UNITED NATIONS, Sept 10 (APP): Pakistan has underscored the need for capacity building of states as part of United Nations’ counter-terrorism efforts. “Our efforts (against the scourge of terrorism) would make a difference on the ground only when capacity building needs of states are met,” Pakistan’s U.N. Ambassador Masood Khan told a meeting of the Advisory Board of the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) on Monday. The Pakistani envoy praised Saudi Arabia’s contribution of $100 million for U.N.’s counter terrorism projects, saying it helps address the funding deficit. “This raises our hopes and ambitions in many areas,” he added.
The UNCCT, based at UN Headquarters in New York, was launched in 2011 with the help of a voluntary contribution from the Saudi Government.
Operating under the UN Secretary-General and the umbrella of the Department of Political Affairs, the Centre contributes to the implementation of the 2006 UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and engages with over 30 entities with expertise on a wide range of counter-terrorism related subjects.
“The work of the Center is now on track,” Masood Khan told delegates, adding, “The focus of projects is essentially on promoting consensus and international cooperation. We are glad that instead of initiating grand plans, doable and action-oriented projects in the area of capacity building figure prominently in the next year’s program of work.”
The UNCCT, he noted, was transitioning now to the advanced project management methods. He hoped that it would lead to improved project planning, implementation and oversight, clear roles and obligations, and the most ambitious of all, the measurement of impact of these projects.
“We are happy that comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism is now becoming a catchword, the Pakistani envoy said. He emphasized the need to address the conditions that lead to the spread of terrorism. “Deprivation, marginalization, exclusion, unresolved disputes and stereotyping often create conditions for a drift to terrorism,” he said.
During Pakistan’s presidency of the Security Council in January 2013, the presidential statement of the Council had highlighted the need for bringing together development and counter terrorism efforts as part of the comprehensive approach to counter terrorism. Pakistan’s 3-D policy based on deterrence, development and dialogue had paid dividends.
Noting that one member state has proposed a conference on security-development linkages, he hoped that potential areas of disagreement like developing a common approach on security and development would be addressed to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Operating under the UN Secretary-General and the umbrella of the Department of Political Affairs, the Centre contributes to the implementation of the 2006 UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and engages with over 30 entities with expertise on a wide range of counter-terrorism related subjects.
“The work of the Center is now on track,” Masood Khan told delegates, adding, “The focus of projects is essentially on promoting consensus and international cooperation. We are glad that instead of initiating grand plans, doable and action-oriented projects in the area of capacity building figure prominently in the next year’s program of work.”
The UNCCT, he noted, was transitioning now to the advanced project management methods. He hoped that it would lead to improved project planning, implementation and oversight, clear roles and obligations, and the most ambitious of all, the measurement of impact of these projects.
“We are happy that comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism is now becoming a catchword, the Pakistani envoy said. He emphasized the need to address the conditions that lead to the spread of terrorism. “Deprivation, marginalization, exclusion, unresolved disputes and stereotyping often create conditions for a drift to terrorism,” he said.
During Pakistan’s presidency of the Security Council in January 2013, the presidential statement of the Council had highlighted the need for bringing together development and counter terrorism efforts as part of the comprehensive approach to counter terrorism. Pakistan’s 3-D policy based on deterrence, development and dialogue had paid dividends.
Noting that one member state has proposed a conference on security-development linkages, he hoped that potential areas of disagreement like developing a common approach on security and development would be addressed to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Source: APP
