International Counter-Terrorism Focal Points Conference on Addressing Conditions Conducive to the Spread of Terrorism and Promoting Regional Cooperation

Vice-President and Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter
Distinguished Ministers
Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman
Madam High Commissioner Navi Pillay
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is a distinct privilege to welcome you to the Palais des Nations for this unique conference, organized jointly by the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force and the Government of Switzerland, to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and to promote regional cooperation.

I join the Secretary-General and Mr. Feltman in expressing our most sincere appreciation to Federal Councillor, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Didier Burkhalter and our Host Country for the generous support in organizing this conference. It is another demonstration of Switzerland’s firm commitment and active contributions to the work of the Organization, which are highly appreciated by the entire United Nations system.

As we have just heard in the Secretary-General’s message, the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy represents the cornerstone of the international community’s collective efforts to combat terrorism, in all its forms and wherever it may occur. The third review of the Strategy last year provides an important basis for taking this work forward in a constantly changing political and operational context.

I appreciate the work done by the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force on enhancing coordination and coherence in the United Nations’ counter-terrorism-related activities that are undertaken by the 31 Task Force entities, including those important ones based in Geneva.

Our focus today is on practical measures that can help towards effective implementation of the Strategy. As the geographical spread, tactics and strategies of terrorism evolve, our response needs to adapt to stay ahead of the curve.

Recent terrorist acts in big cities also reflect the need to be more creative and diverse in addressing the evolving terrorist threat.

Increasing intolerance, spread of sectarianism and extremism, socio-economic insecurities, and continuing conflict and instability in many regions can provide breeding ground for support for terrorist ideology and action.

Respect for human rights, strengthening of the rule of law, more effective enforcement, and capacity-building at national and regional levels must all be part of our response. We need to enhance the efforts to facilitate dialogue, nurture moderation and encourage a balanced discourse on social media and the Internet generally.

In light of the development of the terrorist threat, a concerted regional effort is crucial. We can only truly reduce national vulnerabilities to terrorism through regional and global support. I commend the work that has taken place in different regional contexts to strengthen collaboration in the counter-terrorism area. The case of the effective AU-UN collaboration in West and East Africa comes to mind.

As we today and tomorrow discuss how to confront the conditions conducive to terrorism, we need to look beyond traditional factors for a multidimensional response. We need to consider priorities of development, economic and security issues in an integrated manner.

There is consensus that development in general would be conducive to creating conditions where support for terrorism would not thrive. In this effort, we need to consider stronger efforts for disarmament more broadly. Over 1.7 trillion dollars are spent annually on armaments. This not only drains much-needed funds away from development efforts, but also contributes to a cycle of instability and insecurity.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As a multilateral hub, Geneva offers a particularly constructive platform for bringing together all players who can contribute to the strengthening of the global counter-terrorism partnership.

As the capital of human rights, disarmament and development, Geneva enables an in-depth discussion, at the highest levels, of the problems and challenges stemming from terrorism. I greatly appreciate that so many of you have taken the opportunity to capitalize on these strengths by attending this important conference.

You may rely on the full support of the United Nations family in Geneva in your critical work.

Thank you for your attention.