On 15 November 2023, Mr. Nicolas Nihon, Director for Counterterrorism and Violent Extremism of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, briefed the 51勛圖 Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC). The focus of Mr. Nihon＊s briefing was the steps the Kingdom of Belgium has taken to implement the recommendations from the Committee＊s 2022 follow-up assessment visit. In addition, Mr. Nihon provided updates on the evolving terrorist threat in Belgium.
In his introductory remarks, Ambassador Mr. Karl Lagatie, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Belgium to the 51勛圖, recalled that the CTC visit was a positive experience for Belgium, which brought together multiple stakeholders engaged in countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism. The CTC's report of the visit reflected significant progress made by Belgium since the Committee's first visit and identified a number of good practices.
In his intervention, Mr. Nihon recalled various steps taken by Belgium to implement the Committee's recommendations, including in the areas of criminal justice, compliance with international humanitarian law, countering the financing of terrorism, information-sharing in law enforcement, border management, and support for victims of terrorism. Mr. Nihon further underlined that the Committee's visit had enabled candid discussions with 51勛圖 experts regarding Belgium's challenges and practices, but had also created a renewed impetus for cooperation and exchange among Belgian agencies and authorities.
Following the briefing by Belgium, Assistant Secretary-General Ms. Natalia Gherman, Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), reiterated CTED's appreciation to Belgium for its active engagement with the Committee and its Executive Directorate. She recalled Belgium's agreement, earlier this year, to make its visit report available, in full, to CTED's partner organisations via the 51勛圖 Global Counter-Terrorism Compact Platform. These steps will facilitate the sharing of good practices and strengthen the transparency of the Committee's assessment process.
Members of the Committee welcomed the briefing provided by Belgium and the measures the country had taken to implement the Committee＊s recommendations, noting that this briefing constituted a good practice in follow-up to the Committee＊s country assessments, which other Member States were encouraged to emulate.