Discorso pronunciato dall’Italia al Consiglio di Sicurezza Briefing sulle Minacce alla Pace ed alla Sicurezza Internazionale causata dagli attacchi terroristici: sicurezza aerea —
Mr. President,
I wish to thank the Ethiopian Presidency for convening this meeting, the chair of the Counter Terrorism Committee Amb. Abdellatif Aboulatta and in particular the Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization Dr Fang Liu for the great accuracy and importance of the organization’s work to raise the level of safety of civil aviation.
A year has passed since the Security Council adopted resolution 2309 and in the meantime the terrorist threat has been contrasted but is still present. The danger of infiltrating terrorists in civil aviation passenger flows was previously mainly related to the Foreign Terrorist Fighters, as highlighted by Resolution 2178, while currently the terrorists detection is focused on returnees.
In any case, the civil aviation is still vulnerable by this kind of threat, therefore the international community is called upon to strengthen cooperation, information sharing, and even security measures at and within airports, according to updated and shared standards.
Mr. President,
Last May 26th, with the Taormina Statement on the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, the G7 leaders confirmed the commitment to strengthening cooperation among border agencies and to supporting the expansion of the use of Passenger Name Record and Advance Passenger Information in traveler screening.
We acknowledge that many Countries in several Regions need capacity building projects to enhance the effectiveness of their counter-action against terrorism and with specific reference to aviation security there are objective constraints for the technological transition from pre-existing information systems to current API: this transition takes time and implies the need to manage different systems for a certain period, but the critical importance of API as an effective tool in the fight against terrorism is undeniable.
Ensuring the safety of international flights and passengers as well as helping to prevent terrorist attacks and the effectiveness of law enforcement and judicial action are the essential goals of Resolution 2309. Implementation is now key. We are dealing with a global threat, it is therefore necessary to share not only international standards, but also expertise and implementation best practices. In this sense, assistance and technical support provided by CTED and ICAO are fundamental.
Finally, we look forward to the broadest agreement among Member States on the approval of the Global Aviation Security Plan, as a further significant step forward for the security of civil aviation.
Mr. President,
Italy will continue to support the optimal implementation of all the requirements needed to enhance the effectiveness of the prevention of terrorist attacks, bearing in mind that the security of airports and flights is a civil right and our fundamental collective freedom.
