UN approves creation of new office on counter-terrorism

United Nations, June 16

The UN General Assembly has approved the establishment of a new office to coordinate counter-terrorism efforts, a move welcomed by India as a “much awaited first step” that will align the world body with needs of the global community in the fight against the menace.
The 193-member General Assembly adopted a consensus resolution yesterday creating the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism that will be headed by an Under-Secretary-General.
India welcomed the creation of the new UN counter- terrorism office, saying it demonstrates the importance member states place on collective and coordinated action on terrorism, which remains the most complex threat faced by the international community.
“India believes that the creation of the Office of Counter Terrorism Coordinator is a much awaited first step in our efforts to enhance coordination of the UN’s CT (counter- terrorism) efforts,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said in the General Assembly after the resolution’s adoption.
He said the office’s creation “will align the UN with the changed global reality and needs of the international community” as was articulated by Secretary General Antonio Guterres himself in Kabul where he said support to terrorism entails a high price.
Addressing reporters in Kabul, Guterres had warned that any country that supports terrorism anywhere in the world in relation to other countries, “sooner or later the price paid will be high in relations to terrorism within the country itself”.
Welcoming the creation of the counter-terrorism office, Guterres expressed hope that this reform of the UN counter- terrorism architecture will contribute to the world body’s broader efforts to promote conflict prevention, sustainable peace and development.
Akbaruddin noted that “an all of UN” approach and a certain convening power on counter-terrorism issues will be crucial for the new office to fulfil its functions effectively. He said terrorist organisations are not bound by the borders, norms, legal frameworks and bureaucratic inertia that bind nations as member states and the UN at all levels.