Australia chairs high-level UNSC meeting on counter-terrorism
Today I chaired a high-level meeting of the UN Security Council on counter-terrorism, a key initiative of Australia's November Presidency of the Council.
The meeting will build on the Council's September Summit on Foreign Terrorist Fighters and we took forward recent Council resolutions to step up international cooperation in the fight against ISIL and other terrorist organisations.
The Presidential Statement drafted by Australia and adopted by the UN Security Council today sets out practical steps for improving information sharing between States to prevent travel, recruitment and financing of terrorists. It identifies effective strategies to stop the spread of violent extremism, and better positions the UN to tackle the causes of terrorism and violent extremism, by enhancing coordination between states and delivering more effective capacity building.
I briefed the Council on the actions the Australian Government has taken to combat the rapidly evolving threat of ISIL, including by providing appropriate legal powers to support effective investigations, prosecutions and other counter-measures to combat the threat from foreign fighters. I spoke of our efforts to support the Iraqi Government in its fight against ISIL, which includes the deployment of Australian Special Forces to advise and assist the Iraqi Security Forces.
The causes of terrorism and violent extremism are complex and multidimensional. Our counter-terrorism strategies must too. I urged Member States to work together to coordinate law enforcement efforts, share experiences in countering violent extremism and recruitment of foreign fighters, and build the capacity of all countries to stop the flow of funds to terrorist groups.
Australia is committed to taking a lead role in the fight against ISIL and other forms of terrorism.