UNSC’s first Counter-Terrorism Meet in Delhi, Jaishankar & Cleverly deliver address

India is hosting a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee. The members of the international community gathered in New Delhi to attend the global meeting on the theme of ‘Countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.' The first session of the meeting was held at Hotel Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai on Friday. 

Watch UNSC’s Counter-Terrorism Committee meeting here:- 

 

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Svetlana Martynova calls 'cash & hawala predominant methods of terror financing'

Svetlana Martynova, Senior Legal Officer, United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, said that cash and hawala are "predominant methods of terror financing." She stressed that terrorists adapt to the evolution of technologies. She further said, "They will abuse whatever they can, whatever has loopholes, be it very basic or very advanced methods. It will depend on 1) their goals, 2) their target audience. Main challenge is regulation. We have very clear global standards from FATF & the resolutions of UNSC."

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'Misuse of technologies by terrorists main focus of meeting': Ruchira Kamboj

Ruchira Kamboj, India's Permanent Representative to the UN & Counter-Terrorism Committee Chair, said that the main focus of the special meeting is the misuse of technologies by terrorists, with a focus on information and communication technology, financing terror and unmanned aerial systems including drones. She further said, "There'll be a Delhi declaration & we'll adopt non-binding guiding principles that will encourage member states to work collaboratively & collectively to counter the menace of terrorism."

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There will be an 'outcome document' on Counter-Terrorism Committee's action plan

David Scharia, Chief of Branch at the United Nations Security Council Counter terrorism executive directorate, said, "What we're already seeing is UNSC engagement at a very high level on the issue of threat of new and emerging technologies used by terrorists. That in itself is a huge accomplishment of this meeting." He announced that there will be an outcome document which will reveal the plan for the Counter-Terrorism Committee. The plan will outline the activities that the UNSC CTC Committee will carry out in the next few months and years. 

 

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Vladimir Voronkov highlights misuse of technologies by terrorists

Vladimir Voronkov, Under Secretary General for Counter-Terrorism, at the special meeting of the UNSC Counter-Terrorism Committee said that terrorists often misuse technologies to work on their agenda "thereby undermining international peace and security." He said that member states are confronted with an urgent need to tackle challenges posed by emerging technologies. 

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UK working with G7 & Global Internet Forum to counter-terrorism: Cleverly

In his address, James Cleverly said that the UK is making efforts to counter terrorism along with G7 and Global Internet Forum. He said that the UK will continue to pressurise tech firms who are among the top Internet players to "crackdown harder" on extremist content online. He stated that Britain established the Counter Daesh Communication Cell in London, in partnership with the governments of the US and UAE. He said that they have worked with governments, civil society and communities to challenge Daesh's narrative.

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UK Foreign Secy James Cleverly calls terrorism 'global problem'

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly addressed a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee. He has described terrorism as a "global problem and global threat." He expressed gratitude to EAM S Jaishnakar for using India's Security Council presidency to discuss the issue and advance his 8-point plan. He further said, "Within the space of just two decades, terrorists have gone from circulating crackly voice recordings from the depths of Tora Bora to global online recruitment and incitement campaigns to live-stream attacks."

India condemns cross-border drone attacks: EAM Jaishankar

In his address, S Jaishankar said that India condemns cross-border drone attacks in UAE and Saudi Arabia. He said that terrorist groups in Africa have been using drones to monitor movements of security personnel and even UN peacekeepers. Recalling 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Dr S Jaishankar said that India has experienced how a benign technology of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) could be used for organizing and directing a "terrorist attack from beyond borders."

"Our own experience of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and you will all recall the briefing yesterday- our experience showed us how a benign technology of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) could be used for organizing and directing such a barbaric terrorist attack from beyond our borders. More recently, these terrorist groups have been using unmanned aerial platforms, such as drones and quadcopters for cross border trafficking of drugs and arms and for carrying out terrorist attacks," Jaishankar said. 

Jaishankar recalled the cross-border drone attacks on the UAE and Saudi Arabia which resulted in the loss of lives and injuries. He remarked, "Such risks are not just limited to India. In Africa, drones have been used by the terrorist groups to monitor movements of security forces and even of UN peacekeepers, making them vulnerable to terrorist attacks. A few months ago, terrorists launched cross-border drone attacks on the UAE and Saudi Arabia targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, which led to loss of lives and injuries, including to Indian nationals there. India has strongly condemned these cross-border drone attacks both in UAE and Saudi Arabia."

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'Terrorism remains one of gravest threat to humanity': Jaishankar

In his address, Jaishankar described terrorism as a "grave threat to humanity." He said that threat of terrorism is "growing" particularly in Asia and Africa as highlighted in the reports of the 1267 Sanctions Committee. In his remarks, S Jaishankar said, "Terrorism remains one of the gravest threats to humanity. The UNSC in the past two decades has evolved an important architecture built primarily around the counter-terrorism sanctions regime to combat this menace. This has been very effective in putting those countries on notice that had turned terrorism into a state-funded enterprise. Despite this, the threat of terrorism is only growing and expanding particularly in Asia and Africa as successive reports of the 1267 Sanctions Committee have highlighted.

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Jaishankar addresses UNSC Counter-Terrorism meet

Delivering the keynote address at the plenary session of the UNSC special meeting of the counter-terrorism committee in Delhi on Saturday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar explained the manner in which terrorists are misusing new technologies and posing new challenges for governments across the world. For instance, he flagged that drones from Pakistan are used for the cross-border trafficking of weapons and drugs in India. 

 

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UNSC members discuss threats posed by use of technologies for terrorist purposes

The speakers at the opening of the special meeting of the UNSC's Counter-Terrorism Committee highlighted areas of concern, including gaming platforms and new finance technology. Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that UNSC members, including experts from UN's operational partners and specialised agencies have gathered to discuss threats posed by tthe use of technologies for terrorist activities. 

The special meeting began with a plenary session in which Foreign Ministers of India, Gabon Ghana and the UK made the remarks. The Deputy Foreign Ministers of Albania, United Arab Emirates and senior UN officials also made the statement in the plenary session.

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Watch UNSC’s Counter-Terrorism Committee meeting here:- 

India is hosting a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee meeting in Mumbai on Friday. The members of the international community gathered at the Hotel Taj Mahal Palace to attend the global meeting where the discussion over the theme of ‘Countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes'. Issues like terror financing through crypto-currency and the use of drones in new-age terrorism will also be discussed. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and other top officials of various countries are present at the meeting.

Notably, this is the first such meeting of the UNSC-CTC in India since its establishment in 2001. The Permanent Representative of India to the UN serves as the Chair of the CTC for 2022.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar laid the wreath at the 26/11 Memorial at Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai, today. He hailed the sacrifice of martyrs and the valiant spirit of police and Mumbaikars and said, "26/11 will never ever be forgotten".

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26/11 Victim shares terror ordeal

The survivors of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack urged UN to take decisive action against the masterminds of terror attack. One of the survivors shared her story, "I was in coma for 23 days. I'm still live with trauma and effects. The masterminds are alive today. The UN must act on the masterminds".

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Jaishankar's 5-points proposal to counter terror funding

EAM Jaishankar addressed the United Nations Security Council session on countering terrorism and made a 5-points proposal:-

1. Effective and sustained efforts at countering terror financing. Efforts of UN need to be coordinated with the collaboration of organisations like FATF and Egmont Group
2.  We need to ensure the effective and transparent functioning of the security council sanctions and make sure that they are not rendered ineffective for political reasons
3. International cooperation and consorted actions against terrorism including through dismantlement of terror safe havens, sanctuaries, training grounds
4. Terrorism nexus with transnational organise crimes, illicit drugs, and Arms fact picking is by now well established. Need to recognize these linkages and strengthen multi lateral efforts to break them
5. Innovative solutions to counter terrorist organizations' diversified funding portfolios by new and emerging technologies

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At UNSC’s first Counter Terrorism Committee Meet, India shared the intricate details of Pakistani terror attacks, after earlier exposing Pak-China complicity in blocking terrorists' designation. Adding that Pakistan's grey-listing by the FATF helped control terrorirst actvities.

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US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken addressed at the United Nations counter-terror meeting in Mumbai via video conferencing after India exposed Pakistan's 26/11 terror plot before the world. "As we reflect on immeasurable loss suffered during Mumbai 26/11 attacks, let it be a reminder to all of the unfinished work in holding accountable the perpetrators of these horrors and averting future attacks", said US Secy of State.

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26/11 Mumbai attack survivour Devika Natwarlal Rotawan spoke to Republic TV and narrated her horrific ordeal, "I was shot at on my right leg. My father and I had identified Ajmal Kasab in court. I feel angry that the masterminds are free. What victims of terror go through, only they know. Since that incident, I have had only one dream to study and become a police officer and end terrorism".

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At United Nations Security Council meeting on countering terrorism at the 26/11 terror attack site in Mumbai, EAM Jaishankar spelled out a 5-point proposal to counter terror funding.