France calls for coordinated action against terrorism
Madam President,
I would first like to join the remarks of my colleagues from the United States and Pakistan in congratulating the DRC for an excellent July presidency during this busy month, and wish you good luck in taking up the torch in August.
I also thank the briefers from the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate. On behalf of France, I wish to express our condolences to Pakistan for the terrorist attack that recently plunged the country in mourning.
Madam President,
As we will commemorate, in a few weeks, the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, terrorism remains one of the major threats to international peace and security.
This threat continues to evolve and reshape itself. Daesh, Al-Qaida and their affiliates continue to demonstrate a capacity for resilience and adaptation that requires us to remain on high alert.
We thank the Secretary-General for his latest report, which illustrates the persistence of the threat posed by Daesh and its affiliates.
On the African continent, whether in the Sahel, Nigeria, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, these groups continue to carry out deadly attacks, with civilian populations among the first victims.
In the Levant, where any security vacuum could favor a resurgence of Daesh, France supports the new Syrian authorities in their efforts to combat terrorism and stabilize the country, and maintains its action within the International Coalition against Daesh. On July 7, our President of the Republic visited Syria. On that occasion, he reaffirmed our commitment, which is part of a comprehensive global partnership. The reintegration of groups that fought Daesh, particularly the Syrian Democratic Forces, must continue in accordance with the commitments made to these groups.
Finally, Daesh-Khorasan remains active in its area of operations and remains capable of mobilizing combatants at an international level.
In this context, the international community must remain mobilized to combat terrorism, following a comprehensive and balanced approach that addresses all the driving forces dehind terrorism, while respecting human rights and international law.
France welcomes, in this regard, the adoption last month of the 9th review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We stand ready to support the work of this strategy. I will make a few remarks on that note.
First, the fight against terrorist financing remains an essential issue, seven years after the adoption of resolution 2462 in 2019, which was the first time the Council’s was seized. France hosted the 5th ‘’No Money for Terror’’ conference last May, which helped encourage cooperation efforts in this area and highlighted the need to prevent the diversion of financial innovations for terrorist financing purposes.
Second, the misuse of emerging technologies for recruitment and radicalization purposes is also a major concern. As part of its G7 presidency, France calls for strengthened cooperation to protect minors from terrorist content, while respecting the principles of a free and open Internet.
Finally, work must continue to support, in a coordinated manner, the strengthening of States’ counter-terrorism capacities.
France reiterates its full support for the Council’s work, and particularly for the work of the 1267 Committee. They must use of all the tools at their disposal to counter the activity of terrorist groups.
Thank you.