Post-conflict situations are creating grounds for extremist groups to act;
Are the extremist and terrorist group gaining a new momentum?
Can the UN respond to all challenges and prevent possible consequences?
We live in the most difficult times in the modern history of the World. Many challenges are standing in front of us. Just recently, the UNSG A. Guterres as regularly, warned again about terrorism as a major global threat to peace, security and stability of our societies.
While we are focused in reaching of lasting peace in Ukraine and Gaza, stabilizing the situation in Syria…, the question at hand is whether we remain too distant and neglecting the danger of the terrorism and violent extremism.
We are well aware of how the terrorists can adjust their tactics and diversify their funding sources. It is worth taking this opportunity to revisit some well-known facts. Da’esh runs “a multi-million-dollar businesses” under its control. That includes oil trade, extortion, kidnapping, trafficking of humans and arms and racketeering. From Da’esh to Hamas, Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab, and the Taliban, groups worldwide exploit these tactics. Social media outreach is exploited as well, not just for radicalization and recruiting, but also for fundraising. Community by community, they are trying to extend their reach.
Post-conflict instability in Gaza, Ukraine (when lasting ceasefire is reached for both), Syria, and Afghanistan may trigger new terrorist operations. Some extremists, dissatisfied with the outcomes, could act alone or in small, undetectable cells. The availability of weapons (including the WMDs) in unstable regions heightens the threat.
Terrorist networks are expanding, forging alliances with organized crime and piracy, while funds, fighters, and weapons flow between regions. On the other hand, despair, poverty, and lack of services create fertile ground for radicalization.
Are UN member states prepared for an eventual new wave of terrorism?
It has been said many times before, but it should be reiterated time and again: No country, culture, or region is immune to and cannot cope alone with these challenges. Just as terrorist groups are innovating and diversifying, the international community must stay ahead of the curve to combat all operations of terrorist groups, especially money-laundering and the financing of terrorism. Doing so will not be easy. Many States have yet to establish the necessary legal regimes, institutions and expertise to identify and freeze terrorist financing and assets.
The implementation of the UN Strategy on Counter-Terrorism and the key UN Security Council resolutions on this subject remains weak in many parts of the world. In that respect, the efficient UN that drives the important global agenda on preventing violent extremism and countering terrorism, taking a balanced approach across the four pillars of the UN Global counter-terrorism Strategy it will be of colossal importance.
In the heart of all activities in this area, will be the work of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (OCT) and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). Furthermore, additional coordination efforts through the Global Counter-terrorism Compact of course will be added value in respect of gaining more effects.
We are approaching the 8th review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in June this year. It will be yet another opportunity to strengthen our work and find new ways to stop creating fertile ground for terror to spread.
We have to intensify our actions on countering terrorism, by addressing the issues of significance: enhanced coordination and coherence among all stakeholders to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to member states, improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts and to ensure that due priority is given to counterterrorism across the United Nations system.
By proactively and continuously addressing these issues (and all other related), we enhance the overall resilience of our countries.
Lastly, In the context of the review process – now more than ever, victims of terrorism need to be engaged. Member States, the United Nations and the entire international community must communicate and work closely with them. The voice of victims of terrorism is an important source for our actions and must be heard.
H. E. Dushko Uzunovski
H. E. Dushko Uzunovski (P. R. of North Macedonia to U. N. till February 2025)