Baghdad and New York, 8 March 2018 – Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), and Ms. Michèle Coninsx, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), yesterday concluded a two-day visit to Iraq at the invitation of the Government and with the support of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).
The joint delegation met with high ranking officials in Iraq as well as with representatives of the diplomatic community, UNAMI, and the United Nations Country Team.
The joint delegation congratulated Iraq on the military victory against the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) and commended Iraq for its continued and long-term resolve in the fight against terrorism. They underscored the importance of comprehensive counter- terrorism efforts in accordance with all the four pillars of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the relevant Security Council resolutions.
“This joint UNOCT – CTED visit symbolises the concerted efforts of the United Nations to support Iraq’s fight against terrorism,” said Mr. Voronkov during the meetings with senior officials. “We want to emphasise, with one voice, the importance of preventing and countering terrorism in accordance with the rule of law, and commend Iraq’s ongoing efforts to ensure that its counter- terrorism laws are in compliance with the universal counter-terrorism legal framework,” stated Ms. Coninsx.
During the meetings, the joint delegation discussed the counter-terrorism priorities of Iraq and the Government’s progress in addressing the 16 priority needs identified by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee in 2015 and endorsed by Iraq.
The United Nations Senior Representatives also visited Fallujah, a one-time stronghold of Daesh west of the Iraqi capital that was liberated by Iraqi forces in June 2016. They met there with the Mayor and other local officials, and toured the city.
The joint delegation reiterated the strong support of the United Nations to Iraq. Based on the priority needs identified, UNOCT will provide technical assistance in priority areas, including capacity-building assistance, which were discussed and reiterated during the visit and in coordination with UNAMI and the UN Country Team.
“This joint visit complements UNAMI’s efforts in supporting the Government of Iraq in its efforts to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous country for the people of Iraq,” concluded Mr. Ján Kubiš, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq and the Head of UNAMI.
The three leaders of UNOCT, CTED, and UNAMI have agreed to seize the first available opportunity to report back jointly to the Security Council at one of its relevant upcoming sessions.
Background
This joint visit was conducted within the framework of the joint efforts of UNOCT and CTED to facilitate the delivery of counter-terrorism related technical assistance to Member States in accordance with Security Council resolution 2395 (2017), in which the Security Council underscored the need for the two entities to work closely together, within their respective mandates, to ensure balanced implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the relevant resolutions of the Security Council.
Mandated by the General Assembly, UNOCT was established in June 2017 to provide leadership to the implementation of General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates, to enhance coordination and coherence, and to strengthen the delivery of the United Nations counter-terrorism capacity building assistance to Member States.
Established by the Security Council, the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) is a Special Political Mission of the United Nations, tasked with assisting the Security Council Counter Terrorism Committee in monitoring the effective implementation of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) and other relevant counter-terrorism resolutions. CTED conducts objective country on site assessments that constitute the basis for the concerned technical assistance and capacity-building projects.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr. Samir Ghattas, United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).
Ms. Laurence Gerard, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism.
Mr. Mattias Sundholm, Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). .