Qatar Participates in International Conference on Regional and International Cooperation in Counter-terrorism

Qatar Participates in International Conference on Regional and International Cooperation in Counter-terrorism

Dushanbe / Information Office / May 18

Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe hosted today an international conference on regional and international cooperation in counter-terrorism and its financing through drug trafficking and organized crime. The conference was held in cooperation with the State of Qatar, the United Nations, the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

The State of Qatar's delegation was chaired by HE Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar for Counterterrorism and Mediation of Conflict Resolution Dr Mutlaq bin Majid Al Qahtani.

HE the Envoy thanked the government of the Republic of Tajikistan for hosting the conference in cooperation and partnership with the government of the State of Qatar, the United Nations, the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. He said that this was further proof of the strong and strategic partnerships the State of Qatar has in the field of countering terrorism and its finance.

He said that terrorism and its financing represent a grave threat to international peace and security. He added that the international community has a collective responsibility to counter terrorism and its financing in line with international law and UN Security Council resolution number 2467, which calls on all countries to prevent terrorist acts and bans the provision of all support to people or organization involved in terrorist attacks.

He stressed that combating the financing of terrorism remains one of the most important priorities for the State of Qatar, highlighting the legislation that the country adopted in that regard. He added that the country has also ratified the majority of international and regional counter-terrorism agreements, and established national mechanisms in the fields of counter-terrorism in line with UN Security Council resolutions. He then said that Qatar is working closely with the designated UN agencies. He said that the State of Qatar has recently contributed $75 million to the UN Counter-Terrorism Office in support of its mission and goals over the next five years.

He highlighted the relationship between terrorism and Transnational organized crime, saying that it has become tangible and dangerous. He highlighted that these groups also began carrying out very complicated transactions using the internet, stressing that governments will need to cooperate as they can no longer face these threats alone without coordination.

He added that an important issue to focus on in the conference is the adverse impact regional conflicts have on advancing joint efforts in the field. His Excellency noted that terrorism thrives in instable environments, adding that wards and conflicts became an important element that is feeding terrorism and extremism. He gave an example with the armed conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa, which led to the undermining of group efforts in combating terrorism and ultimately to weakening the border security of those countries. His Excellency stressed that the region's instability paved the way for criminal organizations and terrorist networks to prosper. He highlighted that criminal organizations have changed their tactics, and now have ties with extremist groups in those regions.

He highlighted the potential of using the war zones not just for drug trafficking, but for illegal arms dealing that would include the components for weapons of mass destruction. He said that the State of Qatar has expressed its concern over the danger the lack of cooperation regionally poses to resolving these threats.

He added that the international community cannot just stand helpless as some countries interfere in the internal affairs of others, in clear violation to the sovereignty of these countries.

In concluding his speech, the Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Counterterrorism and Mediation of Conflict renewed the commitment of the State of Qatar to cooperating with all countries as well as regional and international organizations in achieving joint goals.