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Delivered by Mr. Weixiong Chen, Deputy Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate
I am pleased to send greetings to the Seventh International Meeting of High Level Representatives on Security Issues, and I thank the Russian Federation for hosting. Violent extremism and terrorism present an increasing threat to peace and security, sustainable development, human rights and efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance. Terrorists and violent extremists are evolving and refining their methods, including cyber skills. They are finding new ways to recruit, raise funds and spread their message of hate and intolerance, particularly among young people. We must respond accordingly. No single country or region can solve this problem. As I propose in my Report on the Implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, we need to urgently develop a new agenda
for international cooperation. The international community needs to unite in providing our young men and women hope for the future. The Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism proposes a comprehensive and balanced approach for global, regional and national action. National ownership will be critical, as any measure to prevent violent extremism should be tailored to the local context. Therefore, the Plan of Action is not a ‘one size fits all’ solution. Instead, it offers a menu of recommendations. Member States will have the opportunity to consider my Report on the Implementation of the Strategy and the Plan of Action during the Fifth Review of the Global Strategy in June. I look forward to the adoption, by consensus, of a strong General Assembly resolution that will guide our response to terrorism and violent extremism for years to come. The UN system stands ready to support Member States in countering terrorism and addressing the drivers of violent extremism. While recognizing the importance of countering these threats, to be effective, we also need to focus on preventive action by providing inclusive, long-term political solutions to current crises and working intensively to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Among our priorities, we must address the growing challenge presented by large movements of refugees and migrants. These large movements of people are caused by many factors, including conflict, systematic persecution, human rights violations, structural discrimination, extreme poverty and increasing inequality. Our response must be guided by joint and comprehensive approaches. To counter migrant smuggling and human trafficking, effective cooperation is essential. Borders need to be managed collaboratively and in line with the rights of those on the move, and law enforcement agencies need to work together to ensure the prosecution of those involved in the exploitation of refugees and migrants. However, as well as addressing the immediate challenges, we have to see forced displacement as a symptom of severe and deep-rooted factors that threaten regional and international security. These symptoms tell us that we must intensify our efforts to prevent and resolve conflict and ensure the inclusive and peaceful development of our societies. As we move towards the 19 September high-level meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants, I urge you to reflect on how best we can provide for safe, legal and well managed movement that is in the best interests of all.