On September 14, 2021, the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened. Every year, UNGA brings together high-level representatives of the 193 Member States, yielding a unique opportunity for multilateral discussions on a wide array of issues, including threats and challenges to international peace and security posed by terrorists and terrorist organizations. This year¡¯s high-level meeting will be held under the theme ¡°Building resilience through hope ¨C to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people and revitalize the United Nations.¡±
Throughout the last year and a half, the COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably impacted the geopolitical landscape, and other areas of the global policy spectrum, including counter-terrorism. In this regard, CTED has been and continues to be at the forefront in identifying the impact of the pandemic on terrorism, counter-terrorism, and countering violent extremism, including with its third analytical paper published in June this year. As we are moving towards the ¡°next normal¡±, it is essential to overcome the obstacles presented to the international community through strong cooperation at the local, national, regional and international levels with close engagement with a broad range of partners.
The high-level week will provide another welcome opportunity for CTED to build upon its continued and robust dialogue with Member States; advance the objectives of the Security Council resolutions and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy; discuss the risks and challenges associated with the evolving terrorist threat landscape throughout the pandemic; and provide tailored support and guidance in the global efforts to counter terrorism.