OSCE and UNOCT strengthen co-operation during Third United Nations Counter-Terrorism Week

NEW YORK, 23 June 2023 – The OSCE renewed its commitment to strengthen co-operation in countering terrorism during the 2023 United Nations Counter-Terrorism Week, which took place between 19 and 23 June.

“Over the years, the OSCE has intensified its efforts to address transnational threats and global challenges through a comprehensive strategy focused on preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism, ensuring border security, combatting transnational organized crime, and promoting professional and democratic policing,” said Ambassador Alena Kupchyna, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats.

During her address to the opening session of the High-Level Conference, Kupchyna highlighted the longstanding co-operation between the UN and OSCE.

“This year marks the 30-year-anniversary of the Framework for Co-operation and Co-ordination between the UN and the OSCE. This document serves as a pathway to enhance the strategic alignment between our organizations at all levels, from technical co-operation and capacity-building to high-level political collaboration,” she added.

Exemplifying the close working relationship between the UN and OSCE, Ambassador Kupchyna met with Vladimir Voronkov, Under Secretary General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), Natalia Gherman, Executive Director of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (UN CTED), and Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.

Counter-Terrorism Week was an opportunity to foster dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge sharing between states, international organizations, intergovernmental agencies, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector on matters related to counter-terrorism.

Two side events were co-organized by the OSCE together with the UNOCT, UN CTED, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Council of Europe, Austria, Canada, Finland and Mexico.

The first event promoted Good practices for managing violent extremist prisoners, stressing the need for human-centred, multi-stakeholder rehabilitation and reintegration efforts that support individuals’ return to becoming functioning members of society.

The second emphasized the need to understand and address the role of masculinities in the context of terrorism and violent extremism across the ideological spectrum.

“Our work on understanding violent misogyny and masculinity within violent extremism complements our broader commitments to gender equality, including under the Women, Peace, and Security agenda,” said Camilla Bognoe, OSCE Senior Adviser on Anti-terrorism Issues.

Counter-Terrorism Week concluded with renewed determination to combat terrorism and promote global peace and security, highlighted by the adoption of the eighth biennial review resolution of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.