Mr./Madam Chair,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and my own country, Norway.
Terrorism and violent extremism remain serious transnational threats. They endanger international peace and security, erode social cohesion and inflict profound harm on individuals and communities. The Nordic countries condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, irrespective of its motivation, location or perpetrator. We are also concerned by the persistent danger posed by violent right-wing extremism, including in our own societies.
ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and their affiliates remain adaptable and resilient. The threat is particularly acute in parts of Africa, including the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, the Horn of Africa and Central Africa, where terrorist groups exploit armed conflict, governance deficits, unresolved grievances and poverty. ISIL also retains a presence in Iraq and Syria, while ISIL-Khorasan continues to threaten Afghanistan, the wider region and countries further afield.
Terrorist groups are also expanding their use of new and emerging technologies. Artificial intelligence, encrypted communications, virtual assets and unmanned aircraft systems can facilitate propaganda, recruitment, financing and operational activity. International cooperation and information-sharing must keep pace with these developments, while remaining firmly grounded in international law.
Mr./Madam Chair,
The Nordic countries welcome the conclusion of the ninth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in July. The Strategy remains the central global framework for collective action against terrorism and again affirms that counterterrorism measures must comply with international law. Although we regret consensus was not maintained in this review, we appreciate the resolution succeeded in maintaining the achievements of over two decades of intergovernmental negotiations. We remain committed to balanced and integrated implementation of the Strategy across all four pillars. We will continue to support coherent and effective action by the Secretary-General and the United Nations system.
Prevention must remain central to our efforts. Durable counter-terrorism policies must address the conditions that terrorist and violent extremist groups exploit, while strengthening resilience, inclusion and confidence in public institutions. Civil society, local communities, women and young people are essential partners. Particular attention is required to protect children and young people from recruitment, exploitation and violence, to build resilience against extremist narratives and to safeguard education from attack.
Counter-terrorism and respect for international law reinforce one another. All measures to prevent and combat terrorism must comply with States’ obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international humanitarian law and refugee law. Upholding human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law is both a legal duty and a prerequisite for effective counter-terrorism. Measures that disregard these standards lose legitimacy, weaken effectiveness and can fuel further radicalisation.
Mr./Madam Chair,
The Nordic countries remain committed to supporting the Secretary-General’s efforts, the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and the work of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact.
We reaffirm our commitment to international cooperation, prevention, accountability and respect for international law. Sustained collective action is indispensable if we are to counter terrorism effectively while protecting the principles and values our efforts are intended to uphold.
Thank you.