The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) presented a new Technical Guide on Good Practices on Public Transport Protection against Terrorist Threats, which was developed through the UN Global Programme on Countering Threats against Vulnerable Targets, thanks to the generous contribution of the State of Qatar. A launch event on 18 March 2026 was hosted by and organized in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations in New York.
The high-level segment featured welcoming remarks from H.E. Mr. Shigeru Umetsu, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, followed by opening remarks from H.E. Mr. Mohammed Khalifa H. Al Nasr, Deputy Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations; Ms. Natalia Gherman, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED); and Mr. Eihab Omaish, UNOCT Director for Policy and Coordination, representing the Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism. All speakers underscored the importance of international cooperation in addressing the complex and evolving security challenges posed by terrorists including attacks against public transport.
In the subsequent technical segment, UNOCT presented the content of the Technical Guide, which showcases good practices, innovative tools, and recommendations, and elaborated on strengthening international cooperation and engagement with the United Nations on public transport security, in line with relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. An expert presentation from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism followed, focusing on Japan’s good practices and experience, and fostering dialogue and collaboration on preventing and countering terrorist threats in this area.
The event was attended by more than 100 participants from Permanent Missions of Member States in New York, members of the United Nations Network of Experts on Vulnerable Targets Protection—coming from the public sector, academia, civil society, the private sector, and international and regional organizations, and United Nations entities.
