UAE donates US$350,000 to support UN Counter-Terrorism Centre

The United Arab Emirates has donated US$350,000 to support the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre’s activities for the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

During a meeting with Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, the UAE's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, said the contribution came at a crucial time in the context of the Secretary-General’s initiative to reform the United Nations counter-terrorism architecture.

"The international community must unify its efforts to counter terrorism and extremist ideologies," Lana Zaki Nusseibeh said. "With its support for the work of the UNCCT, the UAE lends the perspective of a country with deep experience in countering extremism and terrorism, and a unique model of promoting tolerance, engaging youth, and empowering women as a means of prevention."

Mr. Feltman expressed appreciation for the contribution of the UAE and emphasised that it would enhance the ability of the UNCCT to support Member States in their efforts to prevent violent extremism and counter terrorism, which have become key challenges to international peace and security.

"The UAE plays an important role at the regional and global levels in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism," he said. "The country has demonstrated great vision and leadership in promoting inter-cultural tolerance and harmony through meaningful and concrete actions."

UNCCT was established in 2011 within the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force Office in the Department of Political Affairs. It provides capacity-building support for member states in implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

The General Assembly has called on Member States to provide resources and voluntary contributions to the UNCCT.

An initial contribution from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia led to the establishment of the centre. There are now over twenty donors to the UN’s counter-terrorism Trust Fund.