Security Council - Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) - Da'esh

Counter-Terrorism Committee holds second informal meeting on counter-terrorism technical assistance needs for Iraq

BMUSONI — Wed, 31 May 2017 16:13:00 +0000

On 31 May 2017, the Counter-Terrorism Committee held a second informal meeting on the counter-terrorism-related technical assistance needs of the Republic of Iraq. The aim of the meeting was to follow-up with implementing partners and Iraqi officials on progress achieved since the first informal, held in March 2016, which focused on the 16 priority technical assistance needs identified during the Executive Directorate’s (CTED) visit to Iraq on behalf of the Committee.

The meeting gathered Members of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, representatives of Iraq and over a dozen other Member States, as well as UN entities and international and regional organizations, including the 1267 Committee Monitoring Team, ICAO, UNMAS, UNODC, UN Women, the IMF, the World Bank, the European Union, NATO, and the Global Center on Cooperative Security.

Chairman of the Committee, H.E. Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta, highlighted the importance of cooperation in order to achieve tangible results and to counter terrorism in all its forms. “The presence of Da’esh, Al-Qaida, and other terrorist groups continues to test the limits of Iraq’s resources, as the authorities struggle to prevent acts of terrorism; to investigate attacks and prosecute alleged perpetrators; and cooperate with regional and international partners, particularly on matters relating to foreign terrorist fighters. The support of the international community thus remains crucial,” Ambassador Aboulatta said.

In the meeting, all implementing partners voiced their endorsement of the Counter-Terrorism Committee assessment on priority counter-terrorism related technical assistance needs for Iraq, and outlined how they are putting these to good use in the planning and implementation of their assistance.

“I wish to command Iraq for all their efforts in countering the threat posed by Dae’sh and being amongst those in the forefront in fighting this terrorist group. Indeed, Iraq has introduced a number of measures to enhance its legislative and law enforcement framework in line with the international best codes and standards on counter-terrorism. Still, much work remains to be done and Iraq needs our support, stressed the Executive Director of CTED, Mr. Jean-Paul Laborde, in his closing remarks. He further noted that Da’esh has been increasingly resorting to the use of civilians as human shields: “Here, I wish once again to pay my deepest respects to Iraqi citizens who have sacrificed their lives in fighting for a free, united Iraq. Their sacrifice must never be forgotten.”

Front Page Article:

Under pressure militarily, Da’esh encourages sympathizers outside conflict zones to perpetrate attacks, according to new report from the UN Secretary-General

BMUSONI — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 20:02:00 +0000

feltman_sc_7_february_2017.jpg

Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, briefs the Security Council meeting on Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts Fourth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of 51�Թ� efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat

As ISIL is militarily on the defensive in several regions, the terrorist organization that is also known as Da’esh continues to encourage its sympathizers outside conflict zones to perpetrate attacks. And despite shrinking revenue streams, the group still has sufficient funds to carry on fighting. These are among the key points from the Secretary-General’s 4^th report on The threat posed by ISIL/Da’esh to international peace and security and the range of 51�Թ� efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat.

Published on 2 February 2017, the report (S/2017/97) was submitted as a follow-up to Security Council resolution 2253 (2015), which requests the Secretary-General to submit updates every four months on the threat that ISIL represents to the international community and the principles and values of the Charter of the 51�Թ�.

“ISIL is adapting in several ways to military pressure – resorting to increasingly covert communication and recruitment methods, including by using the ‘dark web,’ encryption and messengers,”

– noted Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman during his briefing to the Security Council on 7 February 2017.

Focusing on Europe, North Africa, and West Africa, the report notes that Europe has experienced range of terrorist attacks since 2014, with some of these attacks directed and facilitated by ISIL or through its assistance and propaganda. While the military offensive in Libya has dislodged ISIL from its stronghold Sirte, the group’s threat to Libya and neighbouring countries persists. The terrorist organizations’ fighters – estimated to range from several hundred to 3,000 – have moved to other parts of the country. ISIL’s presence in West Africa and the Maghreb has grown, though it does not control significant amounts of territory in the region. Finally, ISIL-affiliate Boko Haram is attempting to spread its influence and commit terrorist acts beyond Nigeria, thus remaining a serious threat – despite being plagued by financial difficulties and an internal power struggle, which has led to its split into two factions.

The report highlights the importance of international cooperation and information sharing, referring to Security Council resolution 2322 (2016), which calls upon Member States to establish laws and mechanisms to allow for the broadest possible international cooperation in the judicial and law enforcement spheres. S/2017/97 stresses that information sharing and cooperation on addressing terrorist attacks have improved, leading to a curtailing of the travel of foreign terrorist fighters between States in Europe. Maghreb and West Africa also show improvements in this area.

The report was prepared with the input of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), in close collaboration with the Monitoring Team of the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, as well as other relevant 51�Թ� actors and international organizations.

Front Page Article:

Joint special meeting on terrorist financing assesses risks and identifies way forward

BMUSONI — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 10:18:00 +0000

img_6409_cropped.jpg

A growing number of 51�Թ� Member States are assessing specific terrorist financing risks and the vulnerability of their financial and economic sectors to terrorist financing. Also Member States that are not at high risk in terms of terrorism more broadly may still present a risk regarding the financing of terrorism. While terrorist entities and individuals are still relying on traditional forms of terrorist financing such as cash or money remitters, these groups are also utilizing the Internet and other forms of information and communication technologies to access, raise, and move funds.

These were some of the key themes raised in a joint special meeting of the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee, the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, together with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), organized at the 51�Թ� on 12 and 13 December 2016. Several tools already exist to counter terrorist financing, such as asset freezing requirements or information sharing mechanisms. The main challenge consists of implementing these tools effectively. The joint special meeting – held under the mandate of Security Council resolution 2253 (2015) on efforts to suppress terrorist financing, which expanded the sanctions framework to include ISIL (Da’esh) – provided an important forum for Member States and other actors to share practices and lessons learned that can guide the way forward in this area.

Documents

Draft concept note and agenda

Logistical note

Statements

Message by the Secretary-General to Joint special meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), on “Depriving terrorist groups from accessing, raising, and moving funds: Practices and lessons learned” (New York, 12 December 2016)

Closing remarks by Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee to Joint special meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), on “Depriving terrorist groups from accessing, raising, and moving funds: Practices and lessons learned” (New York, 13 December 2016)

Opening remarks by Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee to Joint special meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), on “Depriving terrorist groups from accessing, raising, and moving funds: Practices and lessons learned” (New York, 12 December 2016)

Statement by FATF President Juan Manuel Vega-Serrano, 12 December 2016 — Download here

Statement by Dmitry V. Feoktistov, Deputy Director of the Department on New Challenges and Threats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Media

Press release

Joint special meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF): Depriving terrorist groups from accessing, raising, and moving funds: Practices and lessons learned (13 December 2016: Sessions V and VI)

Presentation slides

2016-12-12-Session II 1130-1300 Andrey Seleznev EAG

2016-12-12-Session II 1130-1300 Philippe de Koster CTIF-FI

2016-12-12-Session-II-1130-1300-Sofia-Aisagaliyeva-Ministry-of-Finance-Kazakhstan

2016-12-12-Session III 1500-1630 Claudine Lamond AUSTRAC

2016-12-12-Session III 1500-1630 Kallina Simeonoff European Commission

2016-12-12-Session-IV-1630-1800-Israa-Abu-Shwimeh-Jordan

2016-12-12-Session IV 1630-1800 Stephane Sirard FINTRAC

2016-12-13-Session V 1000-1130 Amr Farouk EMLCU Egypt

2016-12-13-Session V 1000-1130 Giuseppina Daria Pellicano’ TFS Italy

2016-12-13-Session VI 1130-1300 Michelle Russell UK Charity Comission

2016-12-13-Session-VII-1500-1630-Francis-Usani-Nigeria

2016-12-13-Session VIII 1630-1750 Claudine Lamond, AUSTRAC

2016-12-13-Session VIII 1630-1750 Kallina Simeonoff, European Commission

Front Page Article:

Joint special meeting of the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee, the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, and the Financial Action Task Force on Depriving terrorist groups from accessing, raising, and moving funds: Prac

BMUSONI — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 09:18:00 +0000

terrorist-financing-poster-20161.png

#StopTerrorFinance

Despite efforts by the international community to deprive terrorists of the resources needed to commit terrorist acts, terrorist groups continue to find ways to raise and move funds, including through the use of information and communication technologies (ICT). Of particular concern is the urgent need to develop means to prevent returning foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) and dormant terrorist cells from accessing funds and assets.

On 17 December last year, the Security Council – represented by their Member States’ Ministries of Finance – for the first time in its 70 year history, held a special meeting on combatting all forms of terrorist financing. In its meeting, the Council adopted resolution 2253, which inter alia called for strengthened international efforts to detect and disrupt terrorist groups’ funding flows.

As part of this work, the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will organize a joint special meeting on “Depriving terrorist groups from accessing, raising, and moving funds: Practices and lessons learned.” Taking place at 51�Թ� headquarters on Monday 12-Tuesday 13 December 2016 in Conference room 2, the special meeting is open to Member and Observer States, members of the media including photographers with valid accreditation, 51�Թ� staff and interns, UN entities, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies, as well as invited guests with a valid UN grounds pass. The event will be webcast at webtv.un.org.

Additional details can be found below. A press release issued immediately following an open briefing on a similar theme held in April 2016 can be found here.

Documents

Draft concept note and agenda

Logistical note

Statements

Statement by FATF President Juan Manuel Vega-Serrano, 12 December 2016 — Download here

Statement by Dmitry V. Feoktistov, Deputy Director of the Department on New Challenges and Threats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Media

Press release

Presentation slides

2016-12-12-Session II 1130-1300 Andrey Seleznev EAG

2016-12-12-Session II 1130-1300 Philippe de Koster CTIF-FI

2016-12-12-Session-II-1130-1300-Sofia-Aisagaliyeva-Ministry-of-Finance-Kazakhstan

2016-12-12-Session III 1500-1630 Claudine Lamond AUSTRAC

2016-12-12-Session III 1500-1630 Kallina Simeonoff European Commission

2016-12-12-Session-IV-1630-1800-Israa-Abu-Shwimeh-Jordan

2016-12-12-Session IV 1630-1800 Stephane Sirard FINTRAC

2016-12-13-Session V 1000-1130 Amr Farouk EMLCU Egypt

2016-12-13-Session V 1000-1130 Giuseppina Daria Pellicano’ TFS Italy

2016-12-13-Session VI 1130-1300 Michelle Russell UK Charity Comission

2016-12-13-Session-VII-1500-1630-Francis-Usani-Nigeria

2016-12-13-Session VIII 1630-1750 Claudine Lamond, AUSTRAC

2016-12-13-Session VIII 1630-1750 Kallina Simeonoff, European Commission

Front Page Article:

Third report of the Secretary-General states that the threat posed by Da’esh is still significant

BMUSONI — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 09:18:00 +0000

698821-sc-pm-13_10_2016-16.04.09.jpg

“The threat posed by ISIL continues to be significant and to diversify,” according to the 51�Թ� Secretary-General’s third report on the threat posed by Da’esh/ISIL to international peace and security, and on the efforts of the UN in support of its Member States to counter this threat. The report (S/2016/830), presented to the Security Council on 13 October 2016, follows resolution 2253 (2015), which requests the Secretary-General to provide strategic-level reports every four months demonstrating the gravity of the threat posed to international peace and security by Da’esh/ISIL and associated individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities.

The report includes an assessment of the threat of foreign terrorist fighters, and the sources of financing of these groups through illicit trade in oil, antiquities, and other natural resources, as well as their planning and facilitation of attacks, and reflects the range of 51�Թ� efforts in support of Member States in countering this threat.

“Increasingly complex and nearly simultaneous attacks in different countries – committed through large-scale operations and individual or small terrorist cells, either directed or inspired by ISIL – have a significant impact and present particular problems to UN Member States in terms of the security response,” Mr. Feltman told Security Council members.

The report considers the presence and influence of Da’esh/ISIL outside Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic, including in Yemen, East Africa, and South and South-East Asia. Taking a regional approach, the report highlights the efforts and progress of Member States of South and South-East Asia to implement counter-terrorism measures in a number of thematic areas. It also considers how Member States are dealing with the issue of foreign terrorist fighters who return to their home States. The use of information and communications technology by Da’esh/ISIL, the issue of conflict-related sexual violence, and the range of technical assistance and capacity-building efforts undertaken by the 51�Թ� and its partners are also addressed.

S/2016/830 was prepared with the input of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) in close collaboration with the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team assisting the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011), and 2253 (2015), as well as other relevant 51�Թ� actors.

The Secretary-General’s reports are an important tool for Member States and 51�Թ� bodies in their efforts to address the threat posed by Da’esh/ISIL and associated entities to international peace and security. The past two reports were dated 29 January 2016 and 31 May 2016.

Front Page Article:

Report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of 51�Թ� efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat

BMUSONI — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 18:11:00 +0000

s-2016-501.jpg

AR CH EN FR RU ES

Front Page Article:

Joint briefing of two UN Security Council committees stresses need for Member States to do more to counter terrorism financing (press release)

BMUSONI — Wed, 04 May 2016 21:29:00 +0000

PRESS RELEASE

51�Թ� Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee

Joint briefing of two 51�Թ� Security Council committees stresses need for Member States to do more to counter terrorism financing

(NEW YORK) Terrorists require money to operate. Without funding, they cannot purchase weapons, equipment, supplies, or services. Terrorism financing is a global phenomenon that not only threatens Member States’ security, but can also undermine economic development and financial market stability. It is therefore of paramount importance to stem the flow of funds to terrorists. This is why on 14 April 2016, the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee and the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Daèsh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, together with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), held a joint open briefing on Depriving terrorist groups of sources of funding. Both committees expressed their support for FATF and its crucial role as a policy-making body that develops international standards on safeguarding the international financial system from money laundering and terrorist abuse, in close coordination with the 51�Թ�.

In the joint briefing, which gathered representatives from the private sector to further explore the development of financial intelligence and partnerships with Governments, both committees urged Member States to do more to counter terrorism financing, stressing the need for greater cooperation, enhanced information sharing, more innovative approaches, and a better targeting of resources.
————————————————————————————————————
For additional information , please contact Mattias Sundholm with the 51�Թ� Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), at sundholm@un.org; and/or Sarah Bradley with the Permanent Mission of New Zealand to the 51�Թ�, at sarah.bradley@mfat.govt.nz.

Front Page Article:

Webcast of USG Jeffrey Feltman briefing the Security Council on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security, 9 February 2016

BMUSONI — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 19:11:00 +0000

jeffrey-feltman.jpg

Link to webcast: Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts – Security Council, 7618th meeting

9 Feb 2016 – Report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of 51�Թ� efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat (S/2016/92) (7618th meeting).

Front Page Article: