The Security Council has been dealing with terrorism issues since the early 1990s. In the 1990s, its actions took the form of sanctions against States considered to have links to certain acts of terrorism: Libya (1992); Sudan (1996) and the Taliban (1999 - expanded to include Al-Qaida in 2000 by resolution 1333). In resolution 1269 of 1999, the Security Council called on countries to work together to prevent and suppress all terrorist acts; a precursor to the intensification of its counter-terrorism work since 2001 9/11.

Prior to 11 September 2001, the Security Council had established a strong counter-terrorism tool: the 1267 Committee – made up of all Council members -- established in 1999 by resolution 1267 and tasked with monitoring the sanctions against the Taliban (and subsequently Al-Qaida as of 2000). At the request of the Security Council, the Secretary-General has appointed an Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team to assist the Committee. The Team comprises experts in counter-terrorism and related legal issues, arms embargoes, travel bans and terrorist financing..

In 2001, following the September 11 terrorist attacks against the US , the Security Council established a Counter Terrorism Committee also comprising all members of the Security Council, under resolution 1373. This resolution obliges Member States to take a number of measures to prevent terrorist activities and to criminalize various forms of terrorist actions, as well as to take measures that assist and promote cooperation among countries including adherence to international counter-terrorism instruments. Member States are required to report regularly to the Counter Terrorism Committee on the measures they have taken to implement resolution 1373.

To assist the Committee's work, in 2004 the Council adopted resolution 1535, which called for the setting up of a Counter Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) to monitor the implementation of Resolution 1373 and to facilitate the provision of technical assistance to Member States.

Also in 2004 the Council, through resolution 1540, added another counter-terrorism - related body to its arsenal: the 1540 Committee - also made up of all Council members - was given the task of monitoring Member States' compliance with resolution 1540, which calls on States to prevent non-State actors (including terrorist groups) from accessing weapons of mass destruction.

The Council, also in 2004, adopted resolution 1566 which called on Member States to take action against groups and organizations engaged in terrorist activities that were not subject to the 1267 Committee's review. Resolution 1566 established the 1566 Working Group made up of all Council members to recommend practical measures against such individuals and groups, as well as to explore the possibility of setting up a compensation fund for victims of terrorism.

In conjunction with the World Summit, on 14 September 2005 the Security Council held a high-level meeting and adopted Resolution 1624(2005) condemning all acts of terrorism irrespective of their motivation, as well as the incitement to such acts. It also called on Member States to prohibit by law terrorist acts and incitement to commit them and to deny safe haven to anyone guilty of such conduct.