On September 14, 2021, the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened. Every year, UNGA brings together high-level representatives of the 193 Member States, yielding a unique opportunity for multilateral discussions on a wide array of issues, including threats and challenges to international peace and security posed by terrorists and terrorist organizations. This year’s high-level meeting will be held under the theme “Building resilience through hope – to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people and revitalize the United Nations.”
Throughout the last year and a half, the COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably impacted the geopolitical landscape, and other areas of the global policy spectrum, including counter-terrorism. In this regard, CTED has been and continues to be at the forefront in identifying the impact of the pandemic on terrorism, counter-terrorism, and countering violent extremism, including with its third analytical paper published in June this year. As we are moving towards the “next normal”, it is essential to overcome the obstacles presented to the international community through strong cooperation at the local, national, regional and international levels with close engagement with a broad range of partners.
The high-level week will provide another welcome opportunity for CTED to build upon its continued and robust dialogue with Member States; advance the objectives of the Security Council resolutions and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy; discuss the risks and challenges associated with the evolving terrorist threat landscape throughout the pandemic; and provide tailored support and guidance in the global efforts to counter terrorism.