Global conference of national counter-terrorism chiefs to strengthen cooperation,UN

NEW YORK, 22 June. - (ANA) - Heads of counter-terrorism agencies from across the world will be meeting at UN Headquarters in New York next week for the first time, to pool expertise, resources and ideas to fight back against the growing scourge of international terrorism.

In an interview with UN News ahead of the landmark forum, the official who heads up the world body's Office of Counter-Terrorism - which came into being just a year ago - said that it would give those leading the fight from a local to international level, the chance to "show our unity" and speak with "one professional voice".

Under-Secretary-General of the Office of Counter-Terrorism, Vladimir Voronkov, said that defeating terror groups such as ISIL, otherwise known as Dae'sh, which has been mostly driven out of Iraq in the past year, must involve "the family level – the level of local communities, the level of State, and the level of international cooperation. Only this kind of approach can be comprehensive."

The High-Level Conference on Counter-Terrorism, takes placed next Thursday and Friday, and will focus on strengthening cooperation "to combat the evolving threat of terrorism."

Civil society representatives and experts in the field will be joining "the majority of heads of agencies from all around the world" said Mr. Voronkov; which was vital to ensure a united front on how best to move forward, and build resilience.

"It's important to have capacity-building projects," said the UN counter-terrorism chief, adding that it would be a major help to countries which need help to expel terrorist groups, and shut down terror cells, "to build this resilient environment."

"So I think after the defeat of ISIL, the building up of this resilient society, the resilient State; this is the main task for counter-terrorism activities," he said.  - (ANA) -

AB/ANA/22 June 2018 - - -