The United Arab Emirates has emphasized the importance of adopting a proactive approach by the international community to prevent terrorism. The country welcomed yesterday’s meeting of the UN Security Council in an informal format (known as an “Arria-formula” meeting) on enhancing the capabilities of member states to follow a gender-sensitive approach in combating terrorism.
In a statement delivered during the session, Fatima Yousif, Senior Secretary at the UAE Mission, stressed the need for the international community to adopt a proactive approach to prevent terrorism, based on developing a better understanding of the factors that contribute to extremism.
The UAE’s statement welcomed the focus of the meeting on building the capacities of member states in the fight against terrorism, with a gender perspective. The statement also highlighted the importance of helping victims and survivors in cases of armed conflict, as well as the full and equal participation of women in combating extremism and promoting tolerance in communities.
The statement also referred to the recent unanimous adoption by the Security Council of the first-ever resolution on “tolerance, peace, and international security,” which was co-drafted by the UAE and the United Kingdom. The resolution recognizes that hate speech, racism, extremism, and gender discrimination can lead to the outbreak and exacerbation of conflicts, and that gender equality and the full and equal participation of women can contribute to countering extremism and promoting tolerance in societies.
The UAE’s statement focused on prevention, protecting the rights of victims and survivors, and increasing women’s participation in criminal justice and security institutions. It highlighted the importance of early warning mechanisms that take a gender perspective into account and called on the international community to adopt a proactive approach to prevent terrorism.
The statement also noted the importance of protecting the rights of victims and survivors, including building the capacities of relevant institutions, such as those working in criminal justice, as well as providing healthcare and social support and reintegration into society. The UAE emphasized the positive impact of promoting women’s participation in justice and security institutions, especially at the managerial and supervisory levels, to achieve balanced decision-making.
In conclusion, the UAE reaffirmed its commitment to continue enhancing the integration of the women, peace, and security agenda and the counter-terrorism agenda. The country currently chairs the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee for this year and co-chairs the informal expert group on women, peace, and security with Switzerland.
