Saudi Gazette report

Riyadh — UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres thanked the Kingdom for its generous support to the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre.

Addressing the 16th meeting of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Center Advisory Board here on Tuesday, Guterres said the Centre would probably never have been able to be born without the Kingdom’s support.

“This meeting is an opportunity to look at how the Centre can enhance its capacity-building assistance to member states to counter the evolving threat of terrorism,” he said.

Guterres said military and security measures against terrorism are important, but the crucial thing is to address underlying conditions that are conducive to young men and women being lured by terrorism and violent extremism. “No one is born a terrorist, and nothing justifies terrorism, but we know that factors such as prolonged unresolved conflicts, lack of the rule of law and socioeconomic marginalization can all play a role in transforming grievances into destructive action,” he said.

The secretary general said the Centre should continue to meet the changing needs of member states for counter-terrorism capacity-building support.

He announced that in June the first United Nations High-level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States will be convened.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Center and the Arab Interior Ministers’ Council.