Statement by H.E. Ambassador Yasuhisa Kawamura, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the General Assembly on the: Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review

Thank you, Mr. President.
 
          Allow me to express my sincere gratitude to you for convening today’s important plenary meeting on the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review. My appreciation also goes to Finland and Jordan for their tremendous efforts in facilitating the Review discussion.
 
          The threat of terrorism has been evolving and spreading globally. The adoption of the Sixth Review Resolution today by consensus reaffirms the commitment of all Member States to combat terrorism and prevent violent extremism conducive to terrorism.
          We discussed through the Review the threat of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs), including returning and relocating FTFs. To detect these FTFs and discover their networks, it is vitally important to take collective measures to use Advance Passenger Information, API, Passenger Name Record, PNR, and biometric data as well as to connect INTERPOL databases to law enforcement, border security and customs agencies. In addition to Security Council Resolution 2396, the Sixth Review Resolution reaffirms the importance of API, PNR, biometric data and INTERPOL databases connected to border checkpoints. We believe this part is one of the most significant added-value elements of the resolution, and thus we must redouble our efforts to implement it. Japan has been underscoring the importance of these measures through the Review discussion. We provide technical assistance and capacity building to Member States who need it.
 
          Let me also stress the importance of the role of civil society, community leaders, women and youth in tackling counter-terrorism and preventing violent extremism. For instance, the role of women includes shaping communities and family values, identifying and intervening at an early stage, early signs of radicalization, and using various forms of media to promote counter narratives. Let me introduce one of the successful projects Japan has contributed to women’s empowerment through UN Women. This project was to identify former hostages of Boko Haram and empower those women by providing training on small business management skills and economic kits that enable the women to start small businesses. In fact, our projects have shown several examples of how protecting and empowering women contributes to counter-terrorism and preventing violent extremism.
          In this regard, we would have wanted to see stronger language in the Sixth Review Resolution to recognize the role of these actors.
 
Mr. President,
 
          The adoption of the Sixth Review Resolution today by consensus was a landmark event for renewing our commitment to counter-terrorism. But this is not the end. Now we must implement that which we have adopted, and I urge all Member States to take concrete actions on the basis of the Strategy and this Review Resolution.
 
I thank you, Mr. President.