Qatar Participates in Tenth GCTF Ministerial Plenary Meeting
New York / Information Office / September 26
The State of Qatar participated in the Tenth Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) Ministerial Plenary Meeting, held on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Qatar's delegation was headed by HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi.
The meeting was attended by Special Envoy of the Foreign Minister of the State of Qatar for Counterterrorism and Mediation of Conflict Resolution Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani.
In his statement to the meeting, HE the Minister of State explained that within the framework of the commitment of the State of Qatar to combating terrorism and violent extremism, it has continued to coordinate with the partners in the Global Counterterrorism Forum, and intensify work with relevant United Nations entities, adding Qatar is at the forefront of regional efforts in the Global Counter-Terrorism Coalition.
His Excellency pointed out that the national institutions in the State of Qatar, including the National Counter Terrorism Committee and the National Anti Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Committee, continued to follow closely the implementation of the measures contained in the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the relevant Security Council resolutions on combating terrorism and its financing.
His Excellency added that in light of the importance of tackling the root causes of terrorism, Education Above All Foundation in Qatar continues its programs around the world to ensure that children and young people have access to education, in order to protect them from being victims of terrorism and extremism. In partnership with the United Nations, Silatech is working in the State of Qatar to implement programs in the Arab region to enhance youth capacity, he added.
His Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar had intensified its efforts, both bilaterally and internationally, to combat transnational organized crime and human trafficking and to dry up the sources of funding for such activities, in view of the close link between terrorism and transnational organized crime.
His Excellency pointed out that in December 2018, the State of Qatar and the United Nations signed an agreement to support strategic initiatives to address the scourge of terrorism, with Qatar offering a contribution of USD 75 million to the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre.
HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs pointed out that work is underway to establish a global center in Doha to implement behavioral visions on violent extremism, and the State of Qatar will provide USD 5 million to establish and cover the work of the Center, in line with the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum approach, and to support United Nations entities dealing with counter-terrorism and violent extremism.
His Excellency added that achieving these common goals require regional cooperation and coordination among the relevant national bodies, adding that taking individual measures and policies undermine the efforts of this forum to combat terrorism. Respecting the fundamental principles of international cooperation is the way to root out terrorism and extremism, he added.
His Excellency reiterated that the State of Qatar will spare no effort to support the plans and programs of the Global Counter-Tterrorism Forum and all relevant international and UN institutions.
His Excellency appreciated the Kingdom of Morocco and the Kingdom of the Netherlands for their valuable efforts in leading the Forum, stressing the continuation of the State of Qatar's partnership with the Member States of the Forum.