Statement by Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism
Session IV: Strengthening the role and capacity of the United Nations to support Member States to implement the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Just over a year ago, Member States agreed to establish the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism.
This was one of the first reforms of the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.
He was determined to mainstream countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism into the core work of the organization, both at Headquarters and in the field.
I want to briefly set out what we have achieved in line with the expectations of Member States and where we need to focus our further attention.
We have agreed a United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact with 38 United Nations entities, plus INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization, to enhance and improve coordination.
It helps to ensure an “All-of-UN” approach on key issues such as foreign terrorist fighters, supporting victims and ensuring gender sensitive approaches to countering terrorism.
We are strengthening our cooperation with civil society organizations, who do incredible work, often in difficult and dangerous circumstances. They are natural partners for us to strengthen the resilience of communities to terrorism.
My Office has signed 5 Memorandums of Understanding and framework agreements with partners both within the United Nations system and beyond. They help to use common resources in a more effective way.
We are also strengthening our collaboration with regional organisations, including the European Union, the African Union, the Arab League, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
We have improved our cooperation with the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate of the Security Council.
The first joint report with CTED was published in April, which included a number of practical steps to establish a new collaborative way of working.
Through the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre - a part of our Office of Counter-Terrorism - we are delivering over 35 capacity-building projects to support those Member States most affected by terrorism.
These cover a wide range of priority issues, such as youth empowerment, border management, aviation security, prisoner de-radicalization and the needs of child returnees.
We are developing a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to help us demonstrate the positive impact of these projects in the field.
We are continuing to expand the donor base of the Office of Counter-Terrorism to ensure we have sustainable funding.
I would like to thank the 30 Member States that have provided generous funding to the Trust Fund for Counter-Terrorism.
I would also like to express my appreciation for the valuable role of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre Advisory Board.
But reforming an institution as large and complex as the United Nations requires a continuous process of change. That is why I wanted to hear your views this afternoon on what more we can do to help you build resilience to terrorism in our societies.
You may not find all the answers today, but I hope this will be the start of an ongoing consultation with you on these important issues.
I will now hand over to Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, to make her remarks.
Madame, the floor is yours.