Opening session of CICTE 15th Regular Session
Addressing a gathering of senior counter-terrorism officials from OAS member States, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) recalled the urgent need for Member States to protect critical infrastructures.
※The importance of such protection cannot be overemphasized§, Mr. Weixiong Chen, CTED Deputy Executive Director, told a meeting of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE).
※By maintaining a high degree of protection of critical infrastructures and increasing our resilience against threats and hazards, we can minimize the loss of human life and of services to society as a whole§, he said.
CTED was addressing the 15th Regular Session of CICTE, held on 19 and 20 March 2015 at the Headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, D.C.
※CTED welcomes the renewed commitment of CICTE member States in this area and encourages CICTE to share with other States and other regions of the world the good practices identified and developed§, added Mr. Chen.
Representatives of the 34 OAS member States explored ways and means to prevent terrorist and other criminal attacks on physical infrastructure, including tourism and recreational facilities, as well as critical digital communications infrastructure.
Through its development and implementation of capacity-building projects and programmes, CICTE is a key partner of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and CTED in their work to ensure full implementation of Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005).
CTED is required by the Security Council to monitor Member States＊ counter-terrorism efforts, facilitate delivery of required technical assistance, advise Member States on the development of comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism strategies, and promote the sharing of good counter-terrorism practices.