112 UNITED NATIONS AT A GLANCE
A global counter-terrorism strategy “Whether we like it or not, our generation will go down in history as one that was challenged to protect the world from terrorism.” — Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General
The United Nations has long been active in the fight against international terrorism. Reflecting the determination of the world to eliminate this threat, the Organization and its agencies have developed a wide range of legal instruments that enable the international community to take action to suppress terrorism and bring those responsible for acts of terror to justice. Sixteen international legal instruments have been negotiated through the UN dating back to 1963, including treaties against hostage taking, airplane hijacking, terrorist bombings and financing terrorism. A Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee oversees how Member States carry out the commitments they promised after the attacks of 11 September 2001 and works to increase their capability to fight terrorism. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy on 8 September 2006. The Strategy—in the form of a resolution and an annexed plan of action—is a unique instrument that enhances national, regional and international efforts to counter terrorism. Its adoption marks the first time that all Member States have agreed on a common strategic and operational approach to fighting terrorism. Important new initiatives set forth include: »» Improving the efficiency of counter-terrorism technical cooperation, between countries so that all States can play their parts effectively. »» Putting in place systems to assist victims of terrorism and their families. »» Addressing the threat of bioterrorism by establishing a single comprehensive database on biological incidents, focusing on improving States’ public health systems and acknowledging the need to bring together major stakeholders to ensure that biotechnological advances are not used for terrorist or other criminal purposes but for public good. »» Involving civil society, regional and subregional organizations in the fight against terrorism and developing partnerships with the private sector to prevent terrorist attacks on particularly vulnerable targets.