On 28 September 2001, the Security Council adopted its resolution 1373 (2001), a landmark resolution that defined a broad counter-terrorism mandate for the international community and established the Counter-Terrorism Committee to monitor Member States’ implementation of its provisions. This unanimous recognition by the Security Council of the severe threat posed by terrorism to international peace and security was a pivotal moment in the international community’s counter-terrorism response to terrorism.
Since 2001, the United Nations has been at the heart of the global effort to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The Council has taken the leading role in guiding the evolution of the approaches required to address the threat of terrorism. Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) is the foundation upon which the Council’s active counter-terrorism framework is built and continues to provide the basis for further developments in countering terrorism.
The year 2021 marks the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001) and the establishment of the Committee. Although much has been accomplished in the area of countering and preventing terrorism, significant challenges and gaps remain. The proposed special meeting will provide an opportunity to reflect on the work of the Committee and CTED over the last 20 years and to address the change and impact achieved through their committed efforts. It will facilitate in- depth discussion of the successes achieved and challenges encountered by States in implementing resolution 1373 (2001) and subsequent resolutions, as well as their various good practices developed.
The discussions will focus on the progress made and continuing challenges in implementing resolution 1373 (2001) and other relevant resolutions, as addressed by the Committee’s 2021 updated Global survey of the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) and other relevant resolutions by Member States (to be issued) and as experienced by States themselves. Participants are encouraged to reflect on significant developments in the work of the Committee and CTED to advance international standards, promote the adoption of a comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism, encourage engagement with civil society and its integration into the overarching global counter-terrorism effort, and ensure the inclusion of the human rights and gender dimensions in countering terrorism and violent extremism leading to terrorism.
The special meeting will also adopt a forward-looking stance by considering next steps for the Committee and CTED, as well as the future of counter-terrorism efforts. This will enable Member States, United Nations bodies, international and regional organizations and entities, civil society groups and academia to discuss areas where further engagement and innovation are required, especially with regard to addressing emerging terrorist threats and ways in which the United Nations counter-terrorism efforts and architecture could be further enhanced to help strengthen States’ responses to the global terrorist threat, in compliance with international law, including international human rights, refugee, and humanitarian law.
The special meeting is scheduled to be held at United Nations Headquarters, New York, on Thursday, 4 November 2021, as a full-day event.
The special meeting is open to the wider United Nations membership and other relevant stakeholders, to include partner United Nations counter-terrorism bodies, representatives of international, regional and subregional organizations, and representatives of the GRN, civil society and the media.
The draft concept note is available here.
The draft agenda is available here.
The open meeting will be livestreamed on UN Web TV.