Unofficial transcript 
October 8, 2012
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES:  Mr. Chairman, it's my honor on behalf of our delegation of the UAE to congratulate you upon your election as chair of the Sixth Committee.  I wish you and the members of the bureau success.
I'd also like to thank and pay a tribute to the Secretary General for his report having to do with this agenda item and also for the valuable information that strengthens international efforts seeking to vanquish international terrorism.  
Mr. Chairman, in spite of the intensified efforts that are still being deployed by the international community to this date in order to defeat and combat terrorism internationally in all its forms, still we regret to say that the international community continues to see more and more serious and dangerous forms of terrorism and organized crime which have a disastrous impact on regional and international peace and security.
If we take a quiet look at the events that have taken place in the last decade, the 11th of September 2001 and the different acts in Asia, Europe and Africa as well as what has happened in the Middle East, in addition to organized state terrorism and terrorism practiced in the Palestinian Territories, Occupied Territories, and Arab Territories and in Syria -- all of that proves that the source shows that these actions are not related to a nationality, religious dogma or culture.  
Quite the contrary, these actions are based on hatred, extremism and irresponsibility.  Consequently, we vigorously condemn terrorist aggression that victimized the U.S. Ambassador in Benghazi, Libya, last month, as well as all terrorist acts against diplomatic missions as a reaction to the denigration of monotheistic religions.  We call on the international community to pursue its efforts in order to implement this fight against this phenomenon based on UN Charter principles, international law principles and on international humanitarian law principles.  These efforts are in addition to the UN Global Counterterrorism Strategy.  
And of course, these efforts must continue to be revised periodically in order to completely vanquish all acts of terrorism.  
While we call on all states to assume their responsibility and not to encourage incitement or hatred against religious and cultural symbols, and to condemn provocative acts against Islam, we would also at the same time like to strengthen and to encourage rapprochement of religions and civilizations so as to increase peace and tolerance, to bring more justice to international law and to bring greater respect for human rights.
Mr. Chairman, we hope that all states will exhibit flexibility in order to reach an international agreement in the near future having to do with pending questions regarding the convention to combat global terrorism.  We hope that we will have an agreement on counterterrorism soon.  We think that we should hold an international conference under UN auspices in order to define clearly what is terrorism, and to make a distinction between the rights of people to be responsible for themselves according to the Charter from the underlying causes of terrorism.  Technical assistance must be strengthened given to developing countries in order to build their capacities as they combat terrorism and as they cooperate with the international community on this.  We would also like to see international plans that will strengthen assistance to victims of terrorism. 
Mr. Chairman, the UAE is pursuing policies and measures to fight against the phenomenon of terrorism and the financing of terrorism.  We're taking intelligent measures in legislation and other measures that seek to combat this phenomenon.  We've adopted a number of mechanisms in the area of poverty reduction, education, strengthening intercultural dialogue and in some other areas as well.
At the same time, our government has proceeded to assess and pass national legislation; for example, legislation on money laundering and prosecuting transnational crimes, small arms, light weapons, drugs, for example.  We have devoted all of our potential and our national expertise to coordinate with international and regional mechanisms and subregional mechanisms in order to combat exploitation of Emirate lands, space and water to carry out terrorist and criminal acts.  
We have also controlled strictly our ports and our sea and land corridors, and air corridors in order to prevent the transfer of materials that could become mechanisms that fall into the hands of terrorist groups.  We have also taken measures to strengthen nuclear nonproliferation.  At the same time, we have consolidated our cooperation with a number of regional and international partners by controlling bank accounts, suspect investments that might be financing terrorism.  
At the same time, we've cooperated regarding military activities that strengthen the efforts internationally to combat terrorism.  Internationally and regionally, the state through its different partnerships, through states or regional or international organizations, we've strengthened our cooperation through joining a number of international and regional conventions as well.
In cooperation with friends and stakeholders, we created the Center of Excellence to combat extreme -- violent extremism which will begin its work in Abu Dhabi at the end of this year.  
Mr. Chairman, in conclusion, we have the hope that our debates under this agenda item will produce some specific conclusions, ones that will strengthen the efforts of counterterrorism, ones that will create a world where the principles of equality and prosperity and peaceful coexistence will prevail among peoples and civilizations.  
Thank you.