Statement by Mr. SUZUKI Takahiro, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, on the ninth UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS) Review
2026/7/1
(As delivered)
Mr President,
Before proceeding, I wish to place on record that, due to a technical error, Japan's vote on the draft resolution on the ninth review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy was registered as an abstention. I should like to clarify that Japan's intention was to vote in favour of the resolution, and my delegation has already conveyed this intention in writing to the Secretariat. We would be grateful if this could be duly reflected in the record of today's meeting.
Now I would like to express our view on GCTS which was adopted by majority of votes.
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Ambassador Elina Kalkku and Ambassador Omar Hilale, as well as the Permanent Mission of Finland and Morrocco and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) for their consistent effort throughout this process in organising the series of sessions.
GCTS is a fundamental framework for global counter-terrorism efforts. With a view to preserving its consistency, Japan has remained engaged in the whole process. While there have been different views expressed during the negotiation, Japan firmly believes that it is essential to maintain our unity and the coherence of four main pillars in the Strategy.
In light of the UN80 Initiatives, Japan supports efforts to streamline and simplify the document in order to make it a more concise, strategic, and effective. It has to be noted that, throughout this review process, a number of Member States have expressed interests for this approach and recognise its value. Looking ahead to the 10th review, Japan believes that all Member States should work together toward the common goal of further streamlining and simplification of the document, with solid determination and candid discussion.
The global threat of terrorism continues to evolve rapidly and is becoming even more complex, driven by the growing misuse of emerging technologies such as AI and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and the online space such as virtual assets and gaming, to name a few. We look forward to engaging in even more substantive discussions among all Member States, to reflect these modern transitions in the Strategy in the upcoming 10th review.
In closing, let me invite all Member States to pause and return to first principles. The original purpose of GCTS is to address the evolving threat caused by terrorism through a coherent, collective, and forward-looking framework. To that end, we must envision together what the GCTS of a new era should look like — boldly, and with the patience to take the time this task deserves. We cannot afford to stand still. Japan, for its part, will spare no effort to that end. For if we go together, we can go further.
Thank you.
Before proceeding, I wish to place on record that, due to a technical error, Japan's vote on the draft resolution on the ninth review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy was registered as an abstention. I should like to clarify that Japan's intention was to vote in favour of the resolution, and my delegation has already conveyed this intention in writing to the Secretariat. We would be grateful if this could be duly reflected in the record of today's meeting.
Now I would like to express our view on GCTS which was adopted by majority of votes.
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Ambassador Elina Kalkku and Ambassador Omar Hilale, as well as the Permanent Mission of Finland and Morrocco and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) for their consistent effort throughout this process in organising the series of sessions.
GCTS is a fundamental framework for global counter-terrorism efforts. With a view to preserving its consistency, Japan has remained engaged in the whole process. While there have been different views expressed during the negotiation, Japan firmly believes that it is essential to maintain our unity and the coherence of four main pillars in the Strategy.
In light of the UN80 Initiatives, Japan supports efforts to streamline and simplify the document in order to make it a more concise, strategic, and effective. It has to be noted that, throughout this review process, a number of Member States have expressed interests for this approach and recognise its value. Looking ahead to the 10th review, Japan believes that all Member States should work together toward the common goal of further streamlining and simplification of the document, with solid determination and candid discussion.
The global threat of terrorism continues to evolve rapidly and is becoming even more complex, driven by the growing misuse of emerging technologies such as AI and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and the online space such as virtual assets and gaming, to name a few. We look forward to engaging in even more substantive discussions among all Member States, to reflect these modern transitions in the Strategy in the upcoming 10th review.
In closing, let me invite all Member States to pause and return to first principles. The original purpose of GCTS is to address the evolving threat caused by terrorism through a coherent, collective, and forward-looking framework. To that end, we must envision together what the GCTS of a new era should look like — boldly, and with the patience to take the time this task deserves. We cannot afford to stand still. Japan, for its part, will spare no effort to that end. For if we go together, we can go further.
Thank you.