JOINT STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF COMMITTEES ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTIONS 1373(2001), 1540(2004), 1267(1999) and 1989(2011)
Delivered by Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the UN ambassador Raimonda Murmokaitė, Chair of the Counter-terrorism committee to the Security Council) Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, On behalf of the Chairs of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001), on counter-terrorism; the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities, I have the honour to brief the Council on thecontinuing cooperation among the three Committees and their respective expert groups.
I would like to address three key areas of such cooperation:
- information sharing and joint meetings;
- outreach activities and country visits; and
- participation in a broader counter-terrorism framework.
The three Committees and their respective expert groups continued the practice of sharing relevant information and of meeting, where appropriate, in order to discuss common issues, coordinate actions and exchange information on particular issues.
The 1540 Experts Group and the 1267 Monitoring Team, for instance, held regular informal exchanges concerning new challenges, such as the implications of scientific and technological developments in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons in relation to non-state actors, including terrorists. The 1540 Experts Group and CTED shared experiences on compiling effective implementation practices in accordance with their respective mandates. In addition, the members of the expert groups participated in training sessions, such as on the relationship between the Internet and communication technologies and terrorism, organized by CTED in December 2013.
The Committees also continued to extend invitations to each other and their expert groups when arranging thematic briefings and presentations, including those by visiting officials from international and regional organizations. One of such briefings, with the participation of theSecretary-General of theWorld Customs Organisation, was organized by the 1540 Committee in February. Earlier this month, the 1267 Monitoring Team and CTED made a joint presentation to the 1373 Committee members on kidnapping for ransom.
All three expert groups continued to coordinate their outreach activities and country visits on a regular basis. Where appropriate, the three groups consulted one another when planning country visits and other missions, in order to facilitate the participation of their respective experts and to ensure a consistent and coherent approach.
A noteworthy example of such cooperation is this week’s comprehensive assessment visit to Mongolia, conducted by CTED, on behalf of 1373 Committee, and joined by the 1540 Expert Group and the 1267 Monitoring Team.
As regards broader regional perspectives, members of the 1267 Monitoring Team also participated in CTED-facilitated workshops in Southeast Asia and South Asia in December and in West Africa in April, and both expert groups jointly facilitated a workshop for member states of theEastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) in April.
Another step in regional engagement is marked with the establishment, pursuant to Security Council resolution 2129 (2013), of a shared focal point for the Caribbean region to work on issues relevant to the three Committees and their respective groups of experts. It is hosted by CARICOM and funded by the Government of Australia, and deals with requests from Member States of the region to facilitate the delivery of integrated technical assistance that addresses both counter-terrorism measures and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The initiative may also be considered a pilot project that may lead, where appropriate, to the shared use of focal points in other regions.
The expert groups continued to work closely with one another within the framework of theCounter Terrorism Implementation Task Force, notably its various thematic working groups, and contributed to the preparation of the 4th review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. In addition, members of the 1267 Monitoring Team and CTED were actively involved in the launch of theCTITF Global Experts’ Meeting on Building Capacity for Terrorist Designations and Asset-Freezing, held this month.
The expert groups continued also to coordinate among themselves during participation in the work of other entities and forums dealing with counter-terrorism, such as: the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre regarding design, facilitation and pursuit of technical assistance programmes and projects on a thematic and regional basis; the Financial Action Task Force, regarding the implementation of counter-terrorist financing measures, including Security Council sanctions; and the Global Counterterrorism Forum, on areas within their respective mandates.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
The work of the three Committees and their expert groups has been intensified, but continues to present opportunities for further synergies and to strengthen the delivery of results.
The Committees and their expert groups will continue to explore ways to further strengthen their coordination and cooperation while maintaining respect for the mandates of their respective Committees and the independence of the respective expert groups.
This concludes my joint statement to the Security Council.
Thank you.
