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Madam President, Mr. Secretary General, Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me begin by thanking the Australian presidency of the Security Council for organising this highly pertinent debate. A few days ago ISIL carried out yet another beheading of a humanitarian worker, Abdul-Rahman, or Peter, Kassig. A disgusting, barbaric act which has been condemned by this Council. Terrorism brings devastation and suffering to the countries and people affected by it, by killing, raping, enslaving, displacing, denying the most basic of rights to those who are in terrorists’ way. The threat of terrorism knows no boundaries, as it spreads and mutates, affecting entire regions.

The fact that terrorism and violent extremism have been high on the agenda of the Security Council, and that we meet here today at this high level open debate, demonstrates the importance and urgency that this body attaches to such threats. We appreciate the intent of the Australian presidency to seize the momentum and take stock of the progress made in implementing recent decisions by the Council, while also discussing a practical way forward. The Presidential statement [to be] adopted today is another important step in that regard.

The constantly evolving nature and intensity of the threat of terrorism and violent extremism puts existing counter-terrorism measures under unprecedented test. Frameworks to tackle this threat existed long before the resolutions 2170 and 2178. Yet, as we have heard from the briefers today, the actual response is still lagging behind. Significant implementation gaps persist, either because of lack of capacities, resources, or political will, and efforts to bridge those gaps need to be stepped up. At the same time, concrete means and measures need to be updated and adapted if not to outpace, then at least to match the level of innovation and dynamics of the terrorists themselves.

Madam President,

Addressing the radicalization process that leads individuals to accepting terrorist violence as an action of choice is key to preventing new terrorists from emerging, as well as to dissuading and rehabilitating former terrorists.

We have already had several occasions to hear States sharing their national experiences that increasingly encompass education, greater public engagement and community outreach in order to push back the terrorist narratives and to provide positive alternatives to their spin. Community, traditional, and religious leaders, women and victims of terrorism, education, community policing and mobilisation, can contribute significantly to such efforts. On the other hand, the use of social media and modern communication technologies merits special attention, as it poses significant new challenges when used by terrorists. It also provides significant new opportunities for spreading the positive messaging to counter the terrorist narrative. The UN itself needs to step up its efforts in addressing the violent extremism and raise its visibility in this area, including through strategic communications.

Mobility and flexibility, as highlighted by the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters, exacerbate the threat of terrorism by providing it with potentially a global reach. Identifying and interdicting individuals as they travel to engage in fighting is often the last chance to prevent them from turning into actual terrorists, as well as a first step towards effective mitigation of potential threats upon their return. Countries need to step up their efforts on improving information sharing and analytical capability at border crossings. Wider and better use of INTERPOL databases must be encouraged. Moreover, capacities of States, especially those neighbouring conflict zones, to control their land borders need to be further strengthened.

It is essential also to step up efforts aimed at disrupting terrorist financing. Terrorist organizations increasingly rely on looting, illicit logging and trade in antiquities and protected species, poaching, kidnapping for ransom, human trafficking, and drug trafficking. Many of these activities have links with international organized crime networks. States’ ability to detect and prevent terrorism financing in all its varieties is a crucial component of counter-terrorism efforts. This is especially relevant with regard to the non-profit sector, alternative remittance systems, cross-border movement of cash and the ability to freeze funds and assets linked to terrorism.

Madam President,

These are just a few of many interrelated areas where advancements could contribute to the suppression of terrorism both tangibly and durably. In that regard, preventive measures are a long term investment, as reducing the vulnerability of states and strengthening resilience of societies to terrorist threats often prove to be more effective, also in terms of conflict prevention and conflict resolution.

The UN system as a whole plays a central role in leading the international efforts aimed at the suppression of terrorism and ensuring coherence of response. We recognize linkages with the recently revised UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy, and the benefits of closer and more coherent coordination among the various UN bodies tasked with its implementation. Moreover, we see great potential of cooperation with and among various international, regional and sub-regional organizations, such as the EU, OSCE, NATO, and GCTF.

The essential element of all these efforts, however, remains the long-term commitment of States. While various multilateral bodies are in position to monitor States’ implementation of relevant international obligations, and to help them identify and overcome existing gaps, effective measures to counter terrorism must correspond to national circumstances, be nationally led, but also remain open to genuine international cooperation.

Thank you.