Abdulla Alajeeli, Second Secretary
Unofficial Translation
Madam Chair,
I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to you on your assumption of the chairmanship of the Sixth Committee, and to wish you and the members of your team success in leading the work of the Committee.
Madam Chair,
Terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to international peace and security, given the ability of terrorist groups and individual actors to develop their methods and adapt to changes, and to exploit conflicts, instability and rapid technological developments. This requires developing the necessary legal and policy frameworks and strengthening international cooperation to prevent and counter this evolving threat.
In this context, the UAE stresses the importance of building on the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which, twenty years after its adoption, continues to represent a unique global framework that unites Member States around a common commitment to preventing and countering terrorist activities. Although Member States did not reach consensus on substantive amendments to the Strategy during the ninth review, my country stresses the importance of focusing on its effective implementation and strengthening international cooperation to keep pace with evolving threats and challenges.
At the same time, my country believes that confronting these threats cannot be limited to security measures alone, but must include addressing the factors exploited by extremist and terrorist groups to recruit individuals and spread their ideas. This requires a comprehensive preventive approach based on strengthening the resilience of societies, investing in education and empowering young people, and promoting the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in efforts to prevent extremism and counter terrorism.
Such an approach must also promote tolerance, peaceful coexistence, dialogue, the rule of law and respect for human rights, and counter hate speech and violence. We also need to prevent and counter sources of funding for terrorist activities and counter methods used to attract and recruit individuals, as well as inciting rhetoric.
My country also stresses the importance of drying up the sources of terrorist financing and countering the misuse of virtual assets and modern technologies, including artificial intelligence and digital platforms, for the purposes of recruitment, incitement, financing and planning of terrorist acts. In this regard, we stress the importance of strengthening partnerships with the private sector and technology companies to counter the misuse of these tools and platforms for terrorist purposes.
We also stress the importance of accountability and preventing impunity by strengthening legal and judicial cooperation among States, including the exchange of information and mutual legal assistance, in order to ensure that such crimes are effectively investigated and those responsible are prosecuted and brought to justice, in accordance with obligations under international law.
The UAE continues to support international and multilateral efforts in this field. This year, my country pledged financial support to the Global Counterterrorism Forum in the amount of 500,000 euros for 2027, in addition to an annual financial contribution of 300,000 dollars starting in 2028, stressing the importance of international partnerships and collective action in confronting terrorism.
During the fourth United Nations Counter-Terrorism Week, the UAE participated actively and, in partnership with a number of countries and international partners, organized two events on the future of artificial intelligence in counter-terrorism and countering the use of unmanned aerial systems by terrorist groups. My country also highlighted the Abu Dhabi Guiding Principles on the use of unmanned aerial systems for terrorist purposes and the importance of translating them into practical and concrete steps.
Madam Chair,
My country reiterates the importance of moving forward with work on the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. Despite the frameworks and treaties in place, there is still a need for a comprehensive international framework that strengthens the international legal system and contributes to addressing existing gaps. In this regard, the UAE affirms its readiness to work with all Member States to bring positions closer together and address outstanding issues, in order to contribute to progress towards the conclusion of the Convention.
In this spirit, the UAE will continue to support the efforts of the United Nations and work with Member States and international partners to promote an effective and coordinated international response, and achieve our common goal of eliminating international terrorism and building a safer and more peaceful world for all.
Thank you, Madam Chair