United Nations A/RES/70/291 Distr.: General 19 July 2016 General Assembly Seventieth session Agenda item 117 Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 1 July 2016 [without reference to a Main Committee (A/70/L.55)] 70/291. The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review The General Assembly, Reaffirming the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, contained in General Assembly resolution 60/288 of 8 September 2006, and recalling Assembly resolution 68/276 of 13 June 2014, which called for, inter alia, an examination of the report of the Secretary-General on the progress made in the implementation of the Strategy and of the implementation of the Strategy by Member States and for consideration to be given to updating the Strategy to respond to changes, Recalling the pivotal role of the General Assembly in following up the implementation and the updating of the Strategy, Recalling also General Assembly resolution 66/10 of 18 November 2011, recognizing the important work carried out by the United Nations Counter Terrorism Centre, established within the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force Office, and its role in building the capacity of Member States to counter and respond to terrorism, noting with appreciation its continued contribution to strengthening United Nations counter-terrorism efforts, and encouraging Member States to provide resources and voluntary contributions to the Centre in this regard, Renewing its unwavering commitment to strengthening international cooperation to prevent and combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and reaffirming that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, Reaffirming that terrorism and violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group, Recalling the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, 1 _______________ 1 Resolutions 53/243 A and B. Please recycle 15-17045 (E) *1517045* A/RES/70/291 The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review Noting with appreciation the continued contribution of United Nations entities and the subsidiary bodies of the Security Council to the work of the Counter Terrorism Implementation Task Force, Reaffirming its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and unity of all States in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, Recognizing that international cooperation and any measures taken by Member States to prevent and combat terrorism, as well as to prevent violent extre mism as and when conducive to terrorism, must fully comply with their obligations under international law, including the Charter, in particular the purposes and principles thereof, and relevant international conventions and protocols, in particular human rights law, refugee law and international humanitarian law, Convinced that the General Assembly is the competent organ, with universal membership, to address the issue of international terrorism, Mindful of the need to enhance the role of the United Natio ns and the specialized agencies, within their mandates, in the implementation of the Strategy, Underlining the fact that the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force should continue to carry out its activities within the framework of its mandate, with policy guidance offered by Member States through interaction with the Gener al Assembly on a regular basis, Reaffirming that the acts, methods and practices of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations are activities aimed at the destruction of human r ights, fundamental freedoms and democracy, at threatening territorial integrity and the security of States and at destabilizing legitimately constituted Governments, and that the international community should take the necessary steps to enhance cooperation to prevent and combat terrorism in a decisive, unified, coordinated, inclusive and transparent manner, Reiterating the obligation of Member States to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts and to criminalize the wilful provision or collect ion, by any means, directly or indirectly, of funds by their nationals or in their territories, with the intention that the funds be used, or with the knowledge that they are to be used, in order to carry out terrorist acts, Recognizing the importance of preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit use of small arms and light weapons by terrorists, Recognizing also the role of the partnerships of regional and subregional organizations with the United Nations in combating terrorism, and encouraging the CounterTerrorism Implementation Task Force, in accordance with its mandate, to closely cooperate and coordinate with regional and subregional organizations in their efforts to combat terrorism, Alarmed by the acts of intolerance, violent extremism cond ucive to terrorism, violence, including sectarian violence, and terrorism in various parts of the world, which claim innocent lives, cause destruction and displace people, and rejecting the use of violence, regardless of motivation, Expressing grave concern over the acute and growing threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, namely, individuals who travel to a State other than their States of residence or nationality for the purpose of the perpetration, planning or preparation of, or participation in, terrorist acts or providing or receiving terrorist training, 2/15 The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review A/RES/70/291 including in connection with armed conflict, emphasizing the need for States to address this issue, including through the implementation of their international obligations, and underlining the importance of United Nations capacity-building and facilitation of capacity-building in accordance with existing mandates to assist States, including those in the most affected regions, upon their request, Expressing concern that terrorists may benefit from transnational organized crime in some regions, including from the trafficking of arms, persons, drugs and cultural property and from the illicit trade in natural resources, including oil, and in oil products, modular refineries and related material, go ld and other precious metals and stones, minerals, charcoal and wildlife, as well as from kidnapping for ransom and other crimes, including extortion, money-laundering and bank robbery, and condemning the destruction of cultural heritage perpetrated by ter rorist groups in some countries, Strongly condemning the systematic recruitment and use of children to perpetrate terrorist attacks, as well as the violations and abuses committed by terrorist groups against children, including killing and maiming, abduct ion and rape and other forms of sexual violence, and noting that such violations and abuses may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity, Expressing deep concern about the connections, in some cases, between some forms of transnational organized crime and terrorism, and emphasizing the need to enhance cooperation at the national, subregional, regional and international levels in order to strengthen responses to this evolving challenge, Recognizing the commitment of all religions to peace, and deter mined to condemn acts of violent extremism conducive to terrorism and incitement to commit terrorist acts that spread hate and threaten lives, Taking note of the report of the Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, 2 including its conclusions and recommendations, Recognizing the role that victims of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations can play, including in countering the appeal of terrori sm, and emphasizing the need to promote international solidarity in support of victims of terrorism and to ensure that victims of terrorism are tr eated with dignity and respect, Affirming the importance of education as a tool to help to prevent terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, and welcoming the engagement of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization with Member States to implement strategies to prevent violent extremism conducive to terrorism through education, Noting the important contribution of women to the implementation of the Strategy, and encouraging Member States, United Nations entities and international, regional and subregional organizations to ensure the participation and leadership of women in efforts to prevent violent extremism and counter terrorism, Expressing deep concern that acts of sexual and gender-based violence are known to be part of the strategic objectives and ideology of certain terrorist groups and are used as an instrument to increase their power through supporting financing and recruitment and through the destruction of communities, _______________ 2 A/HRC/25/59. 3/15 A/RES/70/291 The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review Noting the important and positive contribution of youth in efforts to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism conducive to terrorism, as well as for the promotion of peace and security, and in this regard expressing concern about the danger of recruitment and radicalization to terrorism, including in prisons, Stressing the importance of the development and maintenance of effective, fair, humane, transparent and accountable criminal justice systems, taking into account, inter alia, the rights and needs of children, in accordance with applicable international law, as a fundamental basis of any strategy to counter terrorism, calling for Member States' continued efforts to combat terrorism through national legislation and establish such justice systems, and further stressing the need for training of professionals in the criminal justice systems of Member States, upon their request, including through bilateral and multilateral programmes and experience-sharing with a view to developing a common understanding of threats and providing an effective response, Stressing also that a national criminal justice system based on respect for human rights and the rule of law, due process and fair trial guarantees is one of the best means for effectively countering terrorism and ensuring accountability, Taking note of the request by the Security Council to the Counter-Terrorism Committee to present a proposal to the Council by 30 April 2017 for a comprehensive international framework, with recommended guidelines and good practices to effectively counter, in compliance with international law, the ways that Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities use their narratives to encourage, motivate and recruit others to commit terrorist acts, including with a counter -narrative campaign, consistent with any similar campaign undertaken by the United Nations, as well as options for coordinating the implementation of the framework and mobilizing resources as necessary, Taking note also of the Geneva Conference on Preventing Violent Extremism: The Way Forward, co-hosted by the Government of Switzerland and the United Nations, held on 7 and 8 April 2016, Reaffirming the determination of Member States to continue to do all they can to resolve conflict, end foreign occupation, confront oppression, eradicate poverty, promote sustained economic growth, sustainable development, global prosperity, good governance, human rights for all and the rule of law, improve intercult ural understanding and ensure respect for all religions, religiou s values, beliefs and cultures, Reaffirming also the commitment of Member States to take measures aimed at addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, including but not limited to prolonged unresolved conflicts, dehumanization of victims of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, lack of the rule of law and violations of human rights, ethnic, national and religious discrimination, political exclusion, socioeconomic marginalization and lack of good governance, while recognizing that none of these conditions can excuse or justify acts of terrorism, 1. Reiterates its strong and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes; 4/15 The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review A/RES/70/291 2. Reaffirms the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy 3 and its four pillars, which constitute an ongoing effort, and calls upon Member States, the United Nations and other appropriate international, regional and subregional organizations to step up their efforts to implement the Strategy in an integrated and balanced manner and in all its aspects; 3. Stresses the importance of keeping the Strategy relevant and contemporary in the light of emerging new threats and evolving trends of international terrorism; 4. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General entitled "Activities of the United Nations system in implementing the United Nations Global Counter Terrorism Strategy", 4 welcomes the summary matrix of counterterrorism projects implemented by United Nations entities around the world 5 and the efforts deployed by the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force Office in this regard, and underlines the importance of providing the necessary resources for the implementation of these projects; 5. Also takes note of the measures that Member States and relevant international, regional and subregional organizations have adopted within the framework of the Strategy, as referred to in paragraph 22 of the report of the Secretary-General, which were considered at the fifth biennial review of the Strategy, on 30 June and 1 July 2016, all of which strengthen cooperation to fight terrorism, including through the exchange of best practices; 6. Reaffirms the principal responsibility of Member States to implement the Strategy, while further recognizing the need to enhance the important role that the United Nations, including the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, plays, in coordination with other international, regional and subregional organizations, as appropriate, in facilitating and promoting coordination and coherence in the implementation of the Strategy at the national, regional and global levels and in providing assistance, upon request by Member States, especially in the area of capacity-building; 7. Affirms the importance of the integrated and balanced i mplementation of all pillars of the Strategy, recognizing the need to redouble efforts for even attention paid to and even implementation of all the pillars of the Strategy; 8. Stresses the significance of a sustained and comprehensive approach, including through stronger efforts, where necessary, to address conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, bearing in mind that terrorism will not be defeated by military force, law enforcement measures and intelligence operations alone; 9. Recognizes the principal responsibility of Member States to implement the Strategy, while encouraging the further elaboration and development of national, subregional and regional plans, as appropriate, to support the implementation of the Strategy; 10. Encourages civil society, including non-governmental organizations, to engage, as appropriate, in efforts to enhance the implementation of the Strategy, including through interaction with Member States and the United Nations system, and _______________ 3 4 Resolution 60/288. A/70/826 and Corr.1. 5 Ibid., annex II. 5/15 A/RES/70/291 The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review encourages Member States and the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force and its entities to enhance engagement with civil society in accordance with their mandates, as appropriate, and to support its role in the implementation of the Strategy; 11. Encourages Member States to engage relevant local communities and non-governmental actors, where appropriate, in developing tailored strategies to counter the violent extremist narrative that can incite recruitment to terrorist groups and the commission of terrorist acts and to address the conditions conducive to the spread of violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism; 12. Calls upon all Member States, given the complex global security context today, to highlight the important role of women in countering terrorism and violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism, and urges Member States and United Nations entities to integrate a gender analysis on the drivers of radicalization of women to terrorism into their relevant programmes, to consider, when appropriate, the impacts of counter-terrorism strategies on women's human rights and women's organizations and to seek greater consultations with women and women's organizations when developing strategies to counter terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism; 13. Encourages Member States, United Nations entities, regional and subregional organizations and relevant actors to consider instituting mechanisms to involve youth in the promotion of a culture of peace, tolerance and intercultural and interreligious dialogue and develop, as appropriate, an understanding of respect for human dignity, pluralism and diversity, including, as appropriate, through education programmes, that could discourage their participation in acts of terrorism, violent extremism conducive to terrorism, violence, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination, also encourages Member States to empower youth through the promotion of media and information literacy by including youth in decision -making processes and considering practical ways to include youth in the development of relevant programmes and initiatives aimed at preventing violent extremism conducive to terrorism, and urges Member States to take effective measures, in conformity with international law, to protect young people affected or exp loited by terrorism or violent extremism conducive to terrorism; 14. Recognizes the need for Member States to prevent the abuse of non-governmental, non-profit and charitable organizations by and for terrorists, and calls upon non-governmental, non-profit and charitable organizations to prevent and oppose, as appropriate, attempts by terrorists to abuse the status of those organizations, while reaffirming the need to fully respect the rights to freedom of expression and association of individuals in civil society and to freedom of religion or belief of all persons; 15. Calls upon Member States and the United Nations entities involved in supporting counter-terrorism efforts to continue to facilitate the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as due process and the rule of law, while countering terrorism, and in this regard expresses serious concern at the occurrence of violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as of international refugee and humanitarian law, committed in the context of countering terrorism; 16. Stresses that when counter-terrorism efforts neglect the rule of law, at the national and international levels, and violate international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, international humanitarian law and refugee law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, they not only betray the values they seek to uphold, they may also further fuel violent extremism that can be conducive to terrorism; 6/15 The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review A/RES/70/291 17. Calls for greater coordination and coherence among the United Nations entities and with donors and recipients of counter-terrorism capacity-building, including in developing and maintaining effective and rule of law -based criminal justice systems, and also calls for dialogue to be enhanced among all stakeholders, with a view to placing national perspectives at the centre of such capacity -building in order to strengthen national ownership, while recognizing that rule of law activities must be anchored in a national context and that States have different national experiences in the development of their criminal justice systems, taking into account their legal, political, socioeconomic, cultural, religious and other local specificities, while also recognizing that there are common features founded on international norms and standards; 18. Reiterates that, given their potential status as victims of terrorism as well as of other violations of international law, every child alleged as, accused of or recognized as having infringed the law, particularly those who are deprived of their liberty, as well as child victims and witnesses of crimes, should be treated in a manner consistent with his or her rights, dignity and needs, in accordance with applicable international law, in particular obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 6 and, bearing in mind relevant international standards on human rights in the administration of justice in this regard, urges Member States to take relevant measures to effectively reintegrate children formerly associated with armed groups, including terrorist groups; 19. Urges all States to respect and protect the right to privacy, as set out in article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 7 and article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 8 including in the context of digital communication, also while countering terrorism, in accordance with international law, in particular international human rights law, and to take measures to ensure that interferences with or restrictions on that right are not arbitrary or unlawful and are subject to effective oversight and to appropriate redress, including through judicial review or other legal means; 20. Calls upon States, while countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism conducive to terrorism, to review their procedure s, practices and legislation regarding the surveillance of communications, their interception and the collection of personal data, including mass surveillance, interception and collection, with a view to upholding the right to privacy, as set out in articl e 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, by ensuring the full and effective implementation of all their obligations under international human rights law; 21. Urges Member States to ensure that any measures taken or means employed to counter terrorism, including the use of remotely piloted aircraft, comply with their obligations under international law, including the Charter, human rights law and international humanitarian law, in particular the principles of distinction and proportionality; 22. Urges States to ensure, in accordance with their obligations under international law and national regulations, and whenever international humanitarian _______________ 6 7 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1577, No. 27531. Resolution 217 A (III). 8 See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex. 7/15 A/RES/70/291 The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review law is applicable, that counter-terrorism legislation and measures do not impede humanitarian and medical activities or engagement with all relevant actors as foreseen by international humanitarian law; 23. Recognizes the work done and efforts made by the relevant United Nations bodies and entities and other international, regional and subregional organizations aimed at supporting, recognizing and protecting the rights of victims of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and urges them to step up their efforts to provide, upon request, technical assistance for building the capacity of Member States in the development and implementation of programmes of assistance and support for victims of terrorism; 24. Deeply deplores the suffering caused by terrorism to the victims of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and to their families, expresses its profound solidarity with them, encourages Member States to provide them with proper support and assistance while taking into account, inter alia, when appropriate, considerations regarding remembrance, dignity, respect, justice and truth, in accordance with international law; 25. Welcomes the efforts of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force to increase its transparency, accountability and effectiveness, and calls upon the Task Force and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre to improve the strategic nature and impact of their programmes and policies; 26. Calls upon States that have not done so to consider becoming parties in a timely manner to the existing international conventions and protocols against terrorism, and upon all States to make every effort to conclude a comprehensive convention on international terrorism, and recalls the commitments of Member States with regard to the implementation of General Assembly and Security Council resolutions relating to international terrorism; 27. Underlines, in that regard, the importance of greater coordination among United Nations entities and of the work of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force to ensure overall coordination and coherence in the counter-terrorism efforts of the United Nations system, as well as the need to continue promoting transparency and to avoid duplication in their work; 28. Recognizes the continued need to enhance the visibility and effectiveness of United Nations counter-terrorism activities and ensure greater cooperation, coordination and coherence among United Nations entities, with a view to maximizing synergies, promoting transparency and greater efficiencies and avoi ding duplication of their work; 29. Reaffirms the need for enhanced dialogue among the counter-terrorism officials, including among law enforcement entities and financial intelligence units, of Member States to promote international, regional and subregional cooperation and wider dissemination of knowledge of the Strategy in order to counter terrorism, and in that regard recalls the role of the United Nations system, in particular the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, in promoting international cooperation and capacity-building as elements of the Strategy; 30. Recognizes the role of the regional organizations, structures and strategies in combating terrorism, and encourages those entities to enhance interregional dialogue and cooperation and consider using best practices developed by other regions in their fight against terrorism, as appropriate, taking into account their specific regional and national circumstances; 8/15 The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review A/RES/70/291 31. Calls upon all Member States, in accordance with their obligations under applicable international law, including the Charter, to deny terrorist groups safe haven, freedom of operations, movement and recruitment and financial, material or political support, which endanger national, regional and international peace and security, and to bring to justice or, where appropriate, extradite, on the basis of the principle of extradite or prosecute, the perpetrators of terrorist acts or any person who supports, facilitates or participates or attempts to participate in the financing, planning or preparation of terrorist acts; 32. Urges Member States to provide full coordination and afford one another the greatest measure of assistance, in accordance with their obligations under international law, in criminal investigations or criminal proceedings relating to the financing or support of terrorist acts, especially with those States where, or against whose citizens, terrorist acts are committed, including obtaining evidence for the proceedings involving terrorist organizations, terrorist entities or foreign terrorist fighters, and recalls that all States must cooperate fully in the fight against terrorism on the basis of mutual legal assistance and the principle of extradite or pros ecute, welcoming their efforts to elaborate on the existing extradition and mutual legal assistance mechanisms; 33. Calls upon Member States to prevent refugee status from being abused by the perpetrators, organizers or facilitators of terrorist acts, als o calls upon Member States to take appropriate measures to ensure, before granting asylum, that the asylum-seeker has not planned, facilitated or participated in the commission of terrorist acts, while reaffirming the importance of protecting refugees and asylumseekers in accordance with States' obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law, refugee law and humanitarian law; 34. Urges Member States to ensure no tolerance for terrorism, regardless of the targets or motives, and reaffirms its call to refrain from organizing, instigating, facilitating, participating in, financing, encouraging or tolerating terrorist activities and to take appropriate practical measures to ensure that their respective territories are not used for terrorist installations or training camps or for the preparation or organization of terrorist acts intended to be committed against other States or their citizens; 35. Encourages Member States to consider better ways to cooperate to exchange information, assist each other, prosecute those who use information and communications technologies for terrorist purposes and implement other appropriate cooperative measures to address such threats; 36. Expresses concern over terrorist acts committed by lone terrorists in various parts of the world, acknowledges the specific challenges created by lone terrorists as they are difficult to detect, and recognizes the need to address this issue expeditiously; 37. Emphasizes that tolerance, pluralism, respect for diversity, dialogue among civilizations and the enhancement of interfaith and intercultural understanding and respect among peoples, including at the national, regional and global levels, while avoiding the escalation of hatred, are among the most important elements in promoting cooperation, in combating terrorism and in countering violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism, and welcomes the various initiatives to this end; 38. Urges all Member States and the United Nations to unite against violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism, encourages the efforts of leaders to discuss within their communities the drivers of violent extremism conducive to 9/15 A/RES/70/291 The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review terrorism and to evolve strategies to address them, and underlines that States, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, religious bodies and the media have an important role to play in promoting tolerance and facilitating understanding, inclusive dialogue and respect for religious and cultu ral diversity and human rights; 39. Recognizes the difficulties faced by the international community in addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism, which can be conducive to terrorism, and urges Member States and the United Nations system to take measures, pursuant to international law and while ensuring national ownership, to address all drivers of violent extremism conducive to terrorism, both internal and external, in a balanced manner; 40. Also recognizes the importance of preventing violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism, and in this regard recalls its resolution 70/254 of 12 February 2016, in which it welcomed the initiative by the Secretary-General and took note of his Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, 9 recommends that Member States consider the implementation of relevant recommendations of the Plan of Action, as applicable to the national context, encourages United Nations entities, in line with their mandates, to implement rele vant recommendations of the Plan of Action, including by providing technical assistance to Member States upon their request, and invites Member States and regional and subregional organizations to consider developing national and regional plans of action to prevent violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism, in accordance with their priorities and taking into account, as appropriate, the Secretary-General's Plan of Action, as well as other relevant documents; 41. Underlines the importance of multilateral efforts in combating terrorism and refraining from any practices and measures inconsistent with international law and the principles of the Charter; 42. Expresses its concern at the increasing use, in a globalized society, by terrorists and their supporters, of information and communications technologies, in particular the Internet and other media, and the use of such technologies to commit, incite, recruit for, fund or plan terrorist acts, notes the importance of cooperatio n among stakeholders in the implementation of the Strategy, including among Member States, international, regional and subregional organizations, the private sector and civil society, to address this issue, while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms and complying with international law and the purposes and principles of the Charter, and reiterates that such technologies can be powerful tools in countering the spread of terrorism, including by promoting tolerance and di alogue among peoples and peace; 43. Stresses that it is essential to address the threat posed by narratives used by terrorists and that, in this regard, the international community should consider developing an accurate understanding of how terrorists motivate others to commit terrorist acts or recruit them, and develop the most effective means to counter terrorist propaganda, incitement and recruitment, including through the Internet, in compliance with international law, including international human rights law; 44. Calls upon all Member States, in accordance with their obligations under international law, to cooperate in efforts to address the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, including by preventing the radicalization to terrorism and _______________ 9 See A/70/674. 10/15 The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review A/RES/70/291 recruitment of foreign terrorist fighters, including children, preventing foreign terrorist fighters from crossing their borders, disrupting and preventing financial support to foreign terrorist fighters, and developing and implementing prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration strategies for returning foreign terrorist fighters, and in this regard encourages all Member States to develop effective strategies to deal with returnees, including through repatriation, in accordance with relevant international obligations and national law; 45. Expresses concern at the increase, in some regions, in incidents of kidnapping and hostage-taking committed by terrorist groups, for any purpose, including with the aim of raising funds or gaining political concessions, notes that ransoms paid to terrorists are used as one of the sources of funding for their activities, including further kidnappings, calls upon all Member States to prevent terrorists from benefiting from ransom payments and political concessions and to secure the safe release of hostages, in accordance with applicable legal obligations, and encourages Member States to cooperate, as appropriate, during incidents of kidnapping and hostage-taking committed by terrorist groups; 46. Encourages all Member States to collaborate with the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre and to contribute to the implementation of its activities within the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, including through the development, funding and implementation of capacity-building projects in order to mobilize a stronger and more systematic response to terrorism at the nation al, regional and global levels; 47. Notes with appreciation the activities undertaken in the area of capacitybuilding, including in the areas of countering the financing of terrorism, border control, maritime and aviation security, and preventing the flow of foreign terrorist fighters, by United Nations entities, including the United Nations Counter -Terrorism Centre and the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force entities, inter alia, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), in coordination with other relevant international, regional and subregional organizations to assist Member States, upon their request, in implementing the Strategy, and encourages the Task Force to ensure focused delivery of capacity-building assistance, including in the framework of the Integrated Assistance for Countering Terrorism Initiative; 48. Encourages the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, including its Terrorism Prevention Branch, to further enhance, in close consultation with the Counter-Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate, its provision of technical assistance to States, upon request, to facilitate the implementation of the international conventions and protocols related to the prevention and suppression of terrorism and of relevant United Nations resolutions and to promote, inter alia, international cooperation in criminal matters related to terrorism, including foreign terrorist fighters, especially with regard to extradition and mutual legal ass istance; 49. Requests the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, whenever appropriate, to take into account in its technical assistance to counter terrorism, upon request, the elements necessary for building national capacity in order to strengthen criminal justice systems and the rule of law; 50. Stresses the need to continue to provide tangible capacity-building assistance to Member States in counter-terrorism matters, recognizes in this regard the need to contribute more resources for capacity-building projects, welcomes in that respect the development of the United Nations capacity-building 11/15 A/RES/70/291 The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review implementation plan for countering the flow of foreign terrorist fighters by the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, and encourages Member States to provide needed financial and other assistance to the Task Force and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre for the effective delivery of the projects mentioned in that plan, in close consultation with Member States; 51. Calls upon Member States to strengthen cooperation at the international, regional, subregional and bilateral levels to counter the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, including through enhanced operational and timely information sharing, logistical support, as appropriate, and capacity-building activities, to share and adopt best practices to identify foreign terrorist fighters, to prevent the travel of foreign terrorist fighters from, into or through Member States, to prevent the financing, mobilization, recruitment and organization of foreign terrorist fighters, and to strengthen international and regional cooperation in information -sharing, and calls upon law enforcement and criminal justice authorities to better counter the threat of returning foreign terrorist fighters, to counter violent extremism conducive to terrorism and radicalization to terrorism, to enhance efforts to implement deradicalization programmes and to ensure that any person who participates in the financing, planning, preparation or perpetration of terrorist acts or in the supporting of terrorist acts or in providing funds to terrorists is brought to justice, in compliance with obligations under international law, as well as applicable domestic law; 52. Expresses concern that international networks have been established by terrorist organizations that facilitate the travel of foreign terrorist fighters to conflict zones, and calls upon all Member States to take appropriate measures to dismantle such networks, in accordance with their international obligations; 53. Expresses its concern at the increasing flow of international recruits to terrorist organizations, including foreign terrorist fighters, and at the threat it poses for all Member States, including countries of origin, transit and destination, and encourages all Member States to address this threat by enhancing their cooperation and developing relevant measures to prevent and tackle this phenomenon, including information-sharing, border management to detect travel, and appropriate criminal justice response, and to consider the use of United Nations instruments, such as sanctions regimes, as well as cooperation; 54. Notes that terrorists may craft distorted narratives that are based on the misinterpretation and misrepresentation of religion to justify violence, which are utilized to recruit supporters and foreign terrorist fighters, mobilize resources and garner support from sympathizers, in particular by exploiting information and communications technologies, including through the I nternet and social media, and further notes in this regard the urgent need for the international community to globally counter such activities; 55. Recognizes the need to continue to take measures to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, in this regard encourages United Nations entities to cooperate with Member States and to continue to provide assistance, upon their request, in particular, to help them to fully implement their respective international obligations to combat the financing of terrorism, and also encourages Member States to further build the capacity of their financial oversight and regulatory systems around the world in order to deny terrorists the space to exploit and raise funds, including by cooperating with the private sector t hrough public-private partnerships with financial institutions and by taking into account the assessments thereof by relevant entities such as the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate; 12/15 The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review A/RES/70/291 56. Encourages Member States and the international and regional organizations to enhance knowledge of and support initiatives to address, in the design and implementation of global, regional and national counter -terrorism strategies, the linkages between terrorism and transnational organized crime; 57. Calls upon Member States to engage with domestic financial institutions and share information on terrorist financing risks to provide greater context for their work in identifying potential terrorist financing activity through multiple authorities and channels, including law enforcement, intelligence, security services and financial intelligence units, and also calls upon Member States to improve the integration and utilization of financial intelligence to more effectively counter the terrorist financing threats; 58. Calls upon all States to adopt such measures as may be necessary and appropriate, and in accordance with their obligations under international law, to prohibit by law incitement to commit a terrorist act or acts, prevent such conduct and deny safe haven to any persons with respect to whom there is credible and relevant information giving serious reasons for considering that they ha ve been guilty of such conduct; 59. Calls upon all Member States to support international efforts to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, urges all Member States to take and strengthen national measures, as appropriate, to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and related materials, equipment and technologies related to their manufacture, and encourages cooperation among and between Member States and relevant regional and international organizations for strengthening nati onal capacities in this regard; 60. Recognizes that improvised explosive devices may be used in terrorist activities, takes note of the work of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force in this regard, and urges its further attention to the issue of improvised explosive devices in line with the mandates of its associated entities; 61. Recalls relevant United Nations resolutions, and reaffirms that Member States shall eliminate the supply of weapons, including small arms and light weapons, to terrorists, as well as prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in said weapons, including their diversion, to terrorists; 62. Calls for the enhanced engagement of Member States with the work of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force; 63. Requests the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force to continue its positive efforts in interacting with Member States, and further requests the Task Force to continue to provide quarterly briefings and to provide a periodic workplan for the Task Force, including the activities of the United Nations CounterTerrori sm Centre; 64. Encourages the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force to work closely with Member States and relevant international, regional and subregional organizations to identify and share best practices to prevent terrorist attacks on potentially vulnerable targets, and recognizes the importance of developing publicprivate partnerships in this area; 65. Recalls all resolutions of the General Assembly on measures to eliminate international terrorism and relevant resolutions of the Assembly on the protecti on of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism and all 13/15 A/RES/70/291 The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review resolutions of the Security Council relating to international terrorism, and calls upon Member States to cooperate fully with the relevant bodies of the United Nations in the fulfilment of their tasks, recognizing that many States continue to require assistance in implementing these resolutions; 66. Encourages all relevant international, regional and subregional organizations and forums involved in the fight against terrorism to cooperate with the United Nations system and Member States in supporting the Strategy and to share best practices, and calls for information-sharing, through appropriate channels and arrangements, on individuals and entities implicated in any type of terr orist activities, their tactics and modus operandi, supply of weapons and sources of material or any other form of support, specific crimes related to perpetration, planning or preparation of terrorist acts, narratives used by terrorists to mobilize resources and garner support from sympathizers, including by exploiting information and communications technologies, and on the ongoing international counter-terrorism cooperation, especially among special services, security agencies and law enforcement organizations and criminal justice authorities; 67. Underscores the role, within the United Nations, of the CounterTerrorism Committee Executive Directorate, including in assessing issues and trends relating to the implementation of Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001, 1624 (2005) of 14 September 2005 and 2178 (2014) of 24 September 2014, in accordance with its mandate and Council resolution 2129 (2013) of 17 December 2013, and in sharing information, as appropriate, with relevant United Nations counter-terrorism bodies and relevant international, regional and subregional organizations; 68. Recognizes that Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and affiliates continue to pose a widespread challenge in the fight against terrorism, encourages Member States to integrate the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida sanctions regime, pursuant to Security Council resolutions 1267 (1999) of 15 October 1999, 1989 (2011) of 17 June 2011 and 2253 (2015) of 17 December 2015, into their national and regional counter -terrorism strategies, including by proposing for inclusion on the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida sanctions list the names of individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, reminds Member States of their obligation to ensure that their nationals and persons in their territory do not make economic resources available to Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, and takes note of the significant contribution of the Office of the Ombudsperson, since its establishment, in providing fairness and transparency to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da 'esh) and Al-Qaida sanctions regime, and stresses the need to continue efforts to ensure that procedures are fair and clear; 69. Underlines the importance of enhancing counter-terrorism efforts undertaken by all relevant United Nations agencies and bodies in accordance with their existing mandates, and encourages the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force to continue its collaboration with those agencies and bodies; 70. Notes the letter from the Secretary-General dated 9 June 2016 regarding the United Nations counter-terrorism architecture, and, welcoming his assurance regarding further enhancing the coordination and coherence of counter -terrorism activities across the four pillars of the Strategy, both at Headquarters and in the field, without changing the overall architecture, as well as his suggestio n that Member States may use the review to make recommendations to his successor, 14/15 The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review A/RES/70/291 requests the Secretary-General to review, in consultation with the General Assembly, the capability of the United Nations system to assist Member States, upon their request, in implementing the Strategy in a balanced manner, including by strengthening cooperation with other international and regional organizations and improving the mobilization of resources necessary for capacity -building projects, with a view to providing concrete suggestions to the Assembly in this regard, by May 2017, for consideration by the Assembly during its seventy -first session; 71. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its seventy-second session, no later than April 2018, a report on progress made in the implementation of the Strategy, containing suggestions for its future implementation by the United Nations system, as well as on progress made in the implementa tion of the present resolution; 72. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its seventy-second session the item entitled "The United Nations Global Counter -Terrorism Strategy" in order to undertake, by June 2018, an examination of the report of the Secretary General requested in paragraph 71 above, as well as of the implementation of the Strategy by Member States, and to consider updating the Strategy to respond to changes. 110th plenary meeting 1 July 2016 15/15