Spokesman Report
ISLAMABAD : The State of Qatar reiterated condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever it is committed, and whatever its justifications may be, affirming its determination to continue working as an effective international partner to prevent the heinous scourge of terrorism.
This came in a pre-recorded speech delivered on Monday by HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani at the opening session of the Second United Nations High-level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States, as part of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Week.
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said, “Preventing and countering terrorism are areas that require the highest degree of international coordination and cooperation. In that regard, the United Nations plays a central role in revitalizing multilateral cooperation, as represented by convening this high-level conference. We look forward to this conference contribution in building on and developing the outcome of the First Conference in 2018 and the Virtual Week of last year.”
“To ensure the effectiveness of our joint efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism, we must work on addressing the root causes of terrorism and to support programs and activities in integrated areas such as education, youth employment and countering extremist discourse. Nevertheless, such steps are not enough as the terrorist threat is a complex and evolving threat, and terrorists continue to exploit technological tools and international and emerging conditions, such as the coronavirus pandemic, to further their activities and attacks,” he added.
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani noted, “In this context, the State of Qatar took the initiative and inaugurated in last December the International Hub on Behavioral Insights to Counter Terrorism as a program office of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) in Doha, funded by the State of Qatar. We look forward to the International Hub becoming a resource center at the international level and to contribute to the collection and exchange of experiences and research.”
HE the Minister of Foreign Affairs added, “I would also like to note the opening this month in Doha of the United Nations Program Office on Parliamentary Engagement in Preventing and Countering Terrorism, which will contribute to the development of legislative models on the rights of victims of right-wing extremism and to activating the role of parliaments in countering terrorism and extremism.”
“Work is also being done in the State of Qatar to harness the field of sports to counter terrorism through the International Center for Sport Security,” he explained.
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs underlined, “The State of Qatar is committed to the integrated implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy through its four pillars, as well as the relevant international instruments and Security Council resolutions.”
His Excellency pointed out, “The State of Qatar has updated its national legislation and regulations related to counterterrorism, anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, and prepared a national strategy in this regard. The State of Qatar also actively participates in international mechanisms for coordinating efforts to counter terrorism and its financing, in addition to cooperation between national entities and committees in the State of Qatar and relevant agencies from friendly countries. The State of Qatar also maintains continuous cooperation and communication with many relevant United Nations bodies, especially the Counterterrorism Executive Directorate and the UNOCT.”
“In this regard, we commend the central leadership and ongoing diligent efforts by the UNOCT to strengthen its field presence which ensures impactful and effective implementation of programs,” he continued.
HE the Foreign Minister added, “We affirm the State of Qatar’s commitment to its partnership with the UNOCT, as a major contributor and a partner in implementing pioneering projects that would achieve tangible results, such as the Global Program on Countering Terrorist Threats against Vulnerable Targets, the Countering Terrorist Travel Program and the First Annual Forum for Beneficiaries of Technical Assistance which will be convened jointly with UNOCT in Doha in October.”
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs concluded, “I would like also to express the appreciation of the State of Qatar for the tireless efforts and unremitting endeavours made in preparation for the conference and other activities of the Second United Nations Counter-Terrorism Week. I welcome the consensus reached on the General Assembly resolution on the Seventh Review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.”