An overview of the meeting. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Deputy head of Việt Nam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations Ambassador Phạm Hải Anh urged international cooperation and solidarity in order to seek the most effective response to combat terrorism in the face of a serious threat posed by the so-called Islamic State’s activities in recent times.

He made the statement at a UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting held on August 19 to discuss the threat of the Islamic State (also known as Da’esh) to international peace and security. It was chaired by Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister for External Affairs of India - the council's chair for August.

The ambassador underlined the need to promote comprehensive anti-terrorism measures and ensure joint efforts are in line with the UN Charter and international law. 

The Security Council should effectively use available tools to detect and avert new threats of terrorism, he said, calling attention to terrorists' use of the internet and new technologies to raise money, recruit and propagate their agendas. 

Under-Secretary-General for the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov, and Director of the Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) Michele Coninsx said early this year, the social distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the organisation of terrorist activities in areas without hostilities. However, the terrorist threat is increasing in war zones. Notably, IS affiliates and related organisations have shown signs of extending their presence in West Africa, the Sahel, East and Central Africa, Afghanistan and other parts of South Asia. 

The presenters also underlined the need for a definitive humanitarian solution to the thousands of people in the camps in Iraq and Syria. Most of them are women and children believed to have relations with terrorists. More counter-terrorism efforts are needed from the national, regional to global levels, they said, emphasising the central role of the Security Council on the issue.

UNSC members shared concerns about the latest developments in Afghanistan, stressing the need for comprehensive measures to prevent terrorists from using the area as a "safe haven".

Also on August 19, the Security Council countries agreed to issue a press statement on the content exchanged at the meeting, which reaffirmed the determination of the international community in eliminating terrorism. The statement also emphasised the need to strengthen international cooperation on counter-terrorism in a comprehensive way to maintain peace, stability, and development. — VNS