Statement by H.E. the Hon Robert Hill, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations, to the General Assembly on Counter-Terrorism Committees
12 November 2008
(As delivered)
Mr President,
Australia wishes to record its appreciation and strong support for the work of the Security Council’s counter-terrorism sub-committees and their respective expert groups. They work to give practical effect to the UN’s counter-terrorism framework and the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy. The Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force also has an important role to play in ensuring system-wide coherence within the UN in tackling terrorism. Australia encourages these committees, and their expert bodies, to continue to explore ways in which to work more closely together, especially in relation to streamlined reporting regimes, assessment missions, and the facilitation of technical assistance.
The long-term objective of Australia’s international counter-terrorism engagement is to develop the ability of partner countries to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks. As part of this effort, Australia works collaboratively with countries in the Asia–Pacific region to implement Security Council Resolutions and international instruments to combat terrorism.
Counter-Terrorism Committee/CTED
Australia strongly supports the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and its Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) in advancing the implementation of resolution 1373 and its successor resolutions. We welcome CTED’s proactive approach to implementing its mandate, and support the renewed emphasis on the delivery of technical assistance. We support CTED’s close cooperation with the G8 Counter-Terrorism Action Group (CTAG) in helping to deliver more targeted capacity-building assistance to Member States.
We welcome other innovations, such as the draft technical guide to implementation to resolution 1373 that is under development. We also appreciate the transparent approach being taken by the Committee and CTED through its program of outreach and regular briefings to Member States, the most recent of which was held last week.
1267 Committee
Australia recognises the vital work of the 1267 Committee in the UN’s counter-terrorism efforts and is committed to ensuring full compliance with UNSCR 1267 and its successor resolutions. We welcome the Committee’s efforts to engage more closely with Member States and regional bodies.
Australia commends the Committee for its efforts to disseminate information on listed individuals and entities, and to provide updates of existing listings to Member States in an effective and timely manner. Australia welcomes the greater transparency that will be brought to the listing and de-listing processes through implementation of resolution 1822.
We encourage Member States to designate terrorists domestically and to implement their obligations to freeze the assets of individuals and entities that commit and support terrorist acts. The effectiveness of the 1267 Committee is directly related to the relevance and currency of the Consolidated List and we encourage further efforts to this end by the Committee in its outreach to, and dialogue with, Member States.
1540 Committee
Australia particularly welcomes the 1540 Committee’s continued focus on facilitating assistance to Asia-Pacific countries to fulfil their 1540 obligations. We commend the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs, in cooperation with the Governments of Thailand, Norway and the European Union, for organising the Asia-Pacific 1540 regional implementation workshop for border, customs and regulatory officials, held in Bangkok between 27 and 31 October. Australia was pleased to be able to participate and address the workshop on practical, operational measures for border control, and support of export controls.
Such workshops complement Australia’s own outreach on non-proliferation in the Asia-Pacific. In our bilateral and multilateral engagement with regional countries, we offer assistance to further improve and strengthen capacity and expertise where we can. And we continue to expand and enhance our dialogue on non-proliferation and counter-proliferation issues with our regional partners.
At the broader level, as an active member of all export control regimes, permanent Chair of the Australia Group, current Chair of the Missile Technology Control Regime, and one of more than 90 participants in the Proliferation Security Initiative, Australia works actively with other governments to strengthen international counter-proliferation frameworks in support of the goals of resolution 1540.
Thank you.