Statement delivered by Ambassador Ranko Vilovic, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Croatia to the United Nations, at the special meetingof the Counter-Terrorism Committee, Session II: Capacity-building and International Cooperation.
Mr. Moderator,
Let me start by thanking the Chairman and members of the Counter-Terrorism Committee for convening this special meeting on the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001) and the establishment of the Committee.
Born in the wake of devastating terrorist attacks on the United States, which were also attacks on the modern world and democracy, in the past decade the CTC has proved to be an essential element of the United Nations counter-terrorism machinery, and a signature committee of the Security Council.
As you know, Croatia had a privilege to chair this Committee in the period 2008-2009.
Therefore, we consider ourselves to be partial shareholders of the Committee's success and congratulate all involved, from the US and the UK missions that gave the initial impetus, to all other chairmen, especially Ambassadors Apakan of Turkey and Puri of India, who have been leading the work of the CTC with admirable energy and vigor.
Let me also pay my respect to vice-chairmen of the Committee, who head its sub-committees, where in-depth discussion of country files usually takes place.
Furthermore, I would like to recognize the unwavering commitment of Mr. Mike Smith, Executive Director of CTED, and his team, to assisting the Committee in carrying out its mandate. Success of institutions depends heavily on the diligence, creativity and solidarity of its staff. My delegation has interacted intensively with CTED in the two years of our Security Council mandate and can testify to their professionalism and expertise. A token of recognition should also go to the Secretariat.
Mr. Moderator,
The meeting today provides an opportunity to assess past achievements of the CTC and share our views on its future.
The first achievement is the role of the CTC in upholding a universal norm that terrorism is a serious threat to international peace and security which can never be justified nor defended. This norm has subsequently been comprehensively embodied in the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and further strengthened through 16 counter-terrorism instruments, Security Council resolutions and other relevant documents.
Security Council resolution 1373 (2011), adopted ten years ago today, has brought a set of binding measures on Member States. It has often been stated that the primary responsibility for the implementation of this and other resolutions rests with Member States. While this is true, the Committee has developed several tools of monitoring the implementation of resolution, providing Member States with guidance and support, and facilitating their mutual cooperation and the delivery of technical assistance.
We are pleased that during Croatia's chairmanship CTED has finalized Preliminary Implementation Assessments (PIAs) for all Member States of the UN, having in mind that the drafting and subsequent stocktaking of PIAs encompasses time-consuming work in several stages accompanied by constant dialogue with the States involved.
In addition, in the same period the Committee adopted the first two versions of the Global Implementation Survey. I welcome the 2011 Global Implementation Survey that was just posted on the CTC website, as one of the outcomes of the Committee's work which is useful for its outreach not only to counter-terrorism practitioners, but also to the wider public.
It is reassuring to note that global surveys include a chapter on human rights, as preventing and countering terrorism will only work if we remain fully dedicated to respecting fundamental rights and freedoms, promoting integration and cultural dialogue and fighting discrimination.
Moreover, during our chairmanship, CTED was investing a lot of effort into producing the Technical guide on the implementation of resolution 1373 (2011). This guide has been made public, and I would like to convey to you positive feedback received from counter-terrorism practitioners in the capital on the usefulness of this guide for their everyday work.
Finally, an increased amount of CTC and CTED work is devoted to international cooperation and organization of special meetings, workshops and seminars with counter-terrorism experts in various regions of the world, including in South-Eastern Europe. In those first-hand contacts, CTED's tools come in handy and help them build capacity and encourage States to join international counter-terrorism instruments, adopt necessary laws and regulations for effective fight against terrorism and enhance their cooperation with immediate neighbors and the international community at large.
Mr. Moderator,
Regarding the future of the Committee, we echo the message of the Secretary-General that terrorism is as potent a threat today as it was ten years ago and therefore the Security Council should stand firm in its resolve to ensure that no effort is spared to strengthen international action against this global peril.
In this respect, Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy represents an overarching framework, pooling together all Member States, United Nations bodies, agencies and other counter-terrorism partners. Four pillars identified in the Plan of Action provide the international community with a holistic, comprehensive and preventive framework against terrorism.
In the past years, the Committee and its Executive Directorate have enhanced their cooperation with the Counter-Terrorism Implementation task Force (CTITF) and with other United Nations bodies that contribute to the implementation of the Strategy.
The specific and unique role of the CTC in this collaborative endeavor lies in its unprecedented collection and analysis of data on domestic implementation of resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005), lessons learned and contacts established during its country visits and conduct of workshops and seminars, as well as experience in facilitating technical assistance.
CTC and CTED have also developed close working and mutually reinforcing relationships with their international counter-terrorism partners within and outside of the CTITF, such as UNODC, Council of Europe, Organization of American States, European Union, OSCE and others.
All of this creates favorable foundations for the international community to invest additional efforts in sharing best practices, enhancing cooperation and putting in place effective coordination of activities in order to maximize common output in countering terrorism.
Thank you.
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