World

Emphasis on Countering Global Terrorism that uses new & emerging technologies

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj chaired an open briefing of the UNSC’s Counter-Terrorism Committee on 2nd December 2022. The meeting was organized with the aim to reflect on the gains of the Special Meeting held in India, earlier in October 2022. The briefing witnessed participation of member states in both in-person and virtual modes. They discussed and presented the outcomes of the Counter-Terrorism Committee’s (CTC) special meeting, which was based on “Countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.”

CTC’s Special Meeting in Mumbai and New Delhi

The special meeting deliberated about the challenges, possessed by the use of emerging new technologies applied by terrorists in carrying out terror activities. The meeting focused on three significant technologies 1. The Internet and social media; 2. New payment technologies and fundraising methods and 3. Unmanned Aerial System, including drones (UAS).

Apart from discussing the current emerging technologies used by terrorists, the special meeting also considered the continuous emergence of such technologies, which is responsible for the evolution of more complex terrorism. The outcome of the special meeting was the Delhi Declaration.

The Delhi Declaration

The Delhi Declaration is a document adopted by the members of UNCTC. It highlights that terrorism in all forms and manifestations is one of the most serious threats. Further, the acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable. In addition, the declaration emphasized on ‘Zero Tolerance’ towards terrorism through full and effective implementation of UN Security Council resolutions along with member states to fulfill their obligation enshrined in relevant international counter-terrorism conventions.

The Declaration is a pioneer document aimed at enhancing the Council’s approach to address this threat in a comprehensive and holistic manner said, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj.

Moreover, the declaration makes the members obliged to prevent and suppress terror financing along with cooperating in the fight against terrorism to identify safe havens, denying terrorists access to them, and bringing justice in accordance with domestic and international laws.

Hosted by the Indian Government in Mumbai and New Delhi on 28 and 29 October 2022, the meeting was the very first occasion, in which the CTC was held away from its headquarters since 2015 and was only the 7th time, CTC organized a special meeting outside of New York, since its inception in 2001.

CTC to Support and Assist Member states in Countering Terrorism

The Ambassador also highlighted that the committee, with the support of the Committee’s Executive Directorate (CTED), is determined to continue to assist all member states to achieve the full implementation of all relevant security council resolutions that pertain to the cause.

During the concluding remarks at the open briefing, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj expressed confidence that under the leadership of the UAE, the incoming chair of CTC, the committee will continue to work in the direction of countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.

Expressing solidarity towards the victims of terrorism and the Mumbai Attacks, the committee also observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of terrorism, their families, and the survivors of terrorism.

 

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