Security Council - Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) - UN Counter-Terrorism Week

CT Week Side Event | Strengthening multilateral cooperation to counter terrorist use of improvised explosive devices: advancing Member States’ leadership to enhance prevention and response capacities in Eastern Africa

AKHVEDELID — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 22:55:00 +0000

Wednesday, 01 July 2026 - 1:15pm to 2:45pm

On Wednesday, 1 July 2026 from 13:15 p.m. to 14:45 p.m. EDT, at the �鶹APP Headquarters in New York, conference room 11, Canada and Kenya, in partnership with the �鶹APP Office of Counter‑Terrorism (UNOCT), the Counter‑Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), and the �鶹APP Mine Action Service (UNMAS) will hold a side event on “Strengthening multilateral cooperation to counter terrorist use of improvised explosive devices: advancing Member States’ leadership to enhance prevention and response capacities in Eastern Africa.”

The event will serve as a strategic platform to advance Member States’ leadership, drive coordinated action, and strengthen the exchange of operational experiences and good practices to enhance collective counter‑IED efforts.

In Eastern Africa, the persistent IED threat has highlighted gaps in legislative frameworks, operational capacities, inter‑agency coordination, and information‑sharing at national, regional, and international levels. Addressing these challenges requires strengthened multilateral cooperation, evidence‑based policymaking, and sustained leadership by Member States, supported by international and regional partners.

Objectives

The objective of the side event is to present and discuss practical findings and recommendations emerging from national capacity consultations and a regional expert meeting, with a particular focus on effective approaches to preventing and responding to the terrorist use of IEDs. The discussions will highlight lessons learned in strengthening legislative and regulatory frameworks, enhancing law enforcement and security capacities, improving inter‑agency coordination, and advancing the implementation of upstream (preventative) and downstream (response-oriented) counter‑IED measures, in line with applicable international obligations.

Draft agenda

Moderator: Maria Eugenia Rettori, Head, Countering Terrorist Use of Weapons, �鶹APP Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT), �鶹APP Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)

13:15 – 13:35 Opening remarks

Mr. Alexandre Zouev, Acting Under-Secretary-General of the �鶹APP Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), Executive Director of UNCCT
Ms. Carmen G. Cantor, Deputy Executive Director, �鶹APP Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED)
H.E. Mr. Yabesh Oreni Monari, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Kenya to the �鶹APP
Ms. Jeea Saraswati, Director, Counter-Terrorism and Anti-Crime Capacity Building Programs, Global Affairs Canada (pre-recorded statement)

13:35 – 14:20 National and regional perspectives

Mr. Fred Ndegwa, Chief Liaison Officer, National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Republic of Kenya
Federal Republic of Somalia (TBC)
Mr. Haruna Bazirondere Isabirye, Assistant Inspector General of Police,

Permanent Mission of the Republic of Uganda to the �鶹APP

Mr. Idriss Mounir Lalalli, Director, African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre (AUCTC)

14:20 – 14:35 Countering the terrorist use of improvised explosive devices in Eastern Africa

Mr. Jean-Philippe Morange, Senior Legal Officer, CTED
Ms. Alma Pintol, Programme Management Officer, UNOCT/UNCCT
Mr. Raymond Kemei, �鶹APP Mine Action Service (UNMAS)

14:35 – 14:45 Closing remarks

Mr. Mauro Miedico, Director for Capacity-Building, Director of UNCCT, UNOCT
Ms. Rita Gunaryati Lubis, Deputy Director, UNMAS

Logistics

The side event will be held on Wednesday, 1 July from 13:15 p.m. to 14:45 p.m. EDT in person at �鶹APP Headquarters, Conference Room 11. The event is open to Member and Observer States, members of the media including photographers with valid accreditation, �鶹APP staff and interns, UN entities, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies, as well as invited guests with a valid UN grounds pass.

Prior registration is required for all those wishing to attend, whether in-person or online.  To attend the event, please register here: Microsoft Forms.  All registered participants will receive the link to join the event the day before the event.

Due to limited capacity, in-person seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be confirmed prior to the event.

Representatives of Member States travelling from capitals and requiring UN grounds passes should be registered through the e-delegate portal: https://e-delegate.un.org. Registration should be completed by the respective Permanent Missions.

Delegates already holding valid UN grounds passes may use their existing passes to access the Conference.

Participants from international and regional organizations, civil society, academia and other stakeholders who are not registered through Member State Permanent Missions should register through the Indico platform: https://indico.un.org/event/1022574/registrations/.

The meeting will be conducted in English only, without any interpretation.

The meeting will be livestreamed on UN WebTV.

The draft concept note and agenda are available here.

To find out more about CTED’s activities for Counter-Terrorism Week, please visit our dedicated page.

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Events

CT Week Side Event | The growing threat of terrorist use of unmanned aircraft systems: strengthening international cooperation and implementation

AKHVEDELID — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 11:08:00 +0000

Wednesday, 01 July 2026 - 3:00pm to 4:30pm

The use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) by terrorist actors is an evolving and increasingly complex threat, driven by rapid technological advances and the growing accessibility of commercially available systems. Recent �鶹APP reporting has highlighted the increasingly adaptive nature of the global terrorist threat, including the growing use of new and emerging technologies by terrorist groups, including UAS. Developments in autonomy, additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, modular payload design, and globalized supply chains have significantly lowered the barriers for acquisition, adaptation, and deployment. These trends, combined with battlefield innovation and cross-regional diffusion of tactics, are increasing risks to civil aviation, critical infrastructure, maritime security, borders, and civilian populations.

At the same time, the pace of technological innovation is outstripping the ability of institutions, regulatory frameworks, and operational systems to adapt. While Member States have made progress in developing norms and regulatory approaches, implementation remains uneven. Key challenges, particularly regulatory fragmentation, gaps in national capacities, limited integration of private-sector actors, and the speed of technological change, continue to constrain effective prevention, detection, and response. In many contexts, state responses are struggling to keep pace with the speed and adaptability of terrorist actors, creating a widening gap between the availability of technologies and the ability to effectively prevent and respond to their use.

The Delhi Declaration on Countering the Use of New and Emerging Technologies for Terrorist Purposes, adopted by the �鶹APP Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee in 2022, underscores the importance of flexible, non-binding approaches to governance. In this context, the Abu Dhabi Guiding Principles on Threats Posed by the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Terrorist Purposes (S/2023/1035), adopted by the Counter-Terrorism Committee in 2023, provide practical guidance for Member States in addressing the use of UAS by terrorist actors.

Addressing this gap requires a shift from principles to practice, through strengthened implementation and enhanced international cooperation, including better alignment of legal, regulatory, technical, and operational responses, and improved coordination across national authorities, the �鶹APP system, and relevant partners.

Building on these efforts, the high-level side event will examine the evolving threat and identify practical, implementation-focused approaches, drawing on existing good practices and frameworks, as well as broader national, regional, and �鶹APP experience.

Objectives

Assess the evolving threat landscape relating to the use of UAS for terrorist purposes, including implications for Member State preparedness, resilience, and response.
Identify practical legal, regulatory, technical, and operational measures to strengthen implementation, drawing on existing good practices, including the ADGP, as well as national and regional experiences.
Highlight gaps and priorities for capacity-building and international cooperation, including areas where the �鶹APP system and partners can better support Member States, with a view to informing practical priorities to support follow-on technical engagement.

Draft agenda

15:00 – 15:25: Opening segment

Mr. Alexander Zouev, Acting Under-Secretary-General, �鶹APP Office of Counter- Terrorism (UNOCT)
H.E. Mr. Maqsoud Kruse, Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Countering Extremism and Terrorism, United Arab Emirates
H.E. Mr. Jihoon Cha, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the �鶹APP
H.E. Mr. Hiroyuki Minami, Ambassador in charge of International Cooperation for Countering Terrorism and International Organized Crime, Japan
H.E. Mr. Rui Vinhas, Permanent Representative of Portugal to the �鶹APP
Ms. Natalia Gherman, Assistant Secretary-General, Executive Director, Counter-Terrorism

Committee Executive Directorate (CTED)

15:25 – 16:20: Panel discussion

Moderator: Dr. James Patton Rogers, Executive Director, Brooks Tech Policy Institute, Cornell University

H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity, United Arab Emirates
Ms. Guadalupe Megre, Officer-in-charge, Special Projects and Innovation Branch (SPIB), �鶹APP Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)
Mr. Christopher Barks, Regional Director, North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACC) Office, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Mr. Jean-Philippe Morange, Senior Legal Officer, Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED)
Mr. Jonah Leff, Executive Director, Conflict Armament Research (CAR)
Mr. Rida Lyammouri, Senior Fellow, Policy Centre for the New South (PCNS)

16:20 – 16:30: Closing remarks

H.E. Mr. Maqsoud Kruse, Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Countering Extremism and Terrorism, United Arab Emirates,
Mr. Mauro Miedico, Director for Capacity-Building, �鶹APP Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)

Logistics

The side event will be held on Wednesday, 1 July from 15:00 p.m. to 16:30 p.m. in person at �鶹APP Headquarters, Conference Room 1 with hybrid participation available via Webex to accommodate speakers or attendees unable to join physically.

Prior registration is required for all those wishing to attend, whether in-person or online.

To attend the event, please register here: Microsoft Forms. All registered participants will receive the link to join the event the day before the event.

Due to limited capacity, in-person seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be confirmed prior to the event.

For in-person participation, please note that registration for grounds passes through Indico has now closed. Participants who still require a badge or building access are kindly requested to contact us at oct-aros@un.org so that they can facilitate the necessary arrangements.

The meeting will be conducted in English only, without any interpretation.

The draft concept note and agenda are available here.

To find out more about CTED’s activities for Counter-Terrorism Week, please visit our dedicated page.

Tags:

UN Counter-Terrorism Week

Categories:

Events

CT Week Side Event | Beyond the runway: advancing air cargo security: synergies between the ICAO AVSEC Programme, the UNODC Passenger and Cargo Control Programme, the UNODC Laboratory and Scientific Services, and the UN Countering Terrorist Travel Program

AKHVEDELID — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 01:26:00 +0000

Wednesday, 01 July 2026 - 4:30pm to 6:00pm

On Wednesday, 1 July 2026 from 16:30 p.m. to 18:00 p.m. EDT, at the �鶹APP Headquarters in New York, conference room 12 (and via Webex for online participation), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the �鶹APP Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), the �鶹APP Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the �鶹APP Office on Drugs and Crime, jointly with Transport Canada, will convene an interactive side event “Beyond the runway: advancing air cargo security: synergies between the ICAO AVSEC Programme, the UNODC Passenger and Cargo Control Programme, the UNODC Laboratory and Scientific Services, and the UN Countering Terrorist Travel Programme”.

The side event directly supports the theme of the 2026 �鶹APP Counter-Terrorism Week “A Future Free from Terrorism: Consolidating the Global Commitment to Multi-Stakeholder Approaches to Counter Terrorism through Member States’ Leadership and Action.” By focusing on the security of air cargo and interconnected global logistics systems, the event highlights a critical yet often under-examined dimension of counter-terrorism: the protection of international supply chains from exploitation by terrorist groups and transnational organized crime networks. Strengthening air cargo and postal security is essential to preventing the movement of explosives, weapons components, precursor chemicals, and other materials that could be used to conduct terrorist attacks. The discussion will therefore emphasize how Member States’ leadership, supported by international frameworks and operational partnerships, can enhance risk-based screening, intelligence-led targeting, and coordinated responses to evolving threats across aviation and trade systems.

The side event also aligns with the strategic focus of the �鶹APP counter-terrorism architecture by promoting integrated, multi-stakeholder approaches that connect aviation security, customs enforcement, law enforcement cooperation, and private-sector engagement. By showcasing the complementary work of the ICAO, UNOCT, UNCTED and UNODC programmes, the event demonstrates how coordinated capacity-building and operational collaboration can strengthen Member States’ ability to detect and disrupt illicit trafficking while facilitating legitimate trade and travel. In doing so, it contributes to the objectives of the �鶹APP Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy by fostering international cooperation, enhancing border and transport security, and supporting Member States in implementing practical, risk-based measures to prevent terrorists and criminal networks from exploiting global transport and logistics systems.

Objectives

Aligned with the theme of �鶹APP Counter-Terrorism Week 2026 “A Future Free from Terrorism: Consolidating the Global Commitment to Multi-Stakeholder Approaches to Counter Terrorism through Member States’ Leadership and Action” the side event aims to:

Highlight how Member States’ leadership and operational cooperation can strengthen air cargo security and containerized supply chain controls as part of broader counter-terrorism efforts.
Discuss emerging threats to aviation cargo and global logistics systems, including attempts to

conceal IEDs and IIDs in cargo and postal shipments.

Share operational experiences and lessons learned from the ICAO and UNODC Programmes, in particular as they relate to Strategic Trade and Export Control, including firearms and their parts, dual-use goods and CBRN materials.
Promote multi-stakeholder cooperation involving aviation authorities, customs administrations,

law enforcement agencies, postal operators, private-sector logistics actors, and forensic
laboratories.

Identify opportunities for strengthened international cooperation, training, and technical

assistance to support Member States in implementing risk-based cargo screening and cross-border information sharing.

Draft agenda

Event moderator: Ms. Agnieszka Maja Mizgalska, Aviation Security Technical Officer, Aviation Security Policy, Aviation Security and Facilitation, ICAO

16:30-17:00 Opening session

Ms. Katie Buckley, Chief, Aviation Security Policy, Transport Canada, Canada
Ms. Carmen G. Cantor, Deputy Executive Director, CTED
Mr. Christopher Barks, Regional Director, NACC, ICAO

17:00-17:45 Panel discussion

Ms. Henna Shah, Associate Legal Officer, CTED
Mr. Greg Helpin, Senior Security Advisor, Transport Canada, Canada
Mr. Luc Hardy, Programme Management Officer, Countering Terrorist Travel Section, Special Projects & Innovation Branch (SPIB), UNOCT
Mr. Jeffery Bawa, Synthetic Drug Strategy Regional Coordinator for West and Central Africa, UNODC

17:45-17:55 Q/A session

Questions from the floor

17:55-18:00 Closing session

Mr. Ignacio Ibáñez Ferrándiz, Head of the UNOCT Madrid Office
Mr. Christopher Barks, Regional Director, NACC, ICAO

Logistics

The side event will be held on Wednesday, 1 July from 16:30 p.m. to 18:00 p.m. EDT in person at �鶹APP Headquarters, Conference Room 12, with hybrid participation available via Webex to accommodate speakers or attendees unable to join physically. The event is open to Member and Observer States, members of the media including photographers with valid accreditation, �鶹APP staff and interns, UN entities, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies, as well as invited guests with a valid UN grounds pass.

Prior registration is required for all those wishing to attend, whether in-person or online.  To attend the event, please register here: Microsoft Forms. All All registered participants will receive the link to join the event the day before the event.

Due to limited capacity, in-person seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be confirmed prior to the event.

Delegates already holding valid UN grounds passes may use their existing passes to access the Conference.

The meeting will be conducted in English only, without any interpretation.

The meeting will be livestreamed on UN WebTV.

The draft concept note and agenda are available here.

To find out more about CTED’s activities for Counter-Terrorism Week, please visit our dedicated page.

Tags:

UN Counter-Terrorism Week

Categories:

Events

CT Week Side Event | The role of parliaments in applying and adapting existing frameworks for effective countering actions

AKHVEDELID — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:16:00 +0000

Wednesday, 01 July 2026 - 1:00pm to 2:30pm

On Wednesday, 1 July 2026, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), with the support of its Centre for Global Studies, in partnership with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Cyprus, the �鶹APP Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), the �鶹APP Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT), the �鶹APP Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) - Programme Office on Parliamentary Engagement in Preventing and Countering Terrorism, and UNOCT/UNCCT Cybersecurity Unit, will hold a side event on “The role of parliaments in applying and adapting existing frameworks for effective countering actions” at �鶹APP Headquarters in conference room 8 from 13:00 – 14:30pm EDT.

During the side event, speakers will highlight the need for steps taken by national and international Parliaments to address the misuse of AI and emerging technologies to be operationally aligned with international instruments and conventions, in compliance with Security Council resolutions on counter-terrorism, anchored in the pillars of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, , and grounded on existing good practice, the rule of law, and human rights.

They will further discuss the need for strategic, legal, and policy efforts to take into account the rapidly evolving use of new technologies for terrorist purposes and terrorist threats to international peace and security. Speakers will encourage global cooperation, building integration and interoperability for different approaches, and sharing of information and good practices, as necessary components for establishing effective guidance without sacrificing innovation and the beneficial uses of new technologies.

Objectives

The side event aims to highlight the crucial role of national and international Parliaments in countering terrorism in an era of unprecedented technological evolution. Such cooperation is placed within the broader framework of multilateral, multi-stakeholders, and multilevel governance and comprehensive strategies, including the respect for human rights and international law.

The side event will analyze how the often diverging approaches to technological sovereignty and fragmented legal and policy approaches can impede strategic goals and outcomes around the strengthening of regional and global instruments for countering terrorist narratives and activities on and offline.

The side event will also seek to deliver a decisive message: as the Secretary-General of the �鶹APP has repeatedly stressed, only effective multilateral governance can ensure that technologies are used for the collective benefit of humanity.

Draft agenda

Opening Session

H.E. Ms. Maria Michail, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the UN in New York
H.E. Mr. Giorgio Marrapodi, Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN in New York
Ms. Natalia Gherman, Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED)
Hon. Rita Superman (Cyprus), PAM Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism, and Chair of the Policy Dialogue of the UN Coordination Mechanism for Parliamentary Assemblies on Counter-Terrorism

Discussion

Moderator: Ms. Jennifer Bramlette, Legal Officer/ICT Coordinator, CTED

Hon. Pedro Roque (Portugal), PAM Vice-President
Mr. Adam Hadley, Founder and Executive Director of Tech Against Terrorism, CEO of QuantSpark
London, United Kingdom
Sen. Abdelkader el-Kihal (Morocco), PAM Vice-President
Hon. Emanuele Loperfido (Italy), Vice-Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Ms. Akvile Giniotiene, Head of Cyber and New Technologies Unit, �鶹APP Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of Counter-Terrorism, New York, USA
Hon. Abdelouahab Yagoubi, PAM Rapporteur on AI
Ms. Eunice Lee, Senior Program Manager, Strong Cities Network

Logistics

The side event will be held on Wednesday, 1 July from 13:00 p.m. to 14:30 p.m. EDT in person at �鶹APP Headquarters, Conference Room 8. The event is open to Member and Observer States, members of the media including photographers with valid accreditation, �鶹APP staff and interns, UN entities, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies, as well as invited guests with a valid UN grounds pass.

Prior registration is required for all those wishing to attend, whether in-person or online. To attend the event, please register here: Google Forms. All registered participants will receive the link to join the event the day before the event.

Due to limited capacity, in-person seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be confirmed prior to the event.

In-person attendees must also register on Indico.

The meeting will be conducted in English only, without any interpretation.

The meeting will be livestreamed on UN WebTV.

The draft concept note and agenda are available here.

To find out more about CTED’s activities for Counter-Terrorism Week, please visit our dedicated page.

Tags:

UN Counter-Terrorism Week

Categories:

Events

CT Week Side Event | Addressing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean as a key component of counter-terrorism

AKHVEDELID — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:56:00 +0000

Thursday, 02 July 2026 - 8:00am to 9:30am

On the margins of the �鶹APP High-Level Counter-Terrorism Week, a dedicated side event titled “Addressing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean as a key component of counter-terrorism” will be held on Thursday, 2 July 2026 from 08:00 – 09:30am EDT. The side event will take place at the Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the �鶹APP and will also be accessible via Microsoft Teams.

The side event will bring together policymakers, practitioners, and experts to examine one of the most urgent security challenges facing Latin America and the Caribbean: the proliferation and illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and its links to terrorism and transnational organized crime.

Co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Jamaica, Paraguay and Uruguay to the �鶹APP and co-organized by the Counter Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), the �鶹APP Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), and the �鶹APP Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), the event will provide a platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and practical cooperation to strengthen responses to the terrorism–arms–crime nexus.

The event will focus on the persistent challenges posed by the widespread availability and misuse of firearms in Latin America and the Caribbean, where illicit SALW flows continue to fuel armed violence, insecurity, and instability. It will also examine how these dynamics intersect with terrorism and transnational organized crime, creating conditions that can be exploited by both criminal networks and terrorist actors.

Discussions will highlight key regional trends and risks, while identifying practical responses and good practices to strengthen prevention, detection, and disruption of illicit arms trafficking. Attention will be given to strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing border management and law enforcement cooperation, and improving information-sharing mechanisms in line with relevant Security Council resolutions and the �鶹APP Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

Participants will reflect on national and regional efforts, explore opportunities for capacity-building and technical assistance, and promote coordinated, multi-stakeholder approaches to address linkages between SALW proliferation, terrorism, and transnational organized crime in Latin America and the Caribbean

The event will bring together senior officials and experts from Member States, �鶹APP entities, international and regional organizations, as well as representatives from academia and other relevant stakeholders, providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration.

Prior registration is required for all participants wishing to attend, whether in person or online. Interested participants are invited to register using this link.

The concept note and draft agenda are available here.

Draft agenda

08:00-8:15 High-level opening remarks

Opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Brian Christopher Manley Wallace, Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the �鶹APP
Opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Marcelo Eliseo Scappini Ricciardi, Permanent Representative of Paraguay to the �鶹APP
Opening remarks by Mrs. Gabriela Gonzalez, Deputy Permanent Representative of Uruguay to the �鶹APP
Opening remarks by Mrs. Carmen G. Cantor, Deputy Executive Director, CTED

08:15-08:35 Panel discussion

Key trends and challenges pertaining to addressing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean in a counter-terrorism context

08:40-09:10 Panel discussion

Mapping of lessons and experiences in addressing the proliferation of SALW within Latin America and the Caribbean and in other contexts

9:10-9:25 Q&A

9:25-9:30 Closing remarks

To find out more about CTED’s activities for Counter-Terrorism Week, please visit our dedicated page.

Tags:

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Events

CT Week Side Event | Beyond tokenism: Women leading prevention, justice and policy in counter-terrorism

AKHVEDELID — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 20:20:00 +0000

Friday, 26 June 2026 - 10:00am to 11:15am

On Friday, 26 June 2026, the �鶹APP Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the �鶹APP Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), and the �鶹APP Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), are co-organizing a side event on “Beyond Tokenism: Women Leading Prevention, Justice and Policy in Counter-Terrorism from 10:00 – 11:15 EDT at �鶹APP Headquarters in New York in Conference Room 11. The event is supported by Member State partners: the Government of Canada, the European Union, the Republic of Costa Rica, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of Kenya, Mexico, as well as the CSO Coalition on Human Rights and Counter-Terrorism.

This side event will bring together Member States from various regions, civil society actors, and �鶹APP entities to discuss how to strengthen women’s leadership and full, equal, meaningful and safe participation in counter-terrorism efforts.

Drawing on evidence and practice, the event will highlight the critical roles women play as policymakers, justice and security professionals, researchers, and leaders of civil society organizations working on prevention, community engagement, and access to justice. Despite these contributions, women remain underrepresented, and gender-responsive approaches are applied inconsistently across counter-terrorism frameworks. The discussion will therefore focus on exchanging experiences, highlighting good practices, and identifying practical recommendations to advance women’s full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation in counter-terrorism and the prevention of violent extremism.

By convening policymakers, practitioners, and civil society leaders, the event aims to strengthen collective action and promote gender-responsive approaches that enhance the legitimacy, effectiveness, and human rights compliance of counter-terrorism policies and practices. Register for the event here.

Draft agenda

0:00 – 10:15 Introduction and Opening Remarks

Moderator: Ms. Annick Hiensch Gender Adviser, �鶹APP Office of Counter-Terrorism

Mr. Alexandre Zouev, Acting Under-Secretary-General for the �鶹APP Office of Counter-Terrorism
Ms. Natalia Gherman, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate
H.E. Ambassador Michael Gort, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Canada to the �鶹APP

10:15 - 10:40 Session 1: From Policy to Practice - Advancing Women’s Leadership in Counter-Terrorism

This panel will bring together representatives from Member States, and practitioners to highlight women’s participation in counter-terrorism institutions.

Moderator: Ms. Aleksandra Dier, Head, Gender and Children Unit, Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED)

Mr. Kibiego Kigen, Director General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Republic of Kenya
Ms. Anna Strzaska, European External Action Service Special Envoy for Counter-Terrorism
Major Kareema Shannag, Head of the Women’s Police Section, Special Branch, Public Security Directorate, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

10:40 – 11:05 Session 2: Women-led Civil Society on the Frontlines

This panel will feature women leaders from civil society organizations working on CT/PCVE, highlighting community-level prevention, resilience-building, and access to justice.

Moderator: Ms. Beth Alexion, Coalition Coordinator, CSO Coalition on Human Rights and Counter-Terrorism

Ms. Ambika Satkunanathan, International Human Rights Law Expert, Member of the Steering Group of the CSO Coalition on Human Rights and Counter-Terrorism.
Ms. Dwi Rubiyanti Kholifah, Secretary General and Indonesia Country Representative of the Asian Muslim Action Network – Indonesia
Ms. Halima Mohamed, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Coast Education Centre (COEC)

11:05-11:15 Closing remarks

Ms. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director for Normative Support, �鶹APP System Coordination and Programme Results, UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
H.E. Ambassador Widya Sadnovic, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia to the �鶹APP

Logistics

The side event will be held on Friday, 26 June from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15am EDT in person at �鶹APP Headquarters, Conference Room 11 with hybrid participation available via Webex. The event is open to Member and Observer States, members of the media including photographers with valid accreditation, �鶹APP staff and interns, UN entities, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies, as well as invited guests with a valid UN grounds pass.

Prior registration is required for all those wishing to attend, whether in-person or online. To attend the event, please register here: Microsoft Forms. All registered participants will receive the link to join the event the day before the event.

Due to limited capacity, in-person seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be confirmed prior to the event.

In-person attendees must also register on Indico.

The meeting will be conducted in English only, without any interpretation.

The draft concept note and agenda are available here.

You can watch the event here.

To find out more about CTED’s activities for Counter-Terrorism Week, please visit our dedicated page.

Tags:

UN Counter-Terrorism Week

Categories:

Events

CT Week Side Event | Terrorism and maritime insecurity, collective efforts to counter terrorism in the maritime domain

AKHVEDELID — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Tuesday, 30 June 2026 - 1:15pm to 2:45pm

To contribute to the global conversation on counter terrorism efforts and in support of Pillar II of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy on measures to prevent and combat terrorism, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), the �鶹APP Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), jointly with the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Malta, will convene an interactive side event on “Terrorism and Maritime Insecurity: Collective Efforts to Counter Terrorism in the Maritime Domain” on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, with the purpose of examining key aspects relating to enhancing the prevention and suppression of terrorist movement and activities in the maritime domain, strengthen the protection of ports and other critical infrastructure at sea, and address a multiple-threat environment that calls for closer scrutiny and renewed policy, cooperation and operational approaches.

The maritime domain is of high strategic interest to terrorists and organized crime actors who have historically exploited the sea as an arena not only for committing several types of offences involving vessels and installations, but also as a conduit to move around offenders and strategic goods, such as weapons. In comparison with illegal activities conducted via land and air transport modalities, those taking place at sea are often facilitated by the lack of physical border checkpoints as well as technical and logistical difficulties for national governments to monitor and manage movement across maritime borders and enforce laws over vast and often remote spaces. Considering the fast-evolving security landscape and growing capabilities, including new technologies, of terrorists and terrorist groups to exploit maritime routes and installations, the maritime sector benefits from increased scrutiny by the international community and strengthened exchange of information to detect and prevent the movement of terrorists, including foreign terrorist fighters.

In its resolutions 1373 (2001), 2178 (2014) and 2396 (2017), the Security Council stated that all Member States should prevent the movement of terrorists or terrorist groups, through effective border controls. Effective border management is of particular importance in preventing and disrupting the movement of foreign terrorist fighters, as emphasized by the Council in its resolutions 2178 (2014) and 2396 (2017). The protection of critical infrastructures, such as ports and those of the maritime domain, has also been addressed by the Council in its resolution 2341 (2017). Border security includes controls on the movement of people and goods across borders, as well as the prevention of unlawful interference in maritime navigation and international cargo movement. In this regard, maritime routes should also be considered within broader efforts to prevent the travel and logistical support of foreign terrorist fighters, particularly where smaller vessels, ferries or commercial shipping routes may be used to bypass traditional aviation-focused monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. In most of these areas, international instruments and standards have been developed by specialized international organizations such as the IMO. The maritime domain also faces potential new and emerging threats by the increasing use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and information and communication technologies for terrorist purposes.

Speakers will draw attention to existing gaps, challenges, and vulnerabilities as well as good practices addressing such gaps in the maritime domain. Speakers will also highlight key initiatives supporting existing frameworks, processes, and mandates to address and strengthen maritime security, such as collection of passenger/crew data and protection of maritime domain as critical infrastructure. The discussions aim to underscore that securing this domain is not only essential to preventing terrorist mobility and logistical support but also requires sustained cooperation among Member States, UN entities, specialized agencies such as the IMO, regional partners, and the private sector/industry.

Draft agenda

Opening Session

Master of Ceremonies: Ms. Jin Gu, CTED

Ms. Aglaia Balta, Permanent Representative of Greece to the �鶹APP
Ms. Natasha Meli, Permanent Representative of Malta to the �鶹APP
Mr. Alexandre Zouev, Acting Under-Secretary-General of the �鶹APP Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)
Ms. Natalia Gherman, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director, Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED)

Panel Discussion

Moderator: Mr. Jean-Philippe Morange, Senior Legal Officer, CTED

Mr. Georgios Christianos, Rear Admiral HCG, Director of Operational Division, Hellenic Coast Guard (HCG), Hellenic Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy

Ms. Alessia Carbone, Director for Transnational Threats and Sanctions, DG Global Issues, International Development & Economic Affairs, Maltese Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs
Ms. Anne-Maria Seesmaa, Legal Officer, CTED
Ms. Christine Bradley, Chief of Section, Countering Terrorist Travel and Head of Office, UNOCT Programme Office, Budapest
Mr. Ignacio Ibáñez, Head, Madrid Programme Office and Coordinator, Vulnerable Targets Programme, Special Projects and Innovation Branch, UNOCT
Mr. Jeremy Greenwood, Head of Maritime Security Section, Maritime Safety Division, International Maritime Organization

Intervention(s): �鶹APP Office on Drugs and Crime, International Criminal Police Organization, World Customs Organization

Q&A

Floor open for Q&A

Closing remarks

Mr. Jean-Philippe Morange, Senior Legal Officer, CTED

Logistics

The side event will be held on Tuesday, 30 June from 13.15 p.m. to 14.45 p.m. in person at �鶹APP Headquarters, Conference Room 8 with hybrid participation available via Webex to accommodate speakers or attendees unable to join physically.

Due to limited capacity, in-person seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be confirmed prior to the event.

Representatives of Member States travelling from capitals and requiring UN grounds

passes should be registered through the e-delegate portal: https://e-delegate.un.org.

Registration should be completed by the respective Permanent Missions. Delegates already holding valid UN grounds passes may use their existing passes to access the Conference.

The meeting will be conducted in English only, without any interpretation.

The draft concept note and agenda are available here.

To find out more about CTED’s activities for Counter-Terrorism Week, please visit our dedicated page.

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CT Week Side Event | National and regional counter-terrorism strategies: Insights and practical lessons learned, including through strengthening prevention and PCVE

AKHVEDELID — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:28:00 +0000

Monday, 29 June 2026 - 5:00pm to 6:00pm

On Monday, 29 June 2026, the Permanent Missions of Turkmenistan and Finland, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Transnational Threats Department, the �鶹APP Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), and the �鶹APP Office of Counter-Terrorism (OCT), are co-organizing a side event on “National and Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategies: Insights and Practical Lessons Learned, Including through Strengthening Prevention and PCVE.”

The global landscape of terrorism has evolved rapidly, presenting States and regions with a complex mix of traditional and emerging threats, including transnational networks, and the use of new technologies. In response, States have increasingly sought to develop strategies that are coherent, adaptable to evolving threat environments, and respectful of human rights, while engaging a wide range of stakeholders beyond traditional law enforcement agencies. The degree of such engagement varies among States and regions, offering diverse lessons regarding effectiveness and implementation.

The side event aims to capture practical lessons learned from the development and implementation of national and regional comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism strategies, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. It will highlight how cooperation with the �鶹APP — including CTED and its partners — has contributed to the formulation, implementation and review of such strategies. The side event will also take into account the non-binding Valletta Principles on National and Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategies (A/79/912-S/2025/306). The event will feature case examples from two Member States, Turkmenistan and Finland. Both Member States have been visited by CTED on behalf of the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee. Other visited Member States will also share their practices and lessons learned.

The event is co-sponsored by two key partners, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, which work closely with the �鶹APP, including CTED, particularly in the context of Counter-Terrorism Committee visits conducted by CTED on the Committee’s behalf. Both partners will share their relevant experiences in developing regional counter-terrorism strategies and supporting Member States in the development and implementation of their own national counter-terrorism strategies.

Objectives

Against the above, the primary objectives of this side event are to gather and analyze experiences from Member States and regional organizations that have developed counter-terrorism strategies. Objectives include, but are not limited to:

To identify insights and lessons learned in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of counter-terrorism and PCVE strategies.
To share good practices, experiences, and challenges with a view to supporting Member States and regions in strengthening their counter-terrorism efforts.
To contribute to the broader �鶹APP knowledge base on effective, coherent, and human rights-compliant counter-terrorism strategies and approaches.
To enhance awareness among Member States, �鶹APP entities, and regional organizations of the counter-terrorism and PCVE strategies, policies, and implementation mechanisms presented.

The side event will also highlight how cooperation with the �鶹APP — including CTED and its partners — has contributed to the formulation, implementation and review of such strategies.

Draft agenda

17:00- 17:20 Opening remarks (3-4 min each)

Moderator: Mr. Ahmed Seif El-Dawla, Chief of Section, Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate

Minister-level representative or Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan (TBC)
Mr. Alexandre Zouev, Acting Under-Secretary-General of UNOCT (TBC)
Ms. Natalia Gherman, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate
Mr. Gianluca Esposito, Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe
Mr. Fejzo Numanaj, Officer-in-Charge, Deputy Head, Anti-Terrorism Issues, Action against Terrorism Unit, OSCE Transnational Threats Department

17:20-17:40 Presentations by Member States visited by the Counter-Terrorism Committee (2-3 minutes each)

Moderator: Mr. Ahmed Seif El-Dawla, Chief of Section, Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate

Finland - Ms. Tarja Mankkinen, Heads of Development, Police Department; Ministry of the Interior
Tajikistan - General Manuchehr Mahmudzoda, Head of the Unified Information Center; Office of the Prosecutor General
Montenegro - Ms. Tijana Šuković, Director General in the Ministry of Interior
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Malta
Norway

17:40-17:55 Q&A and, time permitting, interventions of up to 1 minute, based on registration through the following link: National and Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategies

Moderator: Ms. Jelena Jolic, Deputy Head, Counter-Terrorism Division - Council of Europe

17:55-18:00 Concluding remarks

Moderator: Ambassador Päivi Kairamo - Counter-Terrorism Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland

Ms. Natalia Gherman, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate
Turkmenistan

Logistics

The side event will take place at United Nations Headquarters in Conference Room 8 from 17:00 to 18:00 p.m. and is open to Member and Observer States, members of the media including photographers with valid accreditation, �鶹APP staff and interns, UN entities, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies, as well as invited guests with a valid UN grounds pass.

Prior registration is required for all those wishing to attend, whether in-person or online. Please register here.

Due to limited capacity, in-person seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be confirmed prior to the event.

In-person attendees must also register on Indico.

The side event will be webcast at https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k17/k17c0ye877.

The side event will be conducted in English.

The draft concept note and agenda are available here.

For any questions, kindly contact:

Substantive matters:

Mr. Roman Bryulgart
Legal Officer, CTED
bryulgart@un.org

Logistical matters:

Ms. Venetia Giannisi

Legal Assistant, CTED

venetia.giannisi@un.org

To find out more about CTED’s activities for Counter-Terrorism Week, please visit our dedicated page.

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CT Week Side Event | Joining forces to counter terrorism financing in the context of evolving threats and emerging technologies

AKHVEDELID — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:42:00 +0000

Monday, 29 June 2026 - 1:15pm to 2:45pm

To ensure coherent support to Member States in their efforts to address evolving terrorism financing threats and implement relevant international standards and guidelines in full compliance with their obligations under international law, the Permanent Missions of France and India to the �鶹APP, the �鶹APP Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), the �鶹APP Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) , and the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) are co-organizing a dedicated side-event on the margins of the High-Level Counter-Terrorism Week, with the participation and support of other key partners.

The side-event titled, “Joining forces to counter terrorism financing in the context of evolving threats and emerging technologies” will take place on Monday, 29 June 2026, from 13:15 to 14:45 EDT, and will be held in a hybrid format (�鶹APP Headquarters, conference room 8 + Webex).

The event will highlight the new and emerging risks and trends in terrorism financing and draw attention to the priority gaps and challenges requiring support from relevant international and regional organizations.

The discussions will promote a risk-based approach to countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) which lies at the core of Security Council resolution 2462 (2019), the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the Counter-Terrorism Committee’s Delhi Declaration and “Non-binding guiding principles on preventing, detecting and disrupting the use of new and emerging financial technologies for terrorist purposes”, as well as the Recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force, and underscore the need for proportionate counter- terrorism financing measures to address the identified risks and challenges while ensuring the appropriate balance between innovation, financial inclusion and security.

Participants will reflect on persisting challenges, including with respect to cross-border access to digital evidence, financial intelligence and information-sharing in the context of platforms and service providers operating in multiple jurisdictions and use of encrypted communication systems, gaps in regulation and supervision of crowdfunding and other online fundraising tools, conducting financial investigations within digital ecosystems, as well as the need to continuously update common understanding of risks and emerging typologies.

The event will bring together relevant senior officials and counter-financing of terrorism experts from Members States, �鶹APP entities, international, subregional and regional organizations, and CFT experts from academia and civil society as well as the private sector.

Draft agenda

13:15 - 13:40 High-level opening remarks

H.E. Ambassador Olivier Caron, Special Envoy for Counter-Terrorism and Organized Crime, French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs
H.E. Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, Permanent Representative of India to the �鶹APP
Assistant Secretary-General Natalia Gherman, Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED)
Mr. Mauro Miedico, Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT / UNCCT)
Ms. Naureen Chowdhury Fink, Executive Director of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT)

13:40 - 13:45 Keynote remarks

Ms. Elisa de Anda Madrazo, President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

13:45 - 14:40 Panel discussion

Ms. Pauline Ennouchy, Head of Sanctions Section, French Treasury
Dr. Shri Smarak Swain, Director, Department of Revenue, Government of India - Ministry of Finance; Co-Chair of FATF Working Group on Risks, Trends and Methods
Mr. Bartjan Wegter, Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, European Union
Ms. Carmen Munoz, Director of Counter-Terrorism, International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)
Mr. Guillermo Moncayo, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Inter‑American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) of the Organization of American States (OAS)
Mr. Alejandro Matta Maya, Policy Coordination Officer, Office of the Chief, Terrorism Prevention Branch, Division for Treaty Affairs, �鶹APP Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Dr. Nagham El Karhili, Membership & Programs Senior Lead, GIFCT
Ms. Emma O'Leary, Head of Humanitarian Policy Unit, Norwegian Refugee Council's (NRC)
Ms. Jeannine Ella A. Abatan, Senior Researcher, Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Dakar

14:40-14:45 Short interventions from the floor and closing

Ms. France Lemeunier, Programme Management Officer, Global Programme on Countering the Financing of Terrorism, UNOCT / UNCCT

Event moderated by Ms. Svetlana Martynova, Senior Legal Officer and Coordinator on Countering the Financing of Terrorism, CTED

Further details on the event, are available here.

You can watch the event here.

To find out more about CTED’s activities for Counter-Terrorism Week, please visit our dedicated page.

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CT Week Side Event | Addressing the Growing Threat of Terrorist Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems: International Cooperation and Implementation Priorities

VSINGH67 — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:08:00 +0000

uas_photo.jpg

New York– On 2 July 2026, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), Japan, the Republic of Korea, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates, the �鶹APP Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) co-organized a side event on the threat of terrorist use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

The objective of this side event was to discuss the evolving threat of UAS and to identify practical, implementation-focused approaches, enhance international cooperation, improve the alignment of legal, regulatory, technical, and operational responses, and strengthen coordination to better adapt to the threat of terrorist use of UAS.

Ms. Natalia Gherman, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of CTED, highlighted that the Abu Dhabi Guiding Principles adopted by the Counter-Terrorism Committee in 2023 represent a significant milestone, consolidating global expertise and reinforcing a shared commitment to prevent the use of UAS for terrorist purposes.

Mr. Jean-Philippe Morange, Senior Legal Officer at CTED, stressed that while UAS have become a credible and evolving terrorist threat, counter-UAS strategies and technologies remain limited, with States instead relying on fragmented aviation, criminal, and security laws.

Resources

The concept note and agenda for the side event is available here.

You can watch the event here.

Photos from the side event are available here.

Remarks and presentations shared by the participants:

Ms. Natalia Gherman, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate

For more information about CTED’s other events at 2026 Counter-Terrorism Week, please visit this page.

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