Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism Sends United Message to Confront Extremism
The United States of America has welcomed the Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, Ban Ki-moon’s visionary initiative to fight extremism.
In her remarks in New York City, US Deputy Permanent Representative Michele J. Sison said the United States strongly welcomes the Secretary-General’s comprehensive plan to combat extremism and commended Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for his initiative.
“This Plan provides actionable recommendations that states should begin considering immediately.” – Ms. Sison
“All-of-UN” Approach for Implementing Key Parts of UN’s Global Counterterrorism Strategy
According to Ms. Sison, the plan provides a framework for the UN System, with all of its various agencies, offices, missions, and programs, to advance these goals as well.
Along with the plan, the United States particularly welcomed the Plan’s core recommendation that each Member State develop its own comprehensive national action plan to prevent and counter violent extremism.
In addition, the US supports the plan’s call for greater regional and international planning to prevent and counter violent extremism – such cross-border cooperation is critical in today’s interconnected world.
Finally, Ms. Sison highlighted that the United States appreciates that this plan provides the basis for the first-ever “All-of-UN” approach for implementing key parts of the UN’s Global Counterterrorism Strategy.
“To stay ahead of this threat, the UN must better coordinate among its many internal offices and agencies.” – Ms. Sison
US Looking Forward to Work With UN System Organizations and Partners
Ms. Sison pointed out that the U.S. looks forward to working closely with partners, both Member States and UN System organizations, to ensure that the UN is best positioned to support implementation of the plan’s recommendations. And this means making existing assistance more directly relevant to preventing violent extremism in specific contexts, as well as designing new programs.
And finally, Ms. Sison underscored that the Secretary-General’s plan provides a framework today, a set of principles to accomplish the shared goals of fighting terrorism and confronting violent ideologies.
Extremism Undermines Security and Development
Ms. Sison said violent extremism can undermine security and development around the globe.
She pointed out that from Jakarta to San Bernardino, from Paris to Ouagadougou, terrorists seek to expand their reach and resonance.
“They exploit ongoing conflicts, join forces with criminal networks, find safe haven in weak and repressive states, and propagate hate and recruit via social media.” – Ms. Sison
In addition, defeating terrorists on the battlefield is not enough. That is why it is crucial to address the fundamental drivers of violent extremism.
It is then timely and helpful that Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism was adopted to mobilize the United Nations in pursuit of the same goals to combat extremism.
What Embodies the Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism?
The Plan includes Secretary-General calls for a comprehensive approach and systematic preventive steps to address the underlying conditions that drive individuals to join violent extremist groups.
The Plan also calls for concerted action by the international community to address extremism.
In addition, the Plan provides more than 70 recommendations to Member States and the United Nations System to prevent violent extremism.
