As delivered
Remarks by Peter Thomson, President of the General Assembly, on the adoption of the counter-terrorism resolution
15 June 2017
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
The General Assembly meets today to renew its – and I quote – ‘unwavering commitment to strengthening international cooperation to prevent and combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations’, and to reaffirm ‘that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed’.
It is in the spirit of this commitment that the resolution establishing the Office of Counter-Terrorism is presented today.
This resolution will enhance the United Nations’ capability to assist Member States in implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy across its four pillars by ensuring greater coordination and coherence across the UN system, and by improving visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations’ counter-terrorism efforts.
I thank all delegations for working cooperatively and constructively throughout the consultation process and for supporting my office in securing this resolution, the first major institutional reform presented by Secretary-General Guterres. I commend it to you and I thank you.