces, has effectively suppressed Da’esh and enhanced regional security. In Syria, there is renewed hope for lasting peace and security, but the threat from Da’esh remains. We must ensure that Da’esh cannot exploit the current political transition to regain a foothold in that country. Across Africa, Da’esh attacks have increased, and it has used its appalling violence as a source of propaganda. We support African-led initiatives to combat this threat. Secondly, Da’esh continues to adapt, leveraging propaganda to radicalize and recruit its supporters. It aims to expand its influence by manipulating narratives and exploiting societal divisions. To counter this, we should invest in comprehensive strategies, addressing both upstream drivers of radicalization and downstream manifestations of violence. The United Kingdom’s counter-Da’esh communications cell has a strong track record in contesting Da’esh’s narrative and degrading its ideological appeal. Thirdly, the United Kingdom welcomes the focus FATF has given to countering terrorist financing under the leadership of President de Anda Madrazo. FATF and its global network have helped Member States to achieve meaningful and sustained reforms through their robust monitoring and accountability process. Their work assists our collective understanding and response to current and emerging terrorist finance risks. Finally, the enduring threat posed by Da’esh demands unified and sustained international pressure. The United Kingdom remains committed to working with all partners to combat Da’esh and its twisted ideology and to guard against the threat it poses to international peace and security.

I wish to thank Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and Executive Director Gherman for the report (S/2025/496) and the teams and entities that contributed to its preparation. I also thank Ms. De Anda Madrazo for her remarks. This is the final briefing on this topic during Slovenia’s Security Council tenure, throughout which the threat of Da’esh and its affiliates has remained consistent. It has been re-emerging in some parts of the world, such as the Middle East, and intensifying in Africa, especially West Africa and the Sahel. In this regard, let me highlight the following points. First, according to the report, even the removal of a key figure of Da’esh’s leadership has set back the group’s global network for only about six months. This demonstrates its resilience and adaptability. It underscores the need to complement kinetic responses with comprehensive, inclusive and gender-responsive strategies Secondly, during the most recent reporting period, the most significant developments for the group occurred in Syria, where the situation remains fragile. Da’esh has been working towards rebuilding its networks and operational capacity, while also aiming to undermine the stabilization efforts of the interim authorities. Particularly concerning are the group’s efforts to replenish its ranks, including by calling on foreign terrorist fighters to travel to Syria. We welcome the transitional authority’s stated commitment to combating terrorism and extremism. It is imperative that they keep up their efforts and that no space is left for the resurgence of Da’esh or any other terrorist groups within the territory of Syria. We are especially alarmed by the security, human rights and humanitarian conditions in the camps in the north-east of the country, in which a majority of the population are minors. They are particularly vulnerable to radicalization, and many are being recruited to join Da’esh. Now more than ever, it is essential to retain and strengthen the security and administration of the camps, including the provision of basic services. All States should work towards the safe and dignified repatriation of their nationals, while ensuring accountability for crimes committed, in line with international norms and standards. Thirdly, we thank the Office of Counter-Terrorism (OCT) for providing an overview of the technical assistance and capacity-building efforts in support of Member States. Since the Secretary-General’s report on the threat of Da’esh is a strategic-level document, we believe it would be relevant to include the results of these efforts in line with the results framework mandated by the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. This could also enable an assessment of their impact on the threat posed by Da’esh. To conclude, the international community has set up several tools to fight terrorism, from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/Al-Qaida sanctions regime established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) to capacity-building support under coordination of the OCT. They are most effective when utilized fully, both in the regional and global cooperation frameworks. However, the fight starts on the ground, by giving people, communities and society the means and opportunities for building resilience.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Voronkov, Executive Director Gherman and Financial Action Task Force President De Anda Madrazo for their comprehensive briefings. Terrorism continues to be a grave threat to international peace and security, undermining the rule of law, destabilizing States and causing immense human suffering. Guyana unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and underscores the importance of adopting a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to counter-terrorism  — an approach that is focused on prevention, protection and accountability. We are deeply concerned by the indication in the Secretary General’s twenty- first report (S/2025/496) that, despite sustained counter-terrorism pressure, the threat posed by Da’esh and its affiliates to international peace and security remains undiminished and is characterized by the adaptability and resilience of the group. We are concerned about the report of growing youth leadership in Da’esh and the continued experimentation with different communication platforms to glorify violence and promote an idealized life under the group’s rule. That is compounded by the use of artificial intelligence to enhance propaganda efforts and the algorithmic influence of certain social media platforms to radicalize and recruit young people to terrorism. To combat this trend, there must be greater investment in the education and empowerment of young people. Increased youth representation in decision-making processes for anti-terrorism laws and policies will also have a positive impact. The close link between underdevelopment and terrorism cannot be over emphasized. In sum, there can be no peace without sustainable development and no sustainable development without peace. While we recognize the progress of counter-terrorism efforts in constraining activities of Da’esh in the Middle East and the attrition of its leadership, we are concerned about the group’s shift to parts of Africa and the high intensity of terrorist activities recorded there. On that note, we call for stricter management of stockpiles of weapons and ammunitions in order to keep them out of the hands of terrorist groups. We are also concerned about the evolving tactics of terrorist groups, including their increasing use of new and emerging technologies for propaganda, recruitment, financing and planning and executing attacks. The phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters and the nexus between terrorism and organized crime also pose significant challenges that demand our urgent attention and concerted action. Guyana underscores the imperative of upholding international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, in all counter-terrorism measures. We emphasize the critical importance of ensuring accountability for terrorist attacks and activities as part of efforts to deter such acts in future. International cooperation remains the cornerstone of effective counter- terrorism efforts. No single nation can combat this transnational threat alone. We must strengthen our collective resolve and enhance collaboration in areas such as intelligence sharing, law enforcement cooperation, border management and capacity- building, particularly for developing countries. The Security Council has a vital role in global efforts to eradicate terrorism. Let us maximize the use of the tools available to us, particularly sanctions. Requests for exemptions should be closely scrutinized. We commend the tireless efforts of the United Nations in delivering critical and wide-ranging support to Member States in their efforts to fight terrorism, including in countering the movement of terrorists across borders, enhancing efforts to counter the financing of terrorism, strengthening responses to the use of digital and emerging technologies by terrorists and supporting victim assistance programmes. In conclusion, Guyana remains steadfast in its commitment to contributing to global efforts to counter terrorism. We will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to implement the relevant Security Council resolutions and the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy towards realizing a more peaceful and secure world for all. Terrorism is a common enemy of humankind. In a context of growing volatility and recurrent hotspot issues in the international landscape, threats posed by terrorism are re-emerging across the world. High-profile terrorist attacks are rising in both number and frequency, resulting in increasing casualties and repercussions. The international community needs to strengthen unity and cooperation and steer clear of ideological biases and geopolitical calculations in order to build a strong united front against terrorism and jointly counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In that context, I will address three specific counter-terrorism settings today. First, let me say a few words about Syria. Over the past six months, terrorist groups like the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) have exploited the instability in Syria to expand their reach, recruit fighters to their ranks, loot weapons and launch frequent attacks. Foreign terrorist fighters stationed in Syria are moving across borders and posing a serious threat to regional security. As indicated in the report (S/2025/482) of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the Committee established 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 monitoring team, ETIM/Turkistan Islamic Party alone has several thousand militants within Syria. The international community must urge the Syrian interim authorities to effectively fulfil their counter-terrorism obligations and resolutely counter all terrorist organizations designated by the Council, including Da’esh and ETIM/Turkistan Islamic Party. Given the lingering complexities and challenges in Syria on the counter-terrorism front, what implications and effects will follow from adjusting the Council sanctions regime related to Syria now? Do the Syrian interim authorities have the capacity and means to follow up on said adjustments? Will the adjustments create loopholes for the terrorist organizations in Syria? It is important for us to make judicious decisions based on the careful study of these questions. Secondly, I will say a few words about Afghanistan. As indicated in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/496), terrorist groups such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan, Al-Qaida, ETIM/Turkistan Islamic Party, and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)and its Majeed Brigade are collaborating with one another and remain active in Afghanistan and South Asia, orchestrating a series of heinous terrorist attacks. We call on the Afghan interim Government to step up counter-terrorism efforts and root out all terrorist forces within its borders. We call on countries of the region to enhance political trust and make full use of platforms, like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, to strengthen practical counter-terrorism cooperation. We note that the United States Government has recently designated BLA and its Majeed Brigade as terrorist organizations. We hope that the Council can follow suit and include this organization in the 1267 sanctions list as soon as possible. Thirdly, I want to talk about Africa. The Secretary-General’s report indicates that ISIL continues to pivot towards Africa, taking over cities, making territorial gains, attacking civilians, resulting in massive losses and heavy strains in many affected countries. The international community should — on the basis of respecting State sovereignty — provide greater financial, technical, intelligence and logistical support to African countries, and help the African Union and other regional organizations enhance their counter-terrorism capacity. The Council should endeavour to facilitate the settlement of hotspot issues and engage in enhanced dialogue and cooperation with the countries concerned and regional organizations to promptly defuse conflicts The Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, the 1267 Committee Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, and the Financial Action Task Force have made active efforts to track developments in global counter-terrorism and to promote global counter- terrorism cooperation. China commends their efforts. We encourage relevant United Nations counter-terrorism bodies to further strengthen coordination and coherence in implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The Council should continue to prioritize counter-terrorism on its agenda and effectively leverage mechanisms such as the 1267, 1988, and 2713 sanctions regimes in support of counter- terrorism operations by individual States and counter-terrorism efforts globally. China resolutely opposes terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Over the years, under the Global Security Initiative, China has been helping other developing countries, especially those in Africa, to build their counter-terrorism capacity through bilateral and multilateral channels. Through the United Nations peace and development trust fund, we have supported countries in the Sahel with counter- terrorism operations, financed the UNOCT Programme Office in Kenya and helped enhance the counter-terrorism capacity of African countries with uncrewed aerial vehicle technologies. We stand ready to work with all partners to advance the global counter-terrorism agenda and actively contribute to a world with lasting peace and universal security.

We thank Mr. Vladimir Ivanovich Voronkov and Ms. Natalia Mirchevna Gherman for their substantive briefings on the activities of the departments they head. We highly commend the work of the Office of Counter-Terrorism and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate. Russia stands ready to continue providing them with full support so that their relevant mandates can be implemented effectively and in the interests of all Member States. Today’s meeting is an excellent opportunity to comprehensively assess the situation regarding counter-terrorism, identify problem areas and determine specific steps to address them. We have carefully studied the latest report of the Secretary-General on threats posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) (S/2025/496). We agree with the assessment contained therein that the threats posed by that international terrorist organization are not decreasing. The group is adapting to new circumstances, including by changing the geographical area of its activities. It is increasingly active in Africa. The report notes that ISIL is harnessing a combination of factors to strengthen and expand its presence there, namely, political instability, weak governance and armed conflict. However, for us it is clear that this is not the full picture. Once again, the report fails to mention a key element, namely, the role of Western countries’ interference in the domestic affairs of the States in the region. The events of recent decades clearly show who has paved the way for terrorists coming to Africa. The destruction of State institutions in Libya and Iraq, as a result of interventions by NATO member States, has created a long-term power and security vacuum, which militants have taken advantage of. Today, in the pursuit of their geopolitical interests, the former colonial Powers continue to support illegal armed groups on the African continent and exploit local tensions and socioeconomic problems. The stubborn ignoring of those factors in the Secretariat’s analytical materials not only distorts the real picture but also hampers the development of effective measures. If the real causes of instability are not fully laid out, the solutions put forth will not be sufficiently effective. France has particularly set itself apart with those dubious approaches. Representatives of the countries of the region regularly share intelligence information proving that Paris, unfortunately, is supporting terrorist groups in a futile attempt to retain its elusive control over the former colonies. In this regard, we would like to emphasize once again that international assistance in the field of counter-terrorism should be provided strictly at the request of States. At the same time, specific steps taken as part of such assistance must respect the sovereignty of the requesting State and should not entail any interference in its internal affairs. We support the decisions of countries in the region to curb the presence of foreign military contingents whose actions did not comply with those principles. This applies to cases in which, under the pretext of combating terrorism, former colonial Powers have de facto maintained and expanded their military presence in violation of the fundamental principles of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. In this context, specific attention should be paid to what the Kyiv regime is doing on the African continent. There are concrete facts that clearly demonstrate that the Ukrainian special services, including the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, have been involved in subversive activities in Sahel countries and other regions of Africa. They are supplying militants with weapons and drones and training them on how to use them. They are coordinating the actions of terrorists, including the Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin in Mali, and deploying trained mercenaries for attacks on local Governments. All of the above requires a thorough international investigation involving the relevant United Nations mechanisms. In line with resolution 2734 (2024), the report of the Secretary-General on threats posed by ISIL should include specific information on the scale of the threats and the sources of financing for terrorists, including, inter alia, the illicit trade in artefacts, oil and other natural resources. Unfortunately, the document under consideration pays minimal attention to those issues. We cannot ignore the serious problem of weapons falling into the hands of terrorists. The report mentions this only tangentially, but the facts speak for themselves: numerous warehouses with Western and Eastern European weapons have been repeatedly discovered in the course of operations to eliminate ISIL cells. Western weapons supplied to the corrupt Kyiv regime continue to flow into various regions of the world, including areas where ISIL and Al-Qaida are active. Furthermore, the section of the report on the support provided to Member States by the United Nations does not contain information on specific results achieved. We cannot consider as such a trite listing of events, seminars, projects and programmes. We would like future documents to be focused on the results achieved on the ground through United Nations support. We were unpleasantly surprised by the inclusion in the report of information about certain political dialogues on the interlinkages between counter-terrorism and peacekeeping. We do not share the view that such dialogues can really lay the foundation for future reviews of the peacebuilding architecture and the next review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We would like The report contains alarming signals that ISIL and its affiliates are actively using modern technologies, including artificial intelligence. This is not an abstract threat. We are talking about the creation and dissemination of disinformation, automating recruitment and the planning and management of terrorist attacks. We are convinced that the United Nations and its Member States must act proactively in this area. Of key importance in this context is cooperation that is free of politicization and double standards. In this regard, I would like to stress that Russia has consistently advocated for an honest, depoliticized and results-based approach in combating terrorism without any hidden agendas. We are open to cooperation with Member States and United Nations structures on the basis of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, above all, the sovereign equality of States and non-interference in internal affairs. International cooperation alone, based on mutual respect and dialogue, will help to achieve a lasting decrease in the terrorist threat and strengthen international security. In conclusion, we cannot fail to mention that the unconstructive and politicized approach of one delegation prevented the Council from agreeing on a standard draft press statement on the terrorist attack in the Iranian city of Zahedan on 26 July. This is becoming an unpleasant tradition: individual members of the Security Council are increasingly refusing to condemn terrorist attacks, and sometimes they are even trying to find excuses to justify them. We call on all our Council colleagues to remember the key principle of our work on counter-terrorism: terrorism is not and can never be justified, regardless of its forms and manifestations.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov for his insightful briefing. I also thank the Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, Ms. Natalia Gherman, and the President of the Financial Action Task Force, Ms. Elisa de Anda Madrazo, for their remarks. We take note of the twenty-first report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant to international peace and security (S/2025/496). Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Few nations have done more for the success of the global counter-terrorism efforts. Fewer still have bled more in this fight. Pakistan has been at the forefront on both counts, with 80,000 casualties and hundreds of billions of dollars in losses to our economy. Pakistan’s sacrifices are unmatched, and so is our resolve to eliminate this menace. I should recall that Al-Qaida was largely decimated owing to Pakistan’s efforts. Today we stand firm against Da’esh and its affiliates  — the Fitna al-Khawarij Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Majeed Brigade — which are actively collaborating in Afghanistan and the region, sharing resources, information and physical space to carry out attacks against Pakistan. The Secretary-General’s report underlines the evolving danger. First, Da’esh and its affiliates continue to pose serious threat to international peace and security. They continue to adapt and retain operational capabilities. Secondly, Da’esh affiliates are increasing their concentration in Africa, particularly in West Africa and the Sahel, and the Council must make efforts to halt the mushrooming of terrorist entities in that region. Fourthly, the situation in Afghanistan remains precarious. With some 2,000 fighters, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan (ISIL-K) poses the most serious threat. Indeed, terrorism within and from Afghanistan is the single most potent threat to that country, the region and the world. Although the Afghan interim Government has been fighting ISIL-K, the threat from various other terrorist groups, such as Fitna al-Khawarij TTP and Baloch militant groups, having sought refuge in ungoverned spaces in Afghanistan, remains unaddressed. For Pakistan, the danger is grave and immediate. The TTP, with nearly 6,000 fighters, is the largest United Nations- designated terrorist group operating from Afghan soil. With safe havens close to our borders, it directly threatens our national security. There is credible evidence of collaboration between the TTP and the BLA and the Majeed Brigade — including the sharing of terrorist training camps — which has targeted our strategic infrastructure, economic projects in Pakistan and, most tragically, our people. The Jaffar Express passenger train hijacking and the taking of hostages by terrorists in March resulted in the loss of 31 innocent Pakistanis. Another terrorist attack on a school bus in Khuzdar in May took 10 lives, eight of them school-going children. These are not just numbers — these are stolen futures. Our principal adversary in the region is active in sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan. It bankrolls and supports terrorist proxies and carries out extraterritorial assassinations, which have, in fact, gone global. Worse still, its blatant aggression against my country on the night of 6 and 7 May, in violation of our sovereignty and international law and under the false pretext of counter-terrorism, deliberately and indiscriminately targeted civilian populations and infrastructure, resulting in the martyrdom of 54 innocent Pakistani nationals, including 15 children  — some of them infants — and 13 women. When State terrorism masquerades as counter-terrorism, international peace is often the first casualty. The Council should not look away. Terrorism today is not just on the battlefield — it is online, it is algorithm-driven, and it is financed through digital shadows. Terrorist groups are experimenting in the digital space to glorify violence and exploit social media platforms for online radicalization and recruitment of youth, particularly vulnerable individuals. Information and communications technologies and artificial intelligence are being misused by terrorist entities for propaganda and to organize and recruit online. We must respond with clarity and conviction through a holistic approach. First, we must address the root causes of terrorism. I thank Under-Secretary- General Voronkov for reminding us again today about the imperative of prevention, the importance of longer-term vision and the crucial need to take measures aimed at addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism. In simple words, the first pillar of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy merits our full attention. Secondly, we must address State terrorism and oppression. The situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the occupied Palestinian territories are the starkest examples, where collective punishments against civilian populations, widespread grave violations of human rights, forced demographic changes, fabricated counter-terrorism narratives and unlawful actions are being deployed by the occupation forces to prolong and sustain the illegal occupations and undermine and deny the legitimate right to self-determination of the populations of these territories. I would stress that occupation cannot be dressed up as counter- terrorism. Fourthly, we must make adequate changes to sanctions regimes to incorporate new and emerging threats and end the dangerous stigmatization of Islam and Muslims. We must accept reality. There has been a surge in the emergence of right- wing, extremist and fascist movements in several countries and regions of the world, leading to terrorist violence. Yet we are seeing a strong inclination to not see acts by non-Muslims as terrorism but often to describe them just as violent crime. It is not understandable and is indeed unacceptable that every name on the Security Council’s terrorism lists is Muslim, while terrorists and violent extremists elsewhere escape scrutiny. There is no non-Muslim on the list. That must change. This situation also contradicts the stated position of the United Nations and the Council that terrorism is a global phenomenon and that it cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. Fifthly, we must address and regulate new tools of terror and strengthen cooperation — from INTERPOL to national law enforcement — to choke off the digital arteries of terrorist networks. Effective counter-terrorism efforts require joint action firmly anchored in consensus-based principles and embedded in the framework of international law. We can better succeed against terrorism through unity and cooperation, without double standards or discrimination, and by preventing its exploitation for politically motivated agendas that attempt to shift public opinion away from the real challenges that we face today. Double standards and political agendas are themselves the oxygen of terrorism. We can defeat terrorism, by fighting it together and fighting it justly.

I also extend appreciation to our esteemed briefers, Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and Assistant Secretary-General Natalia Gherman for their comprehensive and timely briefings, and also Ms. Elisa de Anda Madrazo for her contribution. Sierra Leone welcomes the Secretary-General’s twenty-first report (S/2025/496), which starkly underlines that “the threat posed by Da’esh and its affiliates to international peace and security remained high” during the reporting period. Despite sustained counter-terrorism measures, Da’esh continues to demonstrate, regrettably, notable resilience and adaptability, shifting tactics, exploiting instability and expanding geographically, particularly into parts of Africa. Sierra Leone concurs with the Secretary-General’s assessment that while counter-terrorism operations have constrained Da’esh in the Middle East, its strategic orientation has shifted. Africa has become a new epicentre of operations, with the highest intensity of violence observed in the Lake Chad basin, the Sahel and parts of East Africa. In our February intervention (see S/PV.9856), Sierra Leone stressed three priorities that remain urgent today. First, tackling the root causes of terrorism is indispensable. Extremist ideologies thrive where exclusion, unemployment and poor governance prevail. Investing in education, economic opportunity and inclusive governance is critical if we are to deny Da’esh and its affiliates the fertile ground on which they recruit. Secondly, addressing regional fragility must remain central to our collective response. The report warns that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) affiliates are gaining autonomy in West Africa and the Sahel. Without coordinated action, these groups risk consolidating power, further weakening fragile States and destabilizing entire regions. Strengthening African-led responses, such as the Abuja Process, ensuring predictable funding for subregional standby forces, such as the Economic Community of West African States Standby Force, and supporting Thirdly, protecting vulnerable populations is a moral and security imperative. The expansion of Da’esh’s Furqan Office has fuelled violence and human rights abuses, targeting children, women and minorities. Prioritizing protection, accountability and humanitarian responses is not only an obligation under international law but also a prerequisite for sustainable peace. The expansion of Da’esh affiliates in Africa demands urgent attention. The report estimates that the Islamic State West Africa Province alone commands between 8,000 and 12,000 fighters, supported by an influx of foreign terrorist fighters. In the Sahel, the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara has sought to broaden its reach, while in East Africa, Da’esh-linked groups in Somalia and Mozambique remain resilient. These developments underscore the urgency of enhanced border management, intelligence-sharing and regional solidarity. Equally troubling are the intersections between terrorism and organized crime, including arms trafficking, illegal resource exploitation and smuggling networks across Libya, the Sahel and the Great Lakes region. Such dynamics entrench instability, fuel violence and fund terrorist operations. A comprehensive response must therefore integrate counter-terrorism with peacebuilding, disarmament and socioeconomic stabilization. Sierra Leone is also gravely concerned about the humanitarian crisis caused by terrorism, particularly in north-eastern Syria, where approximately 34,800 individuals, including more than 20,000 children, remain in camps under dire conditions. As the Secretary-General warns, these facilities risk becoming incubators for radicalization and recruitment. We therefore join his call for Member States to ensure the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of their nationals, consistent with international obligations and resolution 2427 (2018). Children, in particular, must be treated primarily as victims and granted access to protection and reintegration support. Sierra Leone emphasizes that the victims of terrorism, especially women and children, must remain at the heart of our global response. We welcome United Nations initiatives promoting gender-responsive reintegration and community-based prevention, including psychosocial support, rehabilitation and education. These must be scaled up in Africa, where communities continue to face the brunt of terrorism’s human cost. At the policy level, Sierra Leone reaffirms its strong support for 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. The effective, transparent and objective use of sanctions remains a critical tool in disrupting financial networks and restricting terrorist mobility. We welcome the coordinated approach between the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force, particularly in countering the misuse of emerging financial technologies. This strengthens collective capacity to address terrorist financing risks. Equally important is the role of criminal justice cooperation. The Secretary- General’s report documents significant progress in supporting national and regional legal frameworks, building investigative and prosecutorial capacities and enhancing cross-border coordination. These are tangible steps that must be sustained and replicated. Sierra Leone welcomes the efforts by the African Union in bolstering continental responses to terrorist threats, including through the operationalization of the African Union Plan of Action for the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism, the AU Ministerial Committee on Counter-Terrorism and the Comprehensive Continental Strategic Plan of Action on Countering Terrorism in Africa. We also call for deepened cooperation and collaboration between the AU and the United Nations in developing structured responses specifically tailored to the evolving ISIL/Da’esh threat in Africa. This could include establishing early warning and rapid response mechanisms, information-sharing platforms and joint capacity- building initiatives focused on operational, legal and intelligence cooperation. Such coordination should be anchored in respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, while supporting Member States to address the root causes and drivers of violent extremism and build resilient institutions and communities. We also note the progress highlighted in the Secretary-General’s report on advancing community resilience and multi-stakeholder approaches. Such strategies are indispensable for building trust, preventing recruitment and ensuring sustainable reintegration. For our part, at the national level, Sierra Leone has updated legislation on anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and cybersecurity to address evolving threats. We continue to strengthen institutional frameworks for the prevention, deterrence and prosecution of terrorist activities, aligned with international best practices. In conclusion, as the Secretary-General observes, Da’esh continues to exploit fragile contexts and new technologies. A comprehensive, rights-based response is therefore imperative. The Pact for the Future (General Assembly resolution 79/1) commits us to pursue a future free from terrorism. This commitment must be matched by political will, sustained partnerships and concerted action. Sierra Leone reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating terrorism and safeguarding international peace and security. Terrorism must never be viewed through a religious, regional or ethnic lens. Our efforts must remain anchored in human rights, international humanitarian law and the principles of multilateralism. The evolving threat of Da’esh demands resilience, unity and whole-of-society approaches. Only through strengthened cooperation, regional solidarity and sustained international commitment can we advance towards a world of peace, security and dignity for all.

I would like to thank Under-Secretary- General Vladimir Voronkov, Executive Director Natalia Gherman and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) President Elisa de Anda Madrazo for their briefings. The Council must remain mobilized to address the terrorist threat posed by Da’esh, which remains significant. That threat continues to reconfigure itself on every continent. In Africa, the Sahel has become the epicentre of international terrorism, which is spreading towards the Gulf of Guinea. Da’esh is also strengthening its presence on the rest of the continent, particularly in southern and eastern Africa. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan, based in Afghanistan, is the most active branch of the Islamic State and poses an acute threat to regional and international peace and security. The risk of a resurgence of terrorism in the Middle Our determination to combat Da’esh wherever it seeks to establish itself will not waver. France continues to be mobilized within the framework of the Global Coalition against Da’esh, alongside its partners. The Council must mobilize all the tools at its disposal to provide a collective response to this threat. We must make use of existing multilateral instruments, in particular the sanctions regime established by resolution 1267 (1999), to ensure that any individual or entity acting on behalf of Da’esh, Al-Qaida or their affiliates is sanctioned and their capacity for action curtailed. We also call for the implementation of sanctions established at the national or supranational level under resolution 1373 (2001). Our action against terrorism must adapt to the evolving threat on the ground. France is working to ensure this through three priority areas. Our top priority is to dry up sources of terrorist financing in order to tackle the root cause of the problem and deprive terrorists of the means to act. In 2018, France mobilized countries determined to combat all sources of terrorist financing through the No Money for Terror initiative, for which we hope to host the next conference in 2026. The challenges in this area are immense. Terrorist networks exploit every new opportunity offered by emerging technologies and invest in new virtual financial spaces every day. France reiterates its support for the FATF. Its recent report, co-authored by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate and France, highlights the need for enhanced international cooperation in the face of evolving terrorist financing risks. Our second priority is combating the spread of terrorist content online. It is essential to strengthen the resilience of our societies to jihadist propaganda and to limit the influence of online terrorist networks. Rapid advances in technology and artificial intelligence offer innovative tools for combating terrorist and violent extremist content online. They can also be sources of new vulnerabilities, which we must remain vigilant about. That is one of the challenges addressed by the Christchurch Call to Action, launched by France and New Zealand, which became a foundation last year. Our third priority is to strengthen our partners’ capacity to combat terrorism. We must develop partnerships based on dialogue, responding to the needs expressed by States and populations affected by terrorism, in order to foster a common culture of combating this threat. That is the objective of the Jacqueville International Counter- Terrorism Academy, launched in 2017 by France and Côte d’Ivoire. France also supports the Office of Counter-Terrorism as part of its programme on the protection of vulnerable targets in West Africa. Finally, I would like to reiterate that the fight against terrorism can only be effective and sustainable if it is conducted with full respect for human rights and the rule of law.

I thank the briefers. We are once again reminded that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is far from defeated. The group continues to adapt, evolve and exploit instability — both in the physical world and, increasingly, in the digital one. Let me highlight three points in that regard. First, the geography of the threat is shifting, but the methods are also changing. Africa remains a key battleground — from the Sahel to Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mozambique. The Sahel alone now accounts for over half of global terrorism deaths, spilling over into Benin, Togo and other neighbouring States. ISIL affiliates thrive in fragile environments, building influence through violence, propaganda, organized crime and the exploitation of weak governance  — often in settings where women and girls bear a disproportionate burden. What is also worrisome in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/496) is the group’s growing use of new technologies. We now see terrorists recruiting cyberexperts and experimenting with artificial intelligence for propaganda purposes. We also see how groups exploit new technology — including drones, cryptocurrencies and encrypted networks — to stay under the radar. These developments constitute a strategic shift that must be taken seriously. Terrorism is moving into new domains faster than many States and institutions are able to follow. We need to ensure that our shared tools and institutions are ready for these new challenges. The use of artificial intelligence, cybertactics and other new technologies must be matched by modern and enforceable countermeasures. Secondly, we need to ensure that our response is both agile and coordinated. Denmark supports the ongoing work to modernize the Organization’s counter- terrorism architecture. We need a system that is effective, accountable and able to respond to threats that cross borders and platforms. At the same time, we must protect tools that work. Several delegations today have mentioned the 1267 sanctions regime. As Chair of the Committee established 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, Denmark will continue to promote effective and principled sanctions against ISIL and its networks, while safeguarding human rights and the rule of law. That includes supporting timely listings, regular updates, consistent follow-up by Member States and the vital work of the Ombudsperson. In this work, the efforts of United Nations entities and the Financial Action Task Force to help Member States identify, detect and address terrorist financing risks are essential. Thirdly and lastly, prevention must remain central. ISIL continues to exploit the online space to radicalize and recruit, especially young people. The United Nations and its Member States must step up efforts in digital literacy, community resilience and counter-narratives grounded in human rights, the rule of law and human dignity. We therefore welcome the initiatives highlighted in this report on engaging youth and preventing the misuse of gaming platforms and social media. But more is needed — above all, practical and locally led initiatives that offer real alternatives, be it through education, sports or economic opportunities. At the same time, we must not lose sight of the offline realities that fuel radicalization and insecurity. In that regard, we welcome the increased repatriation efforts from camps in north-east Syria. But tens of thousands still remain, including approximately 30,000 people in Hawl and Rawj, 60 per cent of whom are children. With the future of camp management uncertain, their continued confinement carries risks for security and human rights alike. In closing, ISIL is adapting, so must we. This means addressing root causes, but also responding to the new tools, tactics and terrains of terrorism. Our counter- terrorism efforts must evolve, not just in geography, but in mindset, coordination and capability. Denmark remains committed to working with partners to shape a response that is principled, modern and fit for purpose, and importantly to ensure the United Nations remains a relevant and effective platform in this effort. The twenty-first report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) (S/2025/496) and the thirty-sixth report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team underscored that terrorism, albeit a global threat, poses the greatest danger in certain regions. The African continent is now facing the gravest threat, as ISIL has directed its strategic focus there. This was also stressed by our President, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in his report as the Coordinator on Preventing and Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism of the African Union, in which it was noted that the threat of terrorism in Africa is growing at an unprecedented and accelerating pace and becoming a complex phenomenon that combines ideological violence, cross-border organized crime and armed insurgencies. This phenomenon is felt through the spread of terrorist groups that sow terror across the continent, control swathes of territories and manage cross-border criminal networks, thereby increasing security challenges. Statistics indicate that Africa witnesses an average of eight terrorist attacks and 42 killings every day. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham maintains thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria, and its branch in West Africa has become the most active in terms of propaganda, taking advantage of its flexibility and adaptability and using advanced tools such as drones and artificial intelligence technologies to enhance its propaganda, seek territorial control and establish primitive government structures in the light of the fragilities in the region. Combating this threat requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach based on six main pillars. First, we must address the root causes by combining security measures with development initiatives and providing genuine opportunities for all segments of society, thereby depriving terrorism of its breeding ground, as poverty is often a breeding ground for extremism and radicalization. Secondly, we must strengthen the response to technological challenges by coordinating international efforts to counter the use of advanced and emerging technologies by terrorists. That requires building the capacities of developing countries and the necessary technology transfers. Thirdly, we must eliminate the sources of funding for terrorist groups. Money is one of the most important means of recruitment for terrorist groups in perpetuating terrorist threats. In that context, we stress the importance of the Algeria Guiding Principles in strengthening existing measures to prevent, detect and disrupt the use of new and emerging financial technologies for terrorist purposes. Fourthly, we must strengthen cooperation with regional organizations, foremost among which is the African Union, which has established an advanced institutional structure, including the African Union Counter Terrorism Centre and AFRIPOL. Regional organizations are best positioned to deal with the security threats that they are facing. Fifthly, we must build sustainable local capacities. We firmly believe that genuine success requires strong institutions, comprehensive strategies and effective partnerships. Sixthly, and lastly, we must implement community-based preventive initiatives that address local drivers of violent extremism, which have proven effective in several regions. Such awareness-raising efforts reduce radicalization among young people, who are the most vulnerable to recruitment. In conclusion, we stress that any effective fight against terrorism must strike a balance between security and sustainable development, based on our firm conviction that there can be no security without peace and no peace without development.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Panama. We welcome the Under-Secretary-General of the Office of Counter-Terrorism, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov; the Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, Ms. Natalia Gherman; and the President of the Financial Action Task Force, Ms. Elisa de Anda Madrazo, and thank them for their valuable contributions and their coordination in making it possible for us to hear their briefings in person. Terrorism is not retreating; it is adapting, moving and changing. Our response must keep pace with its evolution. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and Al-Qaida have intensified their presence in Africa, a region where fragile governance and informal economies allows them to consolidate their operations. The Sahel has become a focus of concern. Groups such as the Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin have modernized their operational capabilities, with the use of drones and improvised explosive devices, and they carry out complex attacks. In addition to attacking, they seek to control, govern and impose themselves as legitimate actors. Fighters from other regions are arriving in areas such as the Lake Chad basin, bringing with them operational experience and access to technology. That movement is also enabling the resurgence of dormant cells. Other regions are also facing significant risks. The terrorist threat can move easily, exploiting structural weaknesses to create new spaces of operation. Any response that fails to recognize this reality is doomed to fail. Syria remains an unstable epicentre. In the north-east of the country, individuals detained in facilities associated with alleged links to terrorist groups, including numerous children, remain without access to legal resources. Those conditions have turned those spaces into hotbeds of radicalization. Violent ideology has not disappeared: it is adapting and it persists. In Afghanistan, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan continues to pose a serious threat, projecting its influence into Central Asia and beyond. Its propaganda is sophisticated, targeted and adapted to multiple platforms, exploiting local vacuums. Institutions cannot leave those areas unaddressed. The relationship between terrorism and transnational crime has deepened. Drug trafficking, human trafficking, smuggling, illegal fishing, trafficking in natural resources and illicit mining are the sources of financing for these groups. Maritime infrastructure remains vulnerable. The joint programmes with the International Maritime Organization must be urgently reinforced to protect ports, trade routes and logistics chains from possible attacks. Terrorist financing schemes continue to evolve. Some small, unaffiliated cells operate with minimal resources but have a high impact. They use pseudo-anonymous transfer methods, informal mechanisms outside the regulated system and new blockchain-based technological tools. This evolution demands constant and flexible In this context, the narrative matters. Those who radicalize others have understood how to tell stories and engage audiences. We must do the same and more. Education and prevention must be accompanied by a clear communication and accountability strategy adapted to modern technologies. Panama reaffirms its commitment to the multilateral counter-terrorism architecture, in line with the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact. At the national level, we have stepped up supervision of non-financial subjects, adopted clear definitions of final beneficiaries and developed adaptable legal frameworks. All of this has improved our ability to identify risks. We also underscore everyone’s shared responsibility for designating jurisdictions that do not meet international financial security standards. It is unfair that there are double standards — the application of these mechanisms must be universal, coherent and applicable to countries and their dependent territories. Panama calls for the strengthening of official development assistance as a tool for prevention. We know that wherever international institutions retreat, other actors take their place. The weakening of international assistance is not just a political error  — it is a direct risk factor. Sanctions committees must be modernized. Designations must be governed by technical criteria, not political ones. To do this, the monitoring group needs constant and interference-free support. We reaffirm the importance of a system that effectively punishes those who finance terrorism, without compromising neutral and impartial humanitarian work. Sanctions must be specific, proportionate and based on clear evidence. It is imperative that they adhere to the principles of justice and fundamental rights. The legitimacy of the Council depends on the effectiveness of its tools. Politicizing sanctions committees weakens the system and puts lives at risk. The fight against terrorism cannot be based solely on military responses. It must be anchored in legality, cooperation, innovation and prevention. A system that does not adapt will collapse. The Security Council was not created to protect the interests of the most powerful countries or their allies. It was created to preserve the peace and security of all peoples of the world. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers.