National and Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategies: Insights and Practical Lessons Learned, Including through Strengthening Prevention and PCVE (Counter-Terrorism Week Side Event)

All right.
Thank you very much.
Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon and welcome to the side event on national and regional counterterrorism strategies, insights and practical lessons learned, including through strengthening prevention and PCVE.
It's my pleasure to moderate today's morning session, which brings together representatives of member states, United Nations bodies, and regional organizations to exchange practical experiences in developing and implementing comprehensive, integrated and human rights compliant counterterrorism and PCVE strategies.
This event provides a valuable opportunity to share lessons learned, highlight effective partnerships, and identify good practices that can support member states and strengthen their national and regional approaches in line with the United Nations Global counterterrorism strategy, as well as the relevant Security Council resolutions.
I would now like to invite our distinguished speakers to deliver their opening remark, starting with His Excellcy, Mr.
Vipa High GF permanent Representative of Turkmenistan.
You have the floor, sir.
Thank you very much.
Your Excellency, dear colleagues, Turkmenistan is honored to co organize this important side event dedicated to national and regional counterterrorism strategies and the practical lessons learned in strengthening prevention and preventing and countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism.
We would like to express our appreciation to other organizers, the Permanent Mission of Finland, the Council of Europe, the OEC CDA, and UN OCT for bringing together national, regional and international perspectives, no one of the most pressing security challenges of our time.
For Turkmenistan, preventing terrorism and violent extremism remains a strategic national priority closely linked to our policy of permanent neutrality, preventive diplomacy and regional cooperation.
We firmly believe that sustainable security cannot be achieved through reactive measures alone.
It requires early prevention, resilience building, and addressing conditions conductive to radicalization and violent extremism.
In this regard, Turkmenistan continues to implement its national strategy and action plan on countering terrorism, which places particular emphasis on prevention, community resilience, border security, protection of critical infrastructure, and strengthening institutional capacities.
Our national ownership and the whole of government approach remain the guiding principles of our efforts.
In Turkmenistan, local authorities play an important role in preventing terrorism and violent extremism through community outreach, early identification of vulnerabilities, and support for social resilience at the local level.
The assessment visit conducted by Cité to Turkmenistan in December 2024, represented an important milestone in evaluating our progress and identifying opportunities for further strengthening our national framework.
We highly value Cité practical recommendations and its approach based on partnership, dialogue, and respect for national priorities.
At the regional level, Central Asia has developed one of the most advanced cooperative frameworks for implementing the United Nations global counterterrorism strategy.
The updated joint plan of action for the implementation of the global strategy in Central Asia adopted in 2022, continues to provide an effective platform for collective responses to evolving threats and emerging challenges.
Within this framework, Turkmenistan considered the counterterrorism Early Warning Network for Central Asia as one of the region's most significant achievements, established in cooperation with the UNOCT and the United Nations Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia.
The network brings together national focal points, UN entities, research institutions, and experts to strengthen information sharing, strategic foresight, and coordinated responses to potential threats.
For our region, early warning is not simply a technical exercise.
It's a practical extension of preventive diplomacy and one of the most effective instruments for preventing crisis before they emerge.
Timely identification of risks allows governments and international partners to act proactively, reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening resilience against terrorism and violent extremism.
The experience of Central Asia demonstrates that investments in prevention are considerably more effective and less costly than responding to crisis after they occur.
This conviction is reflected in Turkmenistan's voluntary contribution, contributions to United Nations counterterrorism activities, including support for regional early warning initiatives and preventive programs.
At the same time, we believe that the successful experience of Central Asia offers valuable lessons beyond our region.
Existing regional early warning mechanisms should increasingly cooperate, exchange expertise, and share best practices, contributing to the creation of a more coherent global preventive architecture and the United Nations leadership.
Turkmenistan also attached particular importance to the work of the United Nations Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia in Ash Kabat, which for almost two decades has demonstrated the effectiveness of dialogue, confidence building, and preventive engagement in strengthening regional security and stability.
As terrorist threats continue to evolve and become increasingly transnational Our response must also become more preventive, more cooperative, and more forward looking.
Turkmenistan remains firmly committed to working with the United Nations, CTE, UNOCT, OECC and all interested partners to strengthen prevention, advance early warning capacities to promote comprehensive approach to preventing violent extremism and terrorism.
We remain convinced that sustainable security is built not in moments of crisis, but through continuous dialogue, mutual trust, and timely preventive action.
I for his opening remarks and give the floor now to Mr.
Alexandra Zuf acting under Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism.
You have the floor, sir.
Thank you, Chair.
Your Excellency, Mr.
Appa Hadeev, permanent representative of Turkmenistan and to the United Nations.
Your Excellency, Executive Director of Cité Madame Natalia Guilerman, Excellency's ambassadors, distinguished colleagues.
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to this side event, which brings together a wide range of perspectives to reflect on national and regional counterterrorism strategies and critically how to translate them into a meaningful and sustainable action.
First of all, I would like to join Ambassador Hajv and begin my statement by expressing UNIC appreciation to all core organizers, specifically permanent missions of Finland and Turkmenistan, to the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe.
The Counterterrorism Committee Executive Director, which I already mentioned, cited and the United Nations Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, UNRCCA, which was already mentioned by Ambassador Hadif.
We know that it's based in Ashabat but covers the whole of Central Asia.
This partnership reflects the multilateral multilevel cooperation that underpins effective counterterrorism efforts.
In this regard, and I would like to especially highlight, not because I'm sitting next to the executive director, longstanding and excellent cooperation between no C and Citat on national but also on regional counterterrorism strategies.
Since 2012, we have jointly delivered support through the UN Counterterrorism Center for the development of regional strategy and action plans in Central Asia, also in the Caribbean, Southern Africa, and Western Central Africa.
This work is further strengthened through the UN Global Counterterrorism Coordination Compact, wheresat is chair and my office UniST is vice chair of the National and Regional Counterterrorism Strategies or NRS working group.
The working group has served as a platform for mobilizing expertise from across the United Nations system in advising member states.
Of course, the blueprint at heart of these efforts is the United Nations global counterterrorism strategy, which we hope will be approved in two days from now by member states in its new ninth edition already.
Of course, the blueprint of these also stays in the Secretary-General guidance and you've heard this morning how the Secretary-General Gutierrez addressed all delegations attending our high level city week and I sent it on your behalf.
I sent him.
I mean, I believe it was important to have him in person for our exercise.
Complementing the strategy, the Bota principles of 2013 updated through the Vala principles of 2025, reinforced the importance of moving beyond traditional security responses to encompass prevention, including by addressing the conditions conducive to terrorism.
Our experience in Central Asia illustrates how global frameworks can be translated into practical action at the regional and country specific level.
In partnership with UNRCTA UNOCT supported the development of the joint plan of action for the implementation of the global counterterrorism strategy in Central Asia, which was endorsed in 2011, but later on updated in 2022.
Building on this milestone, UNIC has supported the formulation of the national strategies of Turkmenistan and Tajikistan and is currently supporting Kuzbekistan.
I just met a high level delegation from Uuzbekistan in my office for bilateral and we discussed this issue.
They definitely appreciate very much all support which they get from the UN system and especially from UNRCCA colleagues.
In the preparation of its next strategy.
Against this backdrop, the focus of today's event is on how to move from strategy into effective implementation.
Allow me to highlight only three key considerations.
First of all, national ownership.
Durable progress depends on strategies that are legislated, resourced domestically, and led by national institutions.
International support is most effective when it's strengthened and does not substitute for these national commitments and efforts.
Secondly, we need inclusive and coordinated approaches, whole of government and a whole of society engagement, including youth organization, civil society, human rights organization, and all different academia, of course, remain essential, requiring clear coordination mechanism, defined roles, resources, and also accountability.
Third, and last, adaptability.
The evolving threat landscape, including the use of new and emerging technology requires strategies that are flexible and forward looking.
I hope that today's exchange will provide additional practical insights and will summarize lessons learned that can reinforce our collective efforts in supporting member states who have the primary responsibility, as you remember, for the implementation of the global counterterrorism strategy of the United Nations.
Thank you very much for your attention.
Back to you.
Thank you, Mr.
Alexander Zuf acting Under Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter Trosm for his opening remarks.
I hand the floor now kindly to miss Natalia Gaerman, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the counterterrorism Committee, Execut Director.
You have the floor.
Thank you very much.
Dear Mr.
Moderator.
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
I would very much like to greet all of you on behalf of the Counter Terroriist Committee Executive Directorate and thank in particular, our dear co organizers, Turkmenistan, Your Excellency Permanent representative Vpkingvi Hajv, Your Excellency, the ambassador of Finland, our dear co organizer.
Your Excellency, United Nations Office of Counterterrorism Act under Secretary-General, Mr.
Aleksandar Zoyv, my dear colleagues from the Council of Europe, John Lucas Psito head of the Human Rights Unit, and also Faso representing the Transnational Threats Department of the OSCE.
I cannot but mention my dear colleagues from the United Nations Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, the team that I was so privileged to lead.
For more than five years in the region.
Thank you very much to all of you.
I also see my dear colleagues, Mau chair, the Deputy Prosecutor from Tajikistan with whom we share a lot of fond memories of working on the National Counterterrorism Strategy of Tajikistan for its several iterations.
Colleagues, pleasure to welcome you to this important discussion on national and regional counterterrorism strategies and the practical lessons we continue to learn from their development and implementation.
At a time when the global threat landscape is becoming increasingly complex, one lesson has emerged clearly from CTT work on behalf of the counterterroriist Committee.
There is no sustainable counterterrorism response without a strategy, as clear as that.
Terrorist groups continue to adapt, they exploit instability, technological change, online spaces, and local grievances.
In response, our efforts cannot be fragmented or reactive.
Effective counterterrorism requires a clear vision, share priorities, and coordinated action across governmental institutions and society as a whole.
This is precisely why comprehensive national and regional counterterrorism strategies matter.
When designed inclusively and implemented effectively, they provide far more than a policy framework, informed by relevant Security Council resolutions and the non binding Valletta principles now on national and regional counterterrorism strategies.
They can become mechanisms that bring together security institutions, local authorities, civil society, women, youth, and communities around a common objective, protecting people while upholding human rights, the rule of law, and the values that terrorism seeks to undermine.
Over the years, CETAT has had the privilege of visiting member states across every region of the world.
Through our assessment visits and sustained dialogue with national authorities, we have witnessed remarkable progresses.
An increasing number of states are embracing integrated approaches that recognize prevention, resilience, and human rights as indispensable pillars of effective and sustainable counterterrorism.
I'm particularly pleased to see many of these states represented here today, of course, including our co organizers, Turkmenistan and Finland.
Together with other member states and regional organizations, they bring experiences that are invaluable to us.
These lessons reaffirm an important truth.
Developing a strategy is only the beginning.
The real challenge and opportunity lies in translating strategy into sustainable implementation, fostering inclusive partnerships, delivering measurable impact, and continuously adapting to evolving threats.
No country has all the answers, which is precisely why exchanges such as today's are so important.
In this regard, I would like also to recognize again the contributions of our partners across the United Nations system, including NOCT and NR CCA.
As well as our close regional partners, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe, whom I sincerely thank for preparing, co sponsoring, and conducting together this side event.
Ultimately, our goal is not only to produce better strategies.
It is to build more resilient societies, strengthen trust between institutions and communities, and prevent terrorism and violent extremism before they take root.
I thank our co organizers and all the distinguished speakers, and I look forward to a rich and productive discussions.
Thank you.
Executive Director for her opening remarks.
I give the floor now to Mr.
Jean Luca, Esposito Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law at the Council of Europe.
You have the floor, sir.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much, Mr.
Chair.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, your partners, good afternoon and welcome to this side event as well from our side.
Allow me to start as the previous speakers, by warmly thanking our co organizers here, of course, Turkmenistan and Finland, but also our UN friends from the UN Office of counterterrorism and CTA and of course, the OSC.
Let me be very brief.
Time is short, making five main points that we have learned from our decades long work in the area of counterterrorism.
The first one is that to successfully counter terrorism, we need a wider engagement with and from society as a whole, one that builds societal individual resilience to radicalization and violence.
This engagement must be rooted in the core democratic values in human rights and in the rule of law.
The second lesson that we've learned is that in countering terrorism and violent extremism effectively, enforcement action alone is not enough.
It must be complemented with education, disengagement, and assistance to victims.
The third lessons that we've learned is that a detailed knowledge of terrorism and extremism context and development is actually key.
For example, this has helped us in shaping standards that address the increased involvement of violent far right in terrorism, the principle of disengagement and social reintegration programs for women and children, and more recently, the work that led the Council of Europe to develop the first pan European definition of terrorism.
Increased involvement of youth in terrorism and violent extremism across Europe will certainly impact the formulation of our own counterterrorism strategy.
The fourth lessons that we've learned is that we need strategies to adapt to rapidly evolving needs.
To achieve that at the Council of Europe, our strategies are time capped, they contain mandatory periodic reviews of progress, and they are able also to adjust to evolving priorities and evolving needs.
My fifth and last point is one that relates to the work of our member states, 46 member states in the Council of Europe.
We work with them very closely, especially with practitioners who have hands on knowledge of the day to day challenges of dealing with terrorism.
This approach has ensured all of us to make informed decisions, but also take into account different perspectives that we have across our member states.
We remain committed to work with not only our member states, but also with our partners to support prevention and enforcement actions against terrorism.
I want to thank you again for the invitation.
Thanks a lot.
Esposito for his opening remark.
I understand you have a plane to catch in New York, so I wish you safe services.
Thank you very much.
Thanks to the Council of Europe, of course, for their cooperation with OSC and other partners.
I now give the floor to Mr.
Fizi Neumanz, Officer in charge of Deputy Head of anti terrorism Is Action Against Terrorism Unit of OSC.
You have the floor, sir.
Thank you, Chair.
Your Excellency's distinguished representatives, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to join the other esteemed speakers in welcoming you to this joint side event co organized with our partners from Turkmenistan, Finland, the UN Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate Committee, CTT, the UN Office of Counterterrorism, UN OCT, and the Council of Europe, through which we wish to underline the important role of international organizations in turning global commitments into practical impact on the ground.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe serves its 57 participating states and 11 partners for cooperation through political dialogue and trust building.
We are mandated to support the participating states in aligning their national counterterrorism strategies with global counterterrorism frameworks and OSC commitments by ensuring that human rights and security remain mutually reinforcing.
As it has been stated, the threat landscape is evolving rapidly with the misuse of technologies for terrorist purposes being a dominant feature and which will continue to be so in the years to come.
It is for that reason that one of the core priorities of the current OSHR partnership, Switzerland is about anticipating technologies for a safe and humane future.
As of 2026, the OSE has supported all Central Asian participating states as well as key jurisdictions in Southeastern Europe in developing their counterterrorism strategies and in the design of learning programs emanating from these strategies on a range of thematic areas in order to bridge the gap between policy and practice.
Upon the requests of the republics of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, we have recently provided legal analysis, advice, and feedback on their draft counterterrorism strategies.
We are working together with our government partners and civil society in Central Asia on media and information literacy trainings and on the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence, work that only continues to grow in importance in Central Asia and beyond.
One of the main lessons we have learned throughout the support process to the participating states in the design of their national counterterrorism strategies is that for evolving threats to be addressed comprehensively and effectively, counterterrorism strategies must uphold human rights and remain inclusive through broad and meaningful consultations with civil society and now including more and more with the private sector.
This only reflects the global counterterrorism commitments and other non binding principles such as the recently adopted Valeta principles.
Besides our strategic cooperation with government institutions and civil society, I would be remiss not to mention another cornerstone of our work, which is our collaboration with international partners.
Beyond sharing good practices, we regularly combine expertise in the field, such as through the joint country assessment visits of CETAT.
These visits are an important instrument to help identify how national frameworks align with international standards and moreover, where further support is needed.
Under the leadership of UN OCT, we cooperate with our Central Asian partners on the rehabilitation and reintegration of returnees in the framework of the Regional Expert Council, which is now a homegrown initiative in Central Asia.
We also work with the governments in the region to enhance the operational capacities of frontline border officers to prevent and respond to cross border security threats, including the movement of foreign terrorist fighters.
The OSE and the Council of Europe continue their successful cooperation in a number of workstreams complementing each other's standing bodies and initiatives.
This is visible in the annual high level exchanges we have either in Vienna or in Strasbourg and in the work of the Council of Europe's Committee on counterterrorism and the committee of experts on the evaluation of anti money laundering money value to both of which the OSE contributes in an observer capacity.
I would like to once again thank all our participating states for their trust and cooperation, as well as our excellent partners, CETA, UN OCT, and the Council of Europe and looking forward to engaging discussions today.
Thank you very much.
Back to you, Chair.
Thank you very much.
Fizi from OEE for his partnership and for his opening remarks.
Thank you to our distinguished speakers for setting the scene.
We now turn to the second session where we will hear directly from member states that have worked closely with the counterterrosm Committee Executive Directorate and other UN partners in the development, implementation or review of the national counterterrorism strategy and PCB strategies.
These presentations will offer practical insights into national experiences, including successes, challenges, and lessons learned in translating strategic objectives into effective policies and coordinated action.
They will also illustrate the value of international cooperation and peer learning in strengthening comprehensive and integrated counterterrorism framework.
I kindly invite each speaker to limit their intervention to approximately two to 3 minutes so that we can hear from all participating delegations.
As you all know, we will be putting these presentations online on the website or designee for the side event.
Last point to mention to other member states present, we have changed the seating to me reserve for other member states sitting in the back, please feel free to sit at the table if you so wish.
With that, I would like to give the floor to our organizer, Finland, Masaria Makinn, Head of Department of Police Department, Ministry of Interior from the Republic of Finland.
It's great to see you.
Chair.
Your Excellency's distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
F has been carrying out consistent and systematic work to prevent and counter violent extremists and terrorists since the early 2010.
Over the years, the government has adopted the National counterterrorism strategy and the national action plan for the prevention of violent radicalization and extremists on four occasions.
The Counter Terrorist Committee Executive Directorate STAT has conducted visits to Finland on behalf of the UN Secretary Council's counterterrorism Committee to monitor, facilitate, and promote the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions.
The initiative assessment visit took place in 2012 followed by a follow up visit in 2019.
We found this evaluation process and the recommendations extremely valuable and we published the report and the recommendations online.
At the same time, we have adapted our approach to reflect the significant changes in terrorist and extremism that have emerged during 2000 20s.
Currently, we are moving towards post ideological era and individualized forms of action where loosely connected networks and activity in the digital environment have become central.
Ideological motivations are no longer clear cut, they have hybridized and boundaries between the ideologies have become increasingly blurred.
One of the most serious challenges we face today is the growing radicalization of minors and the involvement in terrorist activities.
Especially among minors, ideology is not necessarily part of radicalization, poor fascination in the violence might suffice as a reason to resort to terrorism.
These developments demand up to date knowledge, new approaches, new practices, and a renewed commitment to prevention.
In its assessment, CETA praised Finland's model for preventing extremism, which is grounded in a whole of society approach and close collaboration between authorities on national, regional and local level, civil society organizations and researchers.
In Finland, these partners collaborate through the national collaboration network set by the Ministry of the Interior.
This collaborative approach significantly strengthens and enhances our collective efforts to counter extremism and terrorism.
We are currently in the process of developing a new comprehensive national strategy that will bring together to currently separated counterterrorism and PCV frameworks into a single unified strategy.
This new comprehensive strategy will also implement CTS recommendation to extend the whole of society approach more fully to counterterrorism efforts.
All our efforts must be based on knowledge.
Therefore, the Center of Excellence on preventing violent radicalization and extremism called Radia was established at the University of Helsinki.
This center supports both authorities and other organizations, including NGOs by providing training and research based knowledge.
Radia is also responsible for evaluating the current national action plan for the prevention of radicalization, extremists adopted in 2024.
First evaluation was conducted in 2019, which was also referred in CT's report on Finland.
Radicalization is increasingly taking place online.
As a response to online challenges, we developed the online gaming policy initiative.
Through this project, the police engage with young people and gaming communities at regular organized gaming events where police officers wearing their uniforms play online games together with the young people, providing also opportunities to talk privately with the police on issues of concern, and when necessary, individuals can be referred to support services such as the multidisciplinary anchor teams, which were recognized in the city's report.
By this approach, the police reach groups that can be difficult to reach through traditional means and who may have limited trust into society.
To conclude, our work is grounded in close cooperation among all relevant actors, and evidence based approach, active participation in international cooperation, a strong commitment to human rights and the rule of law, and the effective enforcement of criminal accountability.
Thank you.
Presentation.
I would like also to commend Finland for being the only country so far who made the report public and as our AG government has been recommending to all other member states to follow pursuit, thank you very much for the great cooperation, being so transparent.
Thank you.
With that, I would like to give the floor to our next speaker, General Machuer Mahmoud Zda, head of the Unified Information Center, Office of the Prosecutor General from the Republic of Tajikistan.
You have the floor, sir.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I had a presentation, but it's not ready probably.
Distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, it's a privilege to me to present here today alongside our partners at the UNO C, the OEC, and the Council and the Council of Europe.
I will share Tajikistan national experience in developing and implementing counterterrorism strategies, a decade long journey that we believe holds lessons relevant to the broader international community.
Tajikistan's counterterrorism approach, is built on a comprehensive mult pillar strategic framework.
Since 2016, we have adopted more than five major strategic documents.
This includes the national strategy for 2016, 2020, 21 25, and our newly adopted strategy for 2026, 2040, which I will describe in some details today.
In addition, since 2023, we have put in place three specialized rehabilitation and reintegration program covering women and children returning from conflict zones, persons with extremist or terrorist backgrounds, and convicted offenders.
This is not a single agency approach.
It's a hall of government hall of society framework that engage law enforcement, the judiciary, civil society, religious institutions, the education sector, and international partners in a coordinated and accountable manner.
Strategy for 2026 40 is structured around 13 priority areas.
I want to draw your attention to the breadth of this framework.
These areas include early prevention, education, and youth engagement, human rights compliance, the role of religious organizations, the challenges on the Internet and artificial intelligence, countering the financial of terrorism, the specific vulnerabilities associated with labor migration, conditions and programming within correctional facilities, gender mainstreaming, repatriation, rehabilitation and reintegration, international cooperation, and legislative development.
What I would particularly highlight is the inclusion of Internet and AI as a dedicated priority.
Tajikistan recognized that the digital environment is now a primary vector for radicalization and recruitment and our new strategy address this directly with both regulatory and preventive tools.
This strategy is supported by a concrete action plan for 2026 to 2030 built on three pillars, coordination, structure, and innovation.
The General Prosecutor Office is a designed monitoring body conducting annual reviews.
All ministers and agencies are required to submit progress reports by the 15 of January each year, ensuring accountability across the government.
Tajikistan contribution to international counterterrorism cooperation extends well beyond our borders.
Du Samba has been chosen repeatedly as a venue for high level multilateral counterterrorism events.
This is not coincidential.
It reflects the trust placed in Tajikistan as a senior and constructive partner on these issues.
That has emerged from this now recognized international as the Du Chamber process, a platform for multilateral dialog and cooperation on counterterrorism, particularly relevant to Central Asia and its neighborhood.
Just in the last ten years, we have conducted bilateral agreements with more than 15 countries.
Our institutional partnerships span UN OCT, the OAC, the Council of Europe, EU Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the International Organization for Migration, and much more.
This network of cooperation is not ceremonial.
It's produced shared intelligence, joint training, coordinated repatriation efforts, and mutual legal assistance.
In this stage, I would like to highlight that on June 25, 2026, just a few days before this City week, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution proclaiming 2027 2023 26 as the International decade for strengthening peace for future generations.
A initiative proposed by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emo Maliamon.
Next year, on the eve of the 13th anniversary of the National Unity Day of Tajikistan, we in cooperation with the United Nations and partner states, intend to hold a high level international conference to launch the implementation of the international decade of strengthening of peace for future generations in Duchamb, Tajikistan.
At the same time, I would like to inform you that the next high level conference within the framework of the Duchamb process on countering terrorism managed financing is also planned to be held in Duchamb next year.
In this stage, I would like to highlight the critical role that the United Nations system has played in supporting Tajikistan national counterterrorism strategy development.
The recently adopted national strategy for 2025 40 was developed in close consultation with UN OCT, the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, CTA, UNDP, OECA, UNODC and the broader NAS working group.
This was a genuinely coordinated UN system approach, and I'm pleased to say that Tajikistan accepted 90% of all comments and recommendations submitted through this process.
This did not happen by chance.
It reflects the CT assessment visit during which CTT acting on behalf of the counterterrorism Committee recommended that Tajikistan develop a comprehensive and integrated national city strategy in line with relevant Security Council resolutions.
CTAT held direct discussion with our national authorities on the formulation of such a strategy.
An important structural point for this audience, CTAT serves as a chair of the UN Global Counterterrorism Coordination Compact working group on national and regional City strategies.
The NARS working group with UN OCT serving as the vice chair.
In this capacity, CTAT consolidates inputs from all relevant UN entities and regional organizations providing member states with a single entry point for UN system wide guidance.
This ensures a coherent, non duplicative approach and Tajikistan has directly benefited from this mechanism.
Completely the same mechanism was done with the Office of OEC in Duchamb.
We have also ensured robust monitoring and regular reporting, which have been central to effective implementation.
Finally, I want to note Tajikistan continued active engagement with the OCT.
Most recently, we participated in the regional Expert Council meeting reflects our commitment not only to the national implementation, but to regional coordination and peer learning.
Distinguished colleagues, we are ready and willing to share our experience with any member states that may benefit from it.
We remain open to deepened cooperation with all partners represented here today.
Thank you.
Thank you gentleman Marks and his kind words.
May I kindly ask next speakers to limit their presentation for 2 minutes.
We have Hall of government approach, Hall of Society approach, and Hall of presenters approach in order for us to be able to speak.
With that, I would give the floor p to doctor Shela Joel Bozvich Minister counselor from the permission of Bosnia and Herzeviva.
Please you have the floor.
Thank you.
Thank you very much and thank you for giving me the floor and for the opportunity to share some highlights from our experience in support of continued efforts to strengthen holistic integrated approaches to counterterrorism worldwide.
Excellency, distinguished colleagues, Bosnia and Herzegovina addresses terrorism through the centralized Hall of government and Hall of society approach that reflects its complex constitutional structure and evolving security environment.
Since 2006, B&H has adopted successive national counterterrorism strategies.
That have progressively strengthened institutional coordination, prevention, international cooperation and resilience against emerging terrorist threats and is fully aligned with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, European Union standards, OSC commitments, and Council of Europe instruments.
Bosnia and Herzevina's counterterrorism framework together with the current strategy, for 2021 2026 provides a comprehensive national framework that addresses contemporary challenges while fully respecting human rights, the rule of law, and the principles of non discrimination, and is built on following mutually reinforcing strategic principles.
Priorities prevention, protection, pursuit, rehabilitation and reintegration, response and recovery, and international cooperation.
Strategy demonstrates strong national ownership and commitment to addressing terrorism in a comprehensive, coordinated, and human rights compliant manner.
It is fully consistent with the non binding valet principles and national and regional counterterrorism strategies, adopting a multidisciplinary, evidentiary based, and risk informed approach that balances security imperatives with the protection of fundamental rights.
Particularly noteworthy is the strategy's recognition that effective counterterrorism is ultimately about people.
By focusing on social cohesion, gender responsive approaches, rehabilitation and reintegration, the importance of protecting vulnerable groups, including women, children, and victims of terrorism, it acknowledges that sustainable security can only be achieved when communities are resilient, inclusive, and empowered.
Importantly, the strategy reflects many of the recommendations consistently highlighted during counterterrorism committee executive director visits.
It promotes stronger interagency coordination, enhanced information sharing, improved border management measures to prevent the misuse of the Internet for terrorist purposes.
At the same time, it places prevention at the center of national efforts by investing in education, community resilience, social services, local partnerships, and early intervention mechanisms.
Our experience demonstrates that sustainable security depends on far more than law enforcement measures alone.
It's strategic multi agency approach offers several important lessons for the international community.
For the sake of time, I will just focus on a few.
Strong legal framework must be implemented By rehabilitation and reintegration.
Bosnia and Herzegovina was among the first European countries to criminalize participation in foreign conflicts and successfully prosecute returning foreign terrorist fighters, establishing an important legal precedent.
Experience, however, has shown that prosecution alone is insufficient.
Long term security requires multidisciplinary, gender responsive rehabilitation and reintegration, progress that addresses trauma, reduce recidivism, and support social cohesion, particularly for women and children returning from conflict zones.
Terrorism is increasingly transnational and requires sustained international cooperation.
We here wish to especially emphasize the cooperation that we have with the United Nations, European Union, OSC, NATO, and neighboring countries that has strengthened BNH capacity to disrupt terrorist networks, prevent the movement of foreign terrorist fighters, and align national policies with international standards.
Lessons we have learned and we will share the full statement with you, continue to shape Bosnia and Herzevina's efforts to address both domestic and transnational terrorist threats.
Its experiences demonstrate that sustainable counterterrorism requires coordinated institutions, resilient communities, effective prevention, robust rehabilitation and reintegration mechanisms, strong counterterrorism financing measures, and gender responsive policies, as well as strong and close international cooperation.
Thank you.
Covina, and I give now the floor to Mian Sukviic, Director General of the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro.
You have the foreman.
Thank you, Distinguished Chair.
Distinguished channel, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great pleasure for me to address you today on this occasion and use this opportunity to present national strategies in the area of counterterrorism and share some insights I deem valuable that Montenegro has undertaken in combating global challenges like this one.
Montenegro, we have two key strategic documents in this area, strategy for prevention, radicalization and violent extremism and strategy for prevention and suppression of terrorism, money laundering and terrorism financing, which is in line with the Council of Europe's Maval recommendations.
However, Harmonization with international standards is not the only reason behind such practice.
We have assisted that awareness about unwanted foreign funding is mainly raised through the broad framework for preventing money laundering and terrorist financing and that besides legislative improvements, further strengthening is needed through indicators for spotting suspicious clients intersection.
In that regard, at the beginning of this year, a new law on the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing was enacted, enhancing transparency, establishing stricter and more precise regulatory framework, not only because financing is one of the key issues whose proper treatment is absolutely necessary, but also due to involving nature and emerging trends in radicalism and violent extremism, it was necessary for us to separate these thematic areas in order to improve the effectiveness in combating these threats.
I believe now it's a good time to introduce you more closely to the work of our multi agency national operational team for the prevention and suppression of terrorism and national extremism, which represents a key mechanism for an effective response to contemporary multi sectoral approach to contemporary threats and enables coordinated actions by all relevant institutions.
In addition to fostering a multi sectoral approach, the national operational team reports on the implementation of measures under the joint action plan for countering terrorism in the Western Balkans and monitors the implementation of both strategies.
It is also responsible for final outcomes aimed at the early identification of an intervention in cases involving minors, as well as identification and assessment of the risk posed by suspicious movements of potential foreign terrorist fighters.
Additionally, our approach clearly reflects a commitment to whole of society inclusions, which is why representative of civil society, more specifically non governmental organizations are involved in implementation of strategic priorities, also through consultation within working bodies established for the purpose of developing policies in these areas.
They also actively work on identifying challenges and provide recommendation with the aim of improving preventive and coordination mechanisms.
Unlimited, I would like to underline that we must not overlook the fact that the security environment is changing rapidly and that terrorism and violent extremism are taking on new forms.
For this reason, Montenegro has adopted the strategy for preventing radicalization and violent extremism for the period 2025, 2020, this strategy, we will continue to integrate the preventive, protective, operational and repressive aspects of the state's response in line with international standards and the practice of the European Union.
Thank you.
I'll give now the floor to miss Alicia Carbon from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta.
You have the floor.
Thank you, chair.
Excellencies, to start with, I would like to underline the need to confront terrorism through a comprehensive approach that combines both prevention and deterrence remains of paramount importance.
In an increasingly intrinsic and rapidly changing threat landscape, it has become essential for states to develop a whole of government and whole of society approach to counterterrorism.
As terrorist group continuously adapt their methods, exploit emerging technologies, and seek new avenues for recruitment and financing.
Member states must likewise ensure that their responses evolve accordingly.
In this context, a well developed and integrated national counterterrorism strategy represents a vital tool for states seeking to address terrorism in a coordinated, comprehensive and sustainable manner.
This understanding was further reinforced during Malta's 2025 follow up assessment visit by CETAT during discussions with CETAT the value of a comprehensive and integrated approach to counterterrorism and encouraged a reflection on how existing national structures could be brought together with a common strategic framework.
Importantly, the discussions demonstrated that many of the institutional components necessary to support such an approach already exist.
The challenge is often not the creation of new institutions, but ensuring that existing structures operate in a coordinated and coherent manner and strategic vision.
A strong advocate for comprehensive approaches to counterterrorism, Malta hosted the United Nations Conference on national and regional counterterrorism strategies in March 2025.
The conference was jointly co organized with CTT, including in its capacity as the chair of the Global Counterterrorism Coordination Compact working group, national and regional counterterrorism strategies.
The conference brought together representatives from member states, international and regional organizations, United Nations entities, civil societies, and academia to exchange experience and identify good practices in the development and implementation of counterterrorism strategies.
One of the most significant outcomes was the development of the non binding Valta principles on national and regional counterterrorism strategies.
The Valta principles are intended to serve as a practical guidance for member states, regional organizations, and other relevant stakeholders seeking to develop comprehensive and integrated counterterrorism strategies grounded in the whole of government and whole of society approaches.
They provide both substantive and procedural guidance drawing upon international experience, lessons learned, and recognized good practices from across the globe.
At our request, the Valta principles were subsequently issued as a board at General Assembly and the Security Council document and doing the valuable insights and recommendations generated through the conference made available to the wider international community.
The principles reflected the collective expertise and experiences shared by member state, the international and regional organizations, UN entities, civil society representatives, and academic experts.
Malta hopes that the Valeta principle will serve as a useful resource for interested member states and regional organization and their efforts to address the scourge of terrorism.
By supporting the development of comprehensive and integrated strategies, the principles can contribute stronger, resilient societies, more effective preventive capacities, and enhanced coordination amongst institutions and stakeholders.
Ultimately, they can help strengthen our collective efforts to prevent and compact terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
I thank you.
I give the floor now to Mr.
Oscar Sandal, senior advisor of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway.
Thank you very much.
First of all, I would like to extend my thanks to the Permanen commissions of Finland and Turkmenistan and as well as CTE for organizing today's event.
We welcome this as a timely opportunity to exchange best practices and discuss insights and practical lessons learned.
As for the terms, I refer to radicalization as the process by which a person increasingly accepts the use of violence to achieve political, ideological, or religious goals.
Whereas extremism conducive to terrorism refers to the acceptance and use of violence for such purposes.
Essentially violent extremism.
Generally, extremists have low public support in Norway in the Norwegian society.
Studies show that Norwegians generally trust the government, the security services, and the police.
Openness and transparency in government is important to maintain this level of public trust, which is perhaps our most important measure in countering polarization and disinformation.
That being said, Norway has, like many countries of the world, experienced terrorism on several occasions.
The years that follow the different attacks, effective prevention of extremism conducive to terrorism, as well as responses have been a priority for various governments.
They have included a number of different papers, a an independent review of national preparedness, an action plan against radicalization and violent extremism.
We have a Center for Research on right wing extremism.
We had an Independent Extremism Commission followed by white paper.
We have a national security strategy that emphasizes preventive work.
So there's a whole range of different documents.
National Hall of Government Counterterrorism strategy and a comprehensive action plan against radicalization and violent extremism have for years formed our longer term approach to prevent and combat terrorism and violent extremism.
These documents will be revised in the near future, so that will come up at a later stage.
We see a complex threat landscape also in Norway, ideology and a fascination with violence are increasingly blending together, making it harder to identify what triggers individuals to accept violence.
Understanding the role of online platforms and emerging technologies, both as drivers of extremism and as essential tools for prevention is key.
It's also key to strike a balance between individual rights and a society's need for safety.
But we will continue our whole of society approach.
Furthermore, we find that trust, transparency and open conversations on difficult issues are important.
Clear communications on threats demonstrated by the unclassified threat assessment, which our services have produced for the last 20 years, play a vital part in our work to continue ensuring openness and transparency.
We also do open and closed parliamentary hearings, which is also contributing to this trust and transparency.
Of course, international cooperation is a vital part of our work and we highly appreciate sharing the