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Statement delivered by Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations, at the 86th General Assembly Plenary Meeting on the “Culture of Peace; The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy”

Mr. Chairman, Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen

Italy aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of the European Union and wishes to add the following remarks in its national capacity.

The evolving terrorist threat requires a comprehensive approach by the international community. Clearly, the military solution is not sufficient. We need to also increase our efforts on the preventive side and to extend our work beyond the Governments, engaging with local communities, civil society and private sector to prevent the spread of the violent extremist ideology. Young people are particularly important since they are an easy target of propaganda.

At the same time we need closer cooperation between MS and relevant UN bodies.

In this context, the adoption of the present resolution on the Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism – which we fully support – represents a fundamental step toward a comprehensive preventive response, including through the “All-of-UN”.

We commend the Secretary General for pioneering such timely work in the uncharted waters of violent extremism conducive to terrorism.

While the main responsibility in this area is with Member States, the SG’s initiative confirms that the UN will be committed to work with us at all levels.

The review of the UN Global CT Strategy will provide much-needed analysis and indicate further steps and implementing initiatives.

Mr. Chairman,

On July 29, 2015, Italy convened an international debate in Rome on violent extremism. Its outcomes can make an useful contribution to the efforts of all relevant actors.

A key element of our policies and everyday action is attention to intercultural dialogue and education, in particular of young people, as well as the empowerment of women.

In our view, strengthening the culture of dialogue and tolerance and building constructive relations with all communities at the national level must go hand-in-hand with international cooperation between States, UN bodies and civil society organizations.

This approach should also be taken to the humanitarian crises and migration flows caused by violence in many parts of the world, especially in the Mediterranean basin. Open-door policies and respect for human suffering and hope are essential to promoting mutual trust and may be considered the basis for peaceful societies and institutions.

In this framework, in many international fora and on the ground, Italy is promoting projects for the protection of cultural heritage, with the support of other stakeholders. We are convinced that these initiatives reinforce mutual respect and help overcome intolerance and violent responses to diversity.

Mr. Chairman,

The UN family’s initiatives to prevent conflicts are particularly important when dealing with both extremism and complex factors conducive to terrorism. In this respect, the SG’s plan of action should be considered carefully in all its parts. We are looking forward to an inclusive and constructive process of implementation.

You can count on the continued support of Italy, which is already a very active partner of the joint efforts to counter terrorist activities and violent extremism, targeting crucial areas such as counter financing and strategic communication.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.