Intervento pronunciato dall’Ambasciatore Maurizio Massari, Rappresentante Permanente dell’Italia presso le Nazioni Unite, allo Special Meeting della Commissione ONU Antiterrorismo in commemorazione del 20^ anniversario dell’adozione in Consiglio di Sicurezza della Ris. 1373 (2001) e della creazione della Commissione Antiterrorismo —
Thank you, Mr. Chair,
Italy welcomes this celebration of the Twentieth Anniversary of the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1373 and of the establishment of the Counter-Terrorism Committee.
Resolution 1373 is a cornerstone of the work of the United Nations in the fight against terrorism, as well as a fundamental point of reference also for other international institutions, regional organizations and private stakeholders.
The creation, through the Resolution, of a body of legally binding obligations for Member States was a real breakthrough in promoting a cooperative and result-oriented approach at the international and global level.
The establishment of the Counter-Terrorism Committee was another key factor in ensuring that this approach remains consistent and effective in the medium and long run, reflecting also the evolution of the threat and the progressive implementation of effective policies and countermeasures by Member States. The roles of the Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate and UNOCT – respectively, in assessing counter-terrorism efforts and priority areas for technical assistance, and in enhancing coordination in the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy have successfully integrated and completed the system.
Notwithstanding the efforts of the United Nations and its Member States, the threat of terrorism and violent extremism is still there. As highlighted in the latest version of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the magnitude of the challenge remains mainly intact, having benefitted from modern modalities of propaganda, radicalization and recruitment and having been nurtured by increased social and economic vulnerabilities, further aggravated, by the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic.
Therefore, it is crucial to continue increasing international cooperation in tackling all forms of terrorism, by further strengthening information sharing and operational coordination among States, while respecting, at the same time, human rights and the rule of law. It is particularly important to make the action against terrorist financing more and more effective, namely through the work of the Financial Action Task Force, aiming at dismantling the transnational organized crime that fuel terrorist groups.
At the same time, we share the view that preventive policies based on the valorization of human rights and social justice can substantially drain the appeal of terrorist propaganda. Hence, the need to create inclusive, open and resilient societies, capable of preventing the emergence of social marginalization and isolation.
In this spirit and with this objective, it is important to pursue a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in the fight against terrorism, based on cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, including civil society and the private sector, and on the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and youth. No less important is the role of the media and religious actors in their efforts to disseminate reliable information, broaden understanding, enhance dialogue and promote pluralism, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Last but certainly not least, we must continue to devote the highest attention to the support of victims and to the protection of their rights, namely the right to recover from the trauma and the right to be fully reintegrated in their social community.
I thank you.
