Abu Dhabi, Jul 30 (Emirates 247): The UAE has delivered a statement at the UN General Assembly, renewing its commitment to international measures to eliminate international terrorism.

The statement was delivered by Ahmed Al Mahmoud, Charge d’Affaires at the Permanent Mission of the UAE to the UN, who thanked UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres for his tireless efforts to improve the UN system’s approach to combat terrorism. The UAE reaffirmed its confidence in the newly established UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, which will coordinate international efforts and enhance cooperation between states and UN entities in preventing extremism and combating terrorism.

The UAE congratulated Vladimir Ivanovich Voronkov on his appointment as Under-Secretary-General of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, and strongly urged the Office to ensure a balanced implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, focusing on prevention. Also, the UAE expressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with international institutions and organisations involved in countering terrorism, to share best practices and coordinate efforts.

The UAE emphasised its work with regional and international partners to combat Daesh and other terrorist organisations through its active participation in the Global Coalition Against Daesh, and as a co-chair of the Coalition’s Counter-Messaging Working Group.

The UAE statement highlighted the country’s multilateral contributions to restoring stability and security, including a recent donation of US$350,000 to the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre, UNCCT, aimed at assisting states with the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Another example includes the Sawab Centre, which was established by the UAE in collaboration with the US to combat extremist messages through social media.

The statement stressed the importance of meaningful participation of youth and the centrality of providing them with real opportunities to protect them from falling prey to extremist groups.

The UAE emphasised the important role of its Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Shamma bint Sohail Faris AlMazrui, in facilitating youth participation in decision-making processes, as well as the role of Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance, in promoting understanding and respect for religion and cultures.

"The UAE firmly believes that the empowerment of women is a key counter measure in challenging violent extremist narratives and groups", said Mr. Al Mahmoud, emphasising the UAE’s assistance to UN Women to increase the participation of women, as well as to integrate gender throughout counter-terrorism frameworks.

In closing, the UAE recalled the historic Riyadh Summit held in May 2017 where more than 55 Arab and Muslim countries, and the US, committed to strengthening cooperation and improving coordination to counter extremism and achieve international security and stability.