2021 Counter-Terrorism Week

Background & overview

The Counter-Terrorism Week at the United Nations is a biennial gathering of Member States and international counter-terrorism partners. The Second Counter-Terrorism Week was initially scheduled to take place from 29 June to 3 July 2020 at the UN Headquarters in New York. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing decision of the General Assembly to postpone the review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy to its 75th session, the 2020 Counter-Terrorism Week was postponed to June 2021.

The Second Counter-Terrorism Week comprises two high-level events and 34 side events:

• The Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly to adopt the seventh biennial United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy review resolution
• The Second United Nations High-Level Conference (HLC) of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States from Monday 28 to Wednesday 30 June. 
• The CT Week will also feature 34 side events jointly organised by Member States, international and regional organizations, UN entities, civil society organizations and the private sector from Thursday 24 June to Wednesday 30 June.

The Second Counter-Terrorism Week coincides with the landmark 75th anniversary of the United Nations, the 15th anniversary of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and the 20th anniversary of the adoption of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) (S/RES/1373), which established the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC).

Seventh review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy

The UN General Assembly reviews the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS) every two years, making it a living document attuned to Member States’ counter-terrorism priorities. 

All Member States take part in the review of the Strategy as part of the work of the General Assembly. The President of the General Assembly has appointed the Permanent Representatives of Oman and Spain as co-facilitators of the seventh review of the GCTS to assist him in steering this intergovernmental process. UNOCT supports the co-facilitators as substantive secretariat of the review process. 

The General Assembly reviews the Strategy and considers the adoption of a resolution on this occasion. 

For more information on the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and its seventh review, please visit the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

Second United Nations High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States

The Secretary-General will convene the Second United Nations High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States from Monday 28 to Wednesday 30 June under the overarching theme “Countering and Preventing Terrorism in the Age of Transformative Technologies: Addressing the Challenges of the New Decade.” 

The Conference will provide a platform for Member States, United Nations entities, international and regional organizations, civil society organizations, and the private sector to exchange information, experiences, and good practices, as well as to explore further cooperation on key counter-terrorism priorities under the four pillars of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

UNOCT’s commitment to promote full respect for human rights and gender equality in the context of implementing the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy will be in focus throughout the Conference. 

The report of the First United Nations High-Level Conference on Counter-Terrorism (2018) is available here.

Side Events

During the 2021 Counter-Terrorism Week on the margins of the High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States, 34 Side Events will be organized by Member States, United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Compact Entities, Civil Society Organizations, and the private sector from 24 to 30 June 2021.

Each Side Event, lasting 90 minutes each, will feature discussions and presentations on a wide range of topics relevant to the main theme of the High-Level Conference “Countering and Preventing Terrorism in the Age of Transformative Technologies: Addressing the Challenges of the New Decade” as well as to the implementation of all four pillars of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and relevant Security Council resolutions. 

These events will identify new and emerging issues, deepen understanding of existing problems, and explore more effective counter-terrorism responses. The Side Events seek to provide a platform for experts from a diverse geographical, multicultural, and gender base, who are dedicated to sharing their knowledge in order to enhance the global and multifaceted approach that is needed to tackle terrorism and violent extremism.

For further information on the topics of all 34 Side Events, please consult the online Journal of Side Events or this brochure. The Journal features the full schedule, the details pertaining to each side event, as well as registration to the side events, which are open to the public.